Chimborazo Fauna Reserve guided trekking tour

We will drive to the trailhead in Cuatro Esquinas (3.300m). Then we will start our 3 to 4 hour hike to Llama Pungo (4.000 m), on the old “Pan-American” route. I will guide you along an ancient stone highway that passes through tiny villages. They are located on the lower slopes of the southeastern side of Chimborazo. Then, as we hike up higher, we will enter landscapes of farms, full of cattle and sheep grazing in the sloped pastures. Finally, the road will turn into a small path which winds up alpine meadows dotted with glacial creeks and flocks of wild vicuñas and domesticated alpacas.
*Optional: guests who do not wish to camp can arrange accommodation in La Estacion Urbina.

Today, after breakfast, we will hike 5 to 6 hours east, towards our second camp at Alto Urbina (4.219 m).
*Optional: guests who do not want to camp can spend the night in the mountain hut Portal Andino.

Early this morning, we will begin our hike to the Rio Mocha valley. We will circle around Chimborazo Peak directly across from Carihuairazo. Then, as we ascend into the hillside, we will find amazing views of the surrounding mountains. The highest point on today’s hike is at Abraspungo Pass at 4400 metres high. We will stop here to rest and enjoy the views of the surrounding snow-covered peaks. Then I will guide you on our descent to Mechahuasca (4265 m) on the north face of Chimborazo.

Today is the longest hike of the trek. We will hike up for 5 to 6 hours to Carrel Refuge (4.800 m), on the west face of Chimborazo.

On our final day. we will hike for 45 minutes to the Whymper Refuge (5000 m). Then, we will go for a short 2 hour hike along the original Whymper’s Route to the Chamonix Needles (5240 m). This is a spectacular panoramic point in the midst of the glaciated peak of the Chimborazo massif. Then we will start our way down to the Carrel Refuge. As we go down, we will enjoy some of the best views of Chimborazo on our trek! The stunning summit and cascading glaciers of the impressive massif will give us one last spectacular view before we end our trek. Once at the Carrel Refuge, we will descend 3 to 4 hours to La Chorrera (3900 m) where we will meet our ride to Riobamba. The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore the city.
*Optional: guests who do not want to hike down may be transported to Riobamba in a vehicle.