DIFICULTY:
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DURATION:
10Days/ 9Nights
HIGHLIGHTS:
Trail running in Ecuadorian Andes.
Trail running Andes 10 Days / 9 Nights
Trail running in Ecuadorian Andes.
Are you a trail running fan? Ecuador is the perfect destination to train and develop your skills in the mountain. With amazing mountains to run with moorlands, rock and sandy terrains, from easy to technical routes and most of all training in altitude, you will be ready for any objective or race! Here we present a trail running itinerary in the Ecuadorian Andes ending with Cayambe 5790m summit.
Day | Program | altitudein m | *Trekking | *Drive | Accomodation | altitudein m accomodation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ilaló | Casa Puembo | 3169 | 2400 | 3-4 | 15-20 |
2 | RucoPichincha | Casa Puembo | 4696 | 2400 | 4-5 | 10 |
3 | Corazón | ChuquiraguaLodge | 4780 | 2500 | 5-6 | 15-20 |
4 | Day off | ChuquiraguaLodge | 2500 | 2500 | – | – |
5 | Iliniza North | ChuquiraguaLodge | 5116 | 2500 | 6-7 | 10-15 |
6 | Rumiñahui | Tierra del Volcán | 4700 | 3300 | 5-6 | 10-15 |
7 | Pasochoa | Casa Puembo | 4200 | 2400 | 6-7 | 15 |
8 | City tour and rest | Casa Puembo | 2800 | 2400 | – | – |
9 | Cayambe refuge | Mountain refuge | 4600 | 4600 | – | – |
10 | Return to Quito | – | 5790 | – | 10 hour walk | – |
*Approx. in hours
Itinerary 10 days / 9 nights
Day 1: Ilalo 3169m / 10458ft
After breakfast we head to the foothill of Ilalo. This is the mountain of the outskirts of Quito, very common for trail runners and local mountain bikers. The route starts at El Tingo park and going a steep uphill to the cross. Then we traverse to the maximum summit to get down through the downhill. A 3-4 hour run, 10-15km distance. 800m / 2640ft positive slope.
Accommodation: Casa Puembo
Meals: Box Lunch, dinner
Day 2: Ruco Pichincha 4696m
Early pickup at your hotel. Today we go run to the “mountain of Quito” (4,696m) with a breathtaking view of the capital of Ecuador. We go from Quito to the Teleferiqo cable car stationto take the gondolas and arrive at a 4,100m altitude. The running tour takes almost 4-5 hours there and back. On a nice day you can see the entire glacier mountains of Ecuador and the city at our foothill. A fun run through the moorlands and with a short rock patch to the summit. We transfer to the hotel for overnight. 10km distance, 600m / 1969ft positive slope.
Accommodation: Casa Puembo
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Day 3. Corazón 4781m / 15777ft
The Corazón mountain is called this way due to its shape, similar to a human heart upside down. It has a fantastic view toCotopaxi, Rumiñahui, Illinizas, Sincholagua, Pasochoa, Pichincha, Atacazo, etc. Our run starts at 4000mts (13’200feet) to the summit at 4781mts (15’777feet), it will take us around 5-6 hrs. We will drive back to our lodge to rest. 15-20km distance, 781m /2562ft positive slope.
Accommodation: Chuquiragua Lodge
Meals:Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Day 4: Day off
Today is an easy day, we rest at our lodge to gain back some energies because altitude can take a toll on our bodies if we run high everyday. We can do a quick jog around the lodge or do extra activities (additional costs) such as horseback riding or relaxing at the spa.
Accommodation: Chuquiragua Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Day 5. Ilinizas Reserve – Iliniza North 5116m/16785ft
The journey takes us about 30min to the Virgin statue nearly at 4000m. Traversing moorlands and a small polilepis forest, the hike is very scenic with great views of the valley. One of the most beautiful mountains to run in central Andes. A 6-7 hour run, 15km distance. 1116m /3661ft positive slope.
Accommodation: Chuquiragua Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Box lunch, dinner
Day 6. Rumiñahui 4700m / 15420ft
This morning we head to the Cotopaxi National Park. The imposing Rumiñahui with 4700m is waiting for us. We start our run at the edge of the stunning Limpiopungo lagoon at 3900m / 12795ft with views to the activity of Cotopaxi. We go up to Rumiñahui traversing moorlands and ending with a fun sand and rock part. A 5-6 hour run, 10-15km distance. 800m /2625ft positive slope.
Accommodation: Tierra del Volcán
Meals: Breakfast, Box lunch, dinner
Day 7: Pasochoa 4200m / 13780ft
The Pasochoa, an extinct volcano that is very fertile in consequence of the lava and the thousands of years that passed by the eruption. Covered in Andean forests and moorlands, you can findmany different species of plants, trees, animals and insects. We start at 3400m and head up to arrive to a beautiful plateau with amazing views to Cotopaxi, Sincholagua and Antisana on a clear day. Our run takes about 6-7 hour run, 15km distance, 800m /2625ft positive slope. We come back to Quito to rest.
Accommodation: Casa Puembo
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Day 8. City tour of Quito and rest day
Today we need to rest and recharge energies. We have a cultural day visiting the Colonial Quarter of Quito, designated by the UNESCO a World Cultural Heritage Site. Beautiful plazas, churches and the local life will charm you. We go back to the hotel to rest for the afternoon.
Accommodation: Casa Puembo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9: Cayambe refuge 4600 m
Today we head to the Cayambe volcano, the third highest mountain in Ecuador after the Chimborazo and the Cotopaxi. We will drive to the Oleas refuge (4600 m). Here we will get accommodation and enjoy the spectacular view over the Ecuadorian highlands. Food will be served at the refuge and we will spend the night here.
Accommodation: Mountain Refuge
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Day 10: Cayambe summit 5790m /18996ft
Our hiking ascension will begin at midnight. Cayambe ascension is not of a technical type, it consists in crossingsome crevasses and going uphill through the glacier. We reach the peak early in the morning where a spectacular view will be presented in front of us: Cotopaxi, Antisana and even Chimborazo on a clear day. For the ascension and back we will need around 9-10 hours. Then we return to Quito to rest after a quick lunch on the way.
Accommodation: Not included
Meals: box lunch breakfast (ascent), 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