On Cotopaxi, Ecuador — through snow and ice, around 5,200 meters

On Cotopaxi — through snow and ice, around 5,200 meters.

ECUADOR | Sumak Kawsay

Living in harmony with earth, sky, and people — from the Andes to the Amazon

Some places stay with you. In Ecuador, the journey began among the peaks of the Andes — climbing Pasochoa, Corazón, Illinizas Norte, and Cotopaxi — followed by days in Quito, and a long overland journey to reach Cuyabeno, where we traveled by boat deep into the Amazon.

From high ridges to dense jungle, from thin air to humid forest, it became a trip about more than summits or distances — a quiet movement through land, water, and sky.

Hike to Pasochoa volcano (4,199 m), Ecuador

Climbing Pasochoa — extinct volcanic crater

Summit of Pasochoa (4,199 m) with Cotopaxi in the distance

Pasochoa summit — 4,199 m.

Summit of Illiniza Norte (5,126 m), Ecuador

Illiniza Norte summit — 5,126 m rise in the Andes.

Climbing Cotopaxi via snow and ice

Cotopaxi climb.

Walking through Quito’s colonial streets

Walking through Quito’s colonial streets.

Equator Monument near Quito — marker of north and south hemispheres

Standing on the Equator line, where north meets south.

Quito Metropolitan Cathedral facade, Plaza Grande

Quito’s Metropolitan Cathedral — baroque and neoclassical style.

Riverboat entering Cuyabeno wildlife reserve

River journey into the Amazon’s Cuyabeno Reserve.

Ceibo tree — Amazon “tree of life”

Ceibo tree — the Amazon’s revered “tree of life.”

Traditional cacao beans being prepared for chocolate in Ecuador

Crafting chocolate — Ecuador’s cacao heritage.

Sunset over Cuyabeno Lake, Amazonas

Sunset on Cuyabeno Lake — rainforest reflections.

Riverside eco-lodge cabin nestled in Cuyabeno rainforest

Eco-lodge cabin deep in the jungle.

Indigenous Amazon guide leading to a local shaman

Meeting a local shaman in the heart of the jungle.

Poison dart frog perched on jungle leaf

Vibrant poison dart frog — Amazon’s dangerous beauty.

Primate skull displayed in Amazon lodge

Monkey skull — relic encountered in the jungle.

Swinging through rainforest vines

Jungle fun — navigating through vines.

Golden sunset through jungle canopy

Sunset through the jungle canopy.

Large Amazon rainforest spider

Jungle spider — Amazon rainforest species.

From cold ridges to deep jungle nights — this was a journey that reminded me: it’s not what you conquer, but what you meet along the way.

Just one story, among many, that helped shape Bang to Being.

Thanks for reading.