Ecuador Andes Trekking Tours

Ecuador Travel - Altar Trekking - 5 Day Tour

The Altar Volcano (5.320 m) is an extinct volcano and after it had an immense eruption centuries ago it has now the shape of a horseshoe.

The volcano is open on one side and its very sharp peaks reach high up into the sky - a truly amazing scenery! The vertical walls of the volcano are covered with glaciers.

These glaciers fall into the crater-lagoon on a regular basis. The wild and untouched nature around the Altar Volcano is one of the most impressive regions of Ecuador.

The volcano is situated about 30 km east of Riobamba and is part of the Sangay National Park. In this park are also the Sangay Volcano and many different lakes with a variety of colours.

From Quito it will take you about 5-6 hours by car to get to the Hacienda Releche. You will put your luggage on to mules and after that you are ready to start your exciting and unforgettable adventure!

important information

Departure Day: upon request
Price for 5 days starting from: USD 1175.-
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Overview Itinerary
Day 01:	Quito - Hacienda Releche
Day 02:	Hacienda Releche - Camping in the Collanes
Day 03:	Camp - Yellow Lagoon - Camp
Day 04:	Camp - Northern part of the crater edge - Camp
Day 05:	Camp - Hacienda Releche - Quito

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Quito - Hacienda Releche
You will leave Quito early in the morning towards Riobamba through the Avenue of the Volcanoes on the Panamerican Highway. From here you head further south-east. You leave the highway and drive on a small country road into the Andean highlands to the Hacienda Releche that lays at the slopes of the Altar Volcano at about 3.080 m altitude. You spend the night here and will be able to enjoy your dinner and the cozy fireplace that the hacienda has. -/L/D

Day 02: Hacienda Releche - Camping in the Collanes
After a good breakfast you will be prepared to start your hike uphill to the Altar Volcano. On your way you will pass fields and different vegetation types of the paramo (Andean highlands) until you reach the Collanes-valley. There you will set up your base camp (about 3.800 m) and have a wonderful view over Altar mountain ridge. With some luck you can see condors or hawks gliding through the sky. B/L/D

Day 03:Camp - Yellow Lagoon - Camp
You will continue your climbing tour and go to the beautiful yellow lagoon. After that you will climb to the end of the valley. This will give you an excellent opportunity to explore the Andean highlands with its Polylepis and Quishuar Trees, variety of bushes and typical flowers. During this hiking tour you will partly be walking along the steep edges of the crater (4.200 m) from which you will have a wonderful view over the extinct volcano. In the afternoon you will return to the camp in the Collanes Valley. B/L/D

Day 04: Camp - Northern part of the crater edge - Camp
A cross-country trip will take you through the Andean vegetation, moor region and rocky parts in the northern part of the crater edge. From there you will have an amazing view over the snow-covered peak of the Chimborazo, Sangay, Cubillin and Quilimias. If you are lucky then you might observe condors. In the afternoon you will return to your camp. B/L/D

Day 05: Camp - Hacienda Releche - Quito
Today you start your trekking back to the Hacienda Releche. On this hike the luggage will be carried by mules again. At the hacienda your transport awaits you in order to bring you back to Quito. On the way you will once more pass the Andean cities Riobamba, Ambato and Latacunga and with a little bit of luck have can see many of the volcanoes. In the late afternoon you will return to Quito. B/L/-

B= Breakfast L= Lunch D= Dinner

Price 2010:
USD 850. - per person with minimum 4 people
USD 1,175. - per person with minimum 2 people
USD 2,115.- with one person

In the price included:
Private transportation, English speaking guide, meals according to the itinerary, collective camp equipment 1 or 2-pers. tents, foam pad, kitchen gear etc., cook, pack animals, entrance National Park, 1 night lodging in a hacienda.

Not included in the price:
International flight, accommodation and food supply in Quito, personal equipment, tips, travel insurance.

What to bring with you:
Sleeping bag, sunglasses, sun block, rainwear, torch, hat, Trekking shoes, warm clothing, canteen, camera and film (100 ASA).

Note:
This programme can also be made in 4 days, just cutting of the 4th Day. The advantage of this trek is that there is a fix campsite at 3.800 m and we provide all the necessary facilities to make your stay a bit comfortable. If people are tired they can stay in the campsite and do some shorter alternative walks. If there are people showing signs of high altitude sickness, they can quickly descend back to Hacienda Releche.

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