Your Chance to Climb a Volcano
Five-day trek for £950pp
The stunning Sangay National Park is one of the best locations for high-altitude treks in the whole of South America. Named after the Sangay volcano, the National Park contains several other large peaks and some gorgeous glacial lakes.
On this superb 5-day trek, we will explore some of these glacial lakes as we head up from our base towards the skirts of the crater of the extinct Altar volcano. We will be rewarded with some breathtaking views across the crater and over to other nearby peaks in the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
Detailed Itinerary
Day One – Quito to Releche
Leaving Quito this morning, we will travel by jeep south along the Pan-American highway to the town of Riobamba. From here we will head further southwest to the Hacienda Releche. We will be spending the night here and will be able to enjoy a traditional meal by the hacienda's cosy fire.
Day Two - Collanes Valley
Setting out from the hacienda after breakfast we will have a series of gentle climbs uphill through fields and scrubland, until we reach the Collanes valley. Here we will set up our camp at 3.800m above sea level. The campsite has some fantastic views over towards the Altar mountain ridge and with a bit of luck we'll see gliding condors or hawks above us as we prepare tonight's meal.
Day Three - Laguna Amarilla
Our trek continues today as we travel to the beautiful Laguna Amarilla (yellow lake). First we will climb to the end of the valley so we are able to walk along the steep edges of the Altar crater for an unforgettable view down into the exploded crater. Then we will dip down to the Yellow Lake itself, with its waters given a distinctive colour due to the minerals carried down the slopes of the mountain. After we have had a nice long break at the shore of the lake we will continue our walk to the highest point (4.480 m), from where we have a breathtaking view over the extinct volcano. In the afternoon we will return to the camp in the lovely valley of Collanes.
Day Four - Altar Crater
Today a cross-country trip will take us through the Andean vegetation of the moors of the northern part of the crater edge. From there will have an amazing view over the snow-covered peaks of Chimborazo, Sangay, and Quilimias. If we are lucky we might be able to see condors on their hunt. In the afternoon we will return to our campsite.
Day Five - Back to Quito
After breakfast this morning we will break camp and head back down the Collanes Valley on our way to the Hacienda Releche. We will have a lunch break at the Hacienda and then it's time to head back to Quito up the Pan-American Highway, arriving in the late afternoon.
What's Included?
Our standard price for this Sangay & Altar trek is £950 per person and we can fit this trek into any of our holidays in Ecuador.
That price includes all transport between Quito and Riobamba, overnight accommodation in local haciendas and camping, the services of a guide, equipment, and all meals.