Sample Itinerary
Day One - Quito to Releche
We will leave Quito early in the morning and 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 fireplace
Day Two - Collanes valley
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 our dinner
Day Three - Laguna Amarilla
Today we will continue our climbing tour and 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 Collanes valley.
Day Four - Altar crater
Today's 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 camp.
Day Five - Home sweet home!
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.
Prices
This trek can fit into any of our tailormade Ecuador holidays and the price of £850pp includes the following:
- All equipment, including tents, cooking equipment, sleeping bags, etc
- Sangay National Park entrance fee
- Pack animals
- All transfers to/from Quito
- The services of a guide for the duration of the trip
- All meals
- Two nights accommodation in an Andean hacienda and two nights camping