Ecuador is the trekking country as one can only dream about:
Hidden mountain valleys, meandering brooks, glowing mountain lakes, fantastic views of snow capped mountains, misty mountain forests, wind swept páramo high altitude vegetation, and sometimes one gets a rare glimpse of the huge condor or the spectacled bear and of the indigenous groups who still follow their ancient and traditional lifestyle.
The different trekking options depend upon their difficulty, for beginners or the experimented trekker, but in any case good physical health is strongly recommended.
The treks are good ways to acclimatises for the following mountain climbs and it is possible connect them directly.
The accommodations are in tents, and if possible horses and porters carry the equipment and all the tours are accompanied by an experienced guide and a local guide.
For all the trekking we recommend to bring with your own sleeping bag, trekking shoes, warm clothes and rain coat.
| Trekking in the Cotopaxi National Park |
3 Days / 2 Nights
To the Cotopaxi National Park not only belongs the highest freestanding volcano in the world (Cotopaxi, 5897m) but also other mountains such as Rumiñahui and Sincholagua, beautiful mountain lakes and several pre-Inca ruins.
Day 1 Refugee Cotopaxi
In the early morning, depart from Quito to the Cotopaxi National Park. We drive trough the From the parking lot we walk for about 45 minutes uphill to the refugee José Ribas at 4800 m. After a box lunch we walk more uphill to the glacier and then descend to the first camp place at 3800 m.
Day 2 Limpiopungo Lake – Pre–Incan ruins
Hike of approximately 6 hours through the páramo high altitude vegetation, around the flank of the Rumiñahui to the Limpiopungo mountain lake and the pre-Incan ruins. On the way, picnic and in the late afternoon install camp.
Day 3 Rumiñahui - Quito
After breakfast, ascend to the Rumiñahui peak (4640 m) with panoramic views of Cotopaxi, Sincholagua, and the Illinizas. On the way picnic, return to the camp, and return journey to Quito where we arrive in the late afternoon.
| Expedition to the Sangay Peak |
8 Days / 7 Nights
Excellent physical condition recommended
Best time: December and January
The Sangay is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Even though there has not been a major eruption in the last years, it is always active and spiting out lava rocks, ash, and smoke. Sometimes you can observe hot lava flowing down the hillside, a fantastic spectacle in the night. The Sangay is situated in a very remote area and it is only for those who can endure long hard days of walking and severe weather to get to the base camp.
Climbing Sangay depends upon good weather conditions and volcanic activity.
Day 1 Quito – Riobamba - Alao
Depart from Quito in direction of Riobamba and further on to the small village of Alao, the starting point in to the Sangay National Park. Lunch on the way; dinner and accommodation in Alao.
Day 2 Culebrillas
After the breakfast, we pack the horses and together with the porters and the native guide we start our hike to the Culebrillas valley, a 7 hour walk. Box lunch during the hike, camp and dinner at Culebrillas.
Day 3 Yanayacu
From today on we have to go on without the horses. The way gets too rugged and we have to carry our luggage on ourselves. Hike of minimum six hours to Yanayacu.
Day 4 La Playa
After a six hour walk trough the misty forest and crossing little creeks we arrive at La Playa, the base camp to the Sangay summit. Early dinner and we try to sleep as early as possible.
Day 5 Summit Sangay
At 01:00 am small breakfast and latest at 02:00 am departure to the summit. The climb to reach the crater is about 7 hours. We can stay 30 minutes on the summit to observe the volcanic activity depending on the weather conditions. Descent to the base camp and lunch and afternoon free to rest.
Day 6
Today we would have a second chance to reach the summit if the weather conditions didn’t aloud it the day before. Otherwise we go on a hike in the vicinity of the volcano.
Day 7 Culebrillas
After the breakfast we pack together our camp and hike back to the Culebrillas valley, a seven hour walk without help and all the equipment on the back. Box lunch during the hike and camp at Culebrillas. Here our porters and horses are waiting for us again.
Day 8 Alao - Quito
Hike to Alao, where we arrive after an about seven hour walk with help from porters and horses. Box lunch during the hike. Arrive to Alao in the afternoon. Return journey by private transport to Riobamba and Quito.
3 Days / 2 Nights
The Altar is part of the Sangay National Park and is the fifth highest mountain of Ecuador with 5319m.It is an extinct volcano with several summits which belong to the most difficult climbs in the Ecuadorian Andes. The trekking goes to the crater lake, passing the Páramo vegetation and several small mountain lakes.
Day 1 Quito - Inguisay – Base camp
Departure from Quito in direction of Riobamba and then to Inguisay. Box lunch and then we pack the horses and together with the porters and the native guide we start our hike of about 3 hours to the Altar Base camp Machay de Mandur. Here we will camp the two nights.
Day 2 Crater – mountain lakes
After the breakfast we hike up to the crater lakes Estrellada, Verde Cocha, and Negra Pacha.
With good psysical condition we reach as well the Mandur lake.
3.Tag Inguisay – Quito
We hike back to Inguisay where our private transporte awaits us. Return journey to Quito and on the way in Riobamba we enjoy lunch in a nice restaurant. We arrive in Quito in the late afternoon.
