The Andes of Ecuador are a dramatic and geologically active segment of the greater Andean mountain chain, characterized by a dense concentration of high peaks and volcanoes. Ecuador’s section of the Andes is divided into two parallel ranges—the Western and Eastern Cordilleras—separated by a long inter-Andean valley. The country contains more than 30 mountains that rise above 15,000 feet, including some of the highest volcanoes in the world. Among them are Chimborazo, Ecuador’s tallest peak at 20,549 feet, and Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes on Earth. Ecuador has 27 potentially active volcanoes, of which 8 to 10 are considered currently active, making it one of the most volcanically active countries in South America.

What sets the Ecuadorian Andes apart from other Andean regions is their extreme elevation over a relatively compact area, the presence of both glaciated peaks and dense páramo ecosystems, and the volcanic origin of many summits. Unlike the Andes in countries like Bolivia or Argentina, Ecuador's highlands are much narrower and feature frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to their location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Ecuador is also unique in that many of its towering peaks lie close to the equator, creating striking contrasts between tropical climate zones and snow-capped summits.