Trekking to the Altar Volcano with a guide

A hiking trip to the Altar Volcano led by Fernando, a local ASEGUIM guide and his team. You can spend 2, 3 or 4 days in this area of the Sangay National Park.

2 Days

All year

Description

I am happy to invite you to this amazing trekking program which takes place around the Altar Volcano. It is a hiking trip that can be done in 2, 3 or 4 days depending on your wishes and time in Ecuador.

As you may know, the Altar volcano is an inactive volcano lying on the west of the famous Ecuadorian Sangay National Park. It is 170 km south of Quito, the capital of the country.

Although nowadays it is extinct, the Altar presented volcanic activity around 2 million of years ago. In addition, it still contains a boiler open to the west, where the Yellow Lake lies.

As for the itinerary of this program, we’ll meet in Latacunga from where we will move to Hacienda Releche, our trailhead. Then, we will walk through the Valley of Collanes for about 6-7 hours. We’ll spend the first night at the Collanes hut, under the boiler of the Altar volcano.

In our second day, we will visit the amazing Yellow Lake and hike back to Hacienda Releche. Finally, a transfer will take us to Latacunga again, where this program ends.

Of course I can extend the duration of the trip according to your wishes. That’s why it’s very important that you contact me as soon as you can.

Once you get in touch with me we can plan and organize the perfect program for you. I will be here, waiting for your message.

Fill out the form and let’s trek in the Altar volcano!

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Transport during the trip
Permit and entrance fees
Porters
Luggage transfer

Meeting point

Itinerary

Day 1: Latacunga (2800 m) – Hacienda Releche – Collanes Hut (3900 m)

We will leave very early in the morning (at around 4:30 AM). From Latacunga we will drive south by the the Panamerican highway through the famous Avenue of the volcanoes. We will finally get to the Hacienda Releche, where we will have breakfast and get us ready to start the hike.

So, we will pack our luggage, the equipment and provisions with the help of the porters. Once ready, we’ll start ascending to the Collanes Valley. It is a walk that takes approximately 5 to 7 hours by a bridle path that the farmers used to graze their cattle. We will stay in the Collanes hut for the night, from where we will enjoy spectacular views of the snow-covered peaks around. Meals included: breakfast, box lunch and dinner.

Day 2: Collanes – Yellow Lake (4480 m) – Latacunga

We’ll wake up and have breakfast at 4:30 AM. Then, we will continue hiking until we are at the Yellow Lake, in the center of the crater, at more than 4480 meters of altitude. From here, you will have a stunning view of the glaciers, the walls of the Altar volcano and all the Valley of Collanes and its mountains. This tour will take approximately 2 to 3 hours. Along the way we will surely see the Andean condors flying.

We will have lunch on the way back to the hut. Finally, we will return to the city of Latacunga. Meals included: breakfast and box lunch**.**

Details

More info

Not included in the price:

Personal equipment;
Any type of insurance;
Other expenses not specified.

What to bring?

Comfortable backpack (take into account everything you have to load)
Warm and comfortable clothing
Hat and mitts
Sleeping bag
Extra gloves (recommended)
(Highly recommended) rubber boots
Replacement light shoes for living in hut
Waterproof jacket or poncho of water
Walking sticks (help super well)
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Bottle of water
Headlamp
Warm clothes for the hut (protected in plastic bags)
Grooming Kit
Clothes to leave on the bus

FAQs

What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?

We understand that finding the perfect place to stay is an essential part of your adventure experience. To help you with this, we’ve curated a list of three highly recommended hotels that offer comfort, convenience, and a touch of local charm. These accommodations are well-suited for adventurers looking to relax and rejuvenate after an exciting day of exploration

Hotel San Andres Latacunga Ecuador

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Hotel Samari Latacunga Ecuador

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Hotel Rosim Latacunga Ecuador

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About the guide

Fernando

4.5

(24)

Mountain Leader

ASEGUIM Guide from Ecuador.

I was born and raised in Cotopaxi Province – Ecuador and know the country’s peaks intimately. I have great mountaineering experience of more than 12 years of climbing in all Ecuador, and I also climbed in South America, Switzerland, and France.

I worked for the Nuevos Horizontes refuge on Ilinizas Volcano from a young age and have professional Guide Training, and I am officially Licensed as a Nature guide organized by the Ministry of tourism.

Some of the guiding courses I attended are:

* Mountain Guides Course by ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides),
* Mountain Guides Evaluation by ENSA (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d'Alpinisme) in October 2006. An event organized by the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador and ENSA of France
* Pre-Course UIAGM an event organized by ASEGUIM and ENSA (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d'Alpinisme)
* First Aids course, Ecuadorian Red Cross

I live and manage a hostel and lodge in El Chaupi, a beautiful mountain village an hour south of Quito, just in between Illinizas Ecological Reserve and Cotopaxi National Park. It looks like a typical Swiss town in the Alps, and has everything to become a great mountaineering center, the ‘Chamonix or Zermatt of South America’!

I speak fluent Spanish, English, and little German, French, Hebrew, and Quichua.

The guiding team I lead is committed and experienced. Contact me to help you organize an unforgettable adventure.

Languages

German | French | English

Certificates

ASEGUIM

What people are saying about Explore-Share

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