AAET01 Quilotoa Volcano & Lake 2D/1N
Day
1:
Drive from Quito south following the Panamericana highway. On the way we will
enjoy nice views of Cotopaxi and Illinizas volcanoes. Stop for lunch in a
lovely hacienda. We continue our drive towards Pujili and then up to the
beautiful highlands of Zumbagua to finally reach the small indigenous
settlement of Quilotoa. Overnight in very simple local indigenous houses
located by the rim of the Quilotoa crater. Typical dinner of the region. (L,
D).
Day
2:
Hike (5 hours) from the crater to Chugchilan village while enjoying nice views
of the surrounding highlands. Drive back to Quito or program extension. (B,
BL).
Included:
private
transport, professional guide, noted meals, overnight in local houses, entrance
fees.
Not
included: personal trekking equipment, tips, and other expenses.
Grading:
Easy – moderate
AAET02 Cotopaxi Volcano Hike (5897 m) 2D/1N
Day
1:
Early morning drive from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park. Upon arrival set up
camp tents and start hiking west, up to the foothills of Rumiñahui Volcano. If
weather permits we can enjoy nice views of the Cotopaxi volcano and Mount
Sincholagua. Our trek will take us to the rim of the Rumiñahui volcano at 4200
m. Condors may be seen flying in the heights above the volcano. Back to the
campsite late afternoon. (L, D).
Day
2:
By car we drive up to the parking place at 4600 m. from where a 1-hour hike
will take us to the J. Rivas Cotopaxi refuge located at 4800 m. After warming
up with a hot tea in the hut, we head towards the impressive glaciers of
Cotopaxi Volcano. Enjoy the magnificent views of the ice in the Middle of the World. Walk back to the
parking lot and drive to Quito. (B, BL)
Included:
All
camping equipment, cook, helpers, private transportation, noted meals,
professional guide, all entrance fees.
Not
included: Personal trekking equipment, tips, and other expenses.
Grading:
Easy - moderate
AAET03 Inca Trail to Ingapirca
4D/3N
Starting at the little
village of Achupallas and ending at the Inca ruins of Ingapirca, this trek goes
along colourful landscapes and offers beautiful views of the countryside. The Incas made an impressive system of
roads, which connected Quito, the northern part of their empire, with the south
of Chile. From Achupallas it is possible to follow one of the oldest Inca
trails, leading to the Inca ruins of Ingapirca.
Day 1: From Riobamba
(or Quito) we drive south east towards the little village of Achupallas. This
tour takes about 3 hours and goes through small villages and very colourful
places. In Achupallas our mules are ready to carry our gear and the trek starts
through the grasslands behind the small town. After 3 hours of trek we make our
first camp at 3500 m. (L, D)
Day 2: After breakfast
we continue our next 5-hours trek. At times it is possible to see the old Inca
path, but normally we will trek on one side of it. We start doing a gentle,
easy climb through the highlands till we reach an altitude of 4200 m. We set
our next camp close to the lake “Tres cruces”. The view is spectacular from
this point. (B, L, D)
Day 3: We join the
trail again and trek to reach the highest point at ‘Cuchilla de Tres Cruces’
lying at 4350 m. From here we have a beautiful view of the many lakes in this
area. Those who want an extra dose of adventure can climb the Tres Cruces peak
to its summit (ca. 4700 m). Then we start descending about 600 m. while we keep
following the Inca trail. On the way we can see the remains of a bridge built
by the Incas. After 5 hours of trekking we arrive at the Inca ruins of
Paredones, where we camp for the last night. (B, L, D)
Day 4: We leave
Paredones after breakfast. We start walking and keep descending to the south.
After 2 hours we pass the little village of Cajón Tambo from where we can see
the ruins of Ingapirca, the biggest Inca complex built in the actual Ecuadorian
territory. After another 2 hours of walking we arrive at Ingapirca. A guide
will take us around and explain about the Inca Empire and the Cañari people. In
the afternoon, we drive back to Riobamba (or Quito) or continue our journey
towards the beautiful city of Cuenca. (B, L)
Included: private transport, trekking guide, cook,
pack horses, horse keepers, all meals as mentioned and , entrance fees.
Not included: hotels, personal trekking gear, personal
expenses, extras and tips.
Grading: Easy – moderate
AAET04 Yanahurco de Piñan Trek 4D/3N
Yanahurco means Black Mountain and is a lovely,
steep old volcano located in the Western Cordillera of the north of Ecuador.
This gentle adventure trekking will take us through a beautiful landscape of
lakes, streams and high paramos. With luck we will have a glimpse of the
impressive Condor, the “King of the Andes”.
Day 1: Early
transport from Quito to Iruginchu, a typical Andean village at 2800 m. From
here we start our first day trekking (approx. 3 hours) towards the base of
Churoloma hill. Here we set up our first camp at 3600 m. Along our trek we can
observe small farming areas and polylepis forests. (BL, D)
Day
2:
Today we follow an ancient path (probably belonging to the Inca times) which
goes steeply towards the base of Cerro Huga and then descending south until we
reach the shores of the Yanacocha Lake. From the highest pass at 4200 meters we
have already a view of Yanahurco and Cotacachi volcanoes. We set the third camp
at 4100 m. (B, BL, D)
Day
3:
This day we will climb up to the summit (4292 m) of the Yanahurco volcano
(approx 5 hours). This climb crosses a steep moraine, some volcanic sand and ash
fields. From here (of course if weather permits) we can get a magnificent view
of the Ecuadorian Andes. Afterwards we descend back to our camp by the
Yanacocha Lake (perhaps we move forward to the next campsite at Burrococha
lakes at 4000 m). (B, BL, D)
Day
4:
Today’s trek takes us down towards the Hacienda Hospital (5-6 hours) where we
can enjoy a swim in the nearby hot water springs. From here our vehicle will
transport us back to Otavalo or to Quito. (B, BL)
Included:
All meals during the excursion, professional
mountain guide, camping equipment, cook, and mules for cargo transportation, entrances to parks &
reserves, private transportation.
Not included: Personal trekking equipment, meals in
cities, personal expenses, tips.
Grading:
Easy – moderate
AAET05 El Altar Volcano Trek (5319 m) 4D/3N
This is the fifth highest mountain in Ecuador.
Undoubtedly it involves the most technical climbs and has one of the longest
approaches. El Altar needs no
translations into English and its various peaks all bear church related
names. The highest is El Obispo (the
bishop) 5319 m; the second peak is El Canonigo (the canon) 5260 m, El Fraile
Grande (the great friar); La Monja Grande (the great nun); La Monja Chica (the
little nun); el Tabernaculo (the tabernacle). All of these peaks are
magnificent and a paradise for climbers.
Day
1:Drive
south to Penipe via Riobamba where the hacienda Releche is situated
nearby. First camp at 3100 m. (BL, D)
Day 2: The trek
starts along the muddy paths of Collanes valley, located right in front of the
open mouth of the volcano. Camp at 3500 m. (B, BL, D)
Day
3:
Continue trekking to the inside of the crater to observe the yellow-water
lagoon inside the crater. Enjoy the spectacular view of the hanging glaciers
and the impressive rocky peaks. Camp at
Collanes. (B, BL, D)
Day
4:
Leisurely morning followed by a walk back to Hacienda Releche. Drive back to
Quito. (B, BL)
Included:
All
meals during the excursion, professional mountain guide, camping equipment,
cook, and mules to carry the weight, entrances to parks & reserves, private
transportation.
Not
included: Personal camping equipment, meals in towns, personal expenses, tips.
Grading:
Easy – moderate
AAET06 Antisana Trek (5705 m) 3D/2N