DIFICULTY:
▲▲▲▲▲
DURATION:
10Days/ 9Nights
HIGHLIGHTS:
Acclimatization, Altar trekking and Chimborazo ascent.
Ecuador COMBINADO Central Andes + Altar trekking and Chimborazo 10 Days / 9 Nights
Altar Valley trekking, and Chimborazo ascent
This program combines a trek through the central Andes (Ruco Pichincha, Corazón, Iliniza Norte) and the Altar Valley and Chimborazo climb. Originally, Altar was higher than Cotopaxi until a gigantic ancient eruption destroyed the cone and the western wall. Today the crater lagoon is accessible, and the remaining mountain consists of nine different peaks. The semicircular shape of the Altar with the famous crater lake Laguna Amarilla, in its center, offers spectacular views while hiking. In the so-called Collanes plain, you will find untouched nature and, of course, an incredible opinion on the volcano itself, which continues to offer new routes to climb. Chimborazo (6,268m — 20,564 ft.) is the goal of many climbers who come to Ecuador. It is the highest mountain in the country, and if measured from the center of the earth, it’s the highest mountain in the world! The ascent of Chimborazo is not to be underestimated and is undoubtedly the highlight of this trip.
Day |
Itinerary |
Accommodation |
Altitude in m |
Altitude Accommodation in m |
Walk |
Drive |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Rucu Pichincha 4696m | Chuquiragua Lodge |
4696 |
2500 |
5 |
0.5 |
2 |
Corazón 4781m | Chuquiragua Lodge |
4781 |
2400 |
6 |
1.5 |
3 |
Iliniza Norte 5110m | ChuquiraguaLodge |
5110 |
2400 |
7 |
0.5 |
4 |
Altar trekking / Collanes Valley | Tent Camp |
3800 |
3800 |
4 |
2 |
5 |
Laguna Verde Lake / Altar trekking | Tent Camp |
4000 |
3800 |
2 |
– |
6 |
Altar trekking – drive to Chimborazo | Chimborazo Lodge |
4000 |
4000 |
3 |
2.5 |
7 |
Carihuairazo 5018m | Chimborazo Lodge |
5018 |
4000 |
7 |
1 |
8 |
Chimborazo trekking | Chimborazo Lodge |
5000 |
4000 |
4 |
0.5 |
9 |
Drive to refuge, Chimborazo | Whymper Refuge |
5000 |
5000 |
0.45 |
0.5 |
10 |
Chimborazo, Back to Quito | – |
6310 |
2800 |
10 |
3 |
*Approx. in hours
Itinerary 10 days / 9 nights
Day 1: Ruco Pichincha 4696m
Early in the morning we head to the Telefériqo cable cars where we ride the gondola up to 4000m with amazing views of Quito and the Andes. From here we start our trekking towards Ruco Pichincha 4696m, the beautiful rocky mountain overlooking Quito. A great first walk to acclimatize. Then we go to rest to our lodge.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: box lunch, dinner
Day 2: Climbing Corazón 4781m
We have a short drive to the Corazón Mountain which has a fantastic view toCotopaxi, Rumiñahui, Illinizas, Sincholagua, Pasochoa, Pichincha, Atacazo, etc. Ourtrekking tour starts at 4000mts (13’200feet) to the summit at 4781mts (15’777feet), itwill take us around 4hrs up and a couple down. We will drive to our lodge, have dinner and relax in the SPA as tomorrow we will have an early wake up.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Day 3: Iliniza Norte 5116m
Today we have early breakfast and start our next trekking adventure. The journey takes us about 45min to the Virgin statue nearly at 4000m through a bumpy track. The hike to the hut will take us about 2hrs, from the cottage to the main summit of the Iliniza Norte another 2hrs and for the descent, we need about 2-3 hours until we reach our transfer. We head to Chimborazo area, with beautiful moorlands where we can observe vicuñas on the highlands. Our lodge is located at the foothill of Chimborazo with impressive views and a great altitude to recover and acclimatize.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Day 4: Hacienda Releche
We will depart in the morning traveling south to the city of Riobamba. We pass the Panamericana Highway and hopefully we see active Cotopaxi. The route is very scenic through small towns and farmlands. From Riobamba we will start descending to the eastern Andes until we arrive to the town of Candelaria and the Releche farm, which is a nice hacienda to rest.
Accommodation: Hacienda
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Altar trekking – Collanes Valley –Laguna Amarilla
After breakfast with an amazing view to the Collanes Valley and Altar imposing peaks, our day starts early towards the extinguished crater of the volcano at 4,400m where the Laguna Verde Lake is located. It is a thrilling place where the nine alpine summits from Altar can be seen shinning in the sky. At the lake we will have lunch before starting our way down to the valley to rest in our tents.
Accommodation: Tent camp
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Day 6: Altar trekking – Releche Farm – Chimborazo area
After breakfast we pack our tents and prepare to trek back through the beautiful trail to hacienda Releche to take our transfer to Chimborazo area lodge.
Accommodation: Tent camp
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Day 7: Carihuairazo 5018m
In the morning after eating breakfast, we head to Carihuairazo foothill to start our wonderful trekking to this imposing rocky mountain. With beautiful views to Chimborazo and traversing moorlands we conquer this 5000m peak and go back to the lodge to rest.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Day 8: Chimborazo trekking
We enjoy a tranquil breakfast with views to imposing Chimborazo. Then we go for a wonderful trekking around the area and base of the mountain to admire the moorlands, views and meet the Andean camelid, alpacas and vicuñas. We reach the mountain refuges and reach up to 5000m at the base of the mountain. Today we rest, the big challenge comes tomorrow!
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Day 9: Chimborazo, Refuge Whymper 5000m
After a light lunch we drive (4800m Carrel Refuge) up to the first hut of Chimborazo. Then we walk about 45min to the second refuge Whymper. Here we will have early dinner and try to rest. We sleep in the shelter and get up at 10pm. A steep climb awaits us to the top of Ecuador!
Accommodation: Mountain Refuge
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Day 10: Chimborazo 6310 m and back to Quito or extension
The ascent of Chimborazo normally takes 7 hours to the main summit and 3 1/2hr. for the descent. We will thus be on foot for over 10 hours, which will certainly be working our legs. The summit is huge and breathtakingly beautiful. If we are lucky we can see the Tungurahua, an active volcano that spits out ash clouds from time to time, but is not dangerous. After the descent of Chimborazo we drive back to Quito or to our following destination.
Meals: box lunch breakfast, lunch
FULL PACKAGES
Included:
Local certified English/Spanish-speaking mountain guide
Accommodation mentioned above
Private transportation
Meals mentioned in program above
Transportation, Accommodations, meals for all guides and driver
Not included:
- Airfare
Soft and alcoholic beverages
Extras and services not mentioned above
Insurance
Tips and gratuities
Glacier, climbing and extra trekking gear (we can assist with the rental)
Taxes