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If your idea of an exciting vacation is exploring the most remote mountains and crater lakes of the Ecuadorian Andes and trekking along hidden trails used by many Indigenous Communities, Then this is the off the beaten track adventure you are looking for! This expedition will take us to the most sacred volcano in Ecuador, The “Altar”. This Andean region has magical star-filled evenings as we sit around a campfire, learning about the ancient fables of the Andes. This adventure of a lifetime, exploring this remote and unexplored volcano hidden amid the Andes mountains, is adventure and exploration in its most unadulterated natural form!
Special features of our 7 day Altar Volcano Expedition Adventure:
Type of Tourism: Nature, Trekking, Adventure, Off the beaten track
Places to Visit: Quito, Cotopaxi, Altar Volcano
Duration: 7 Days and 6 Nights.
Type of Service: group tours.
Accommodation: 3 star hotel where available and luxury camping on the expedition. The equipment is top end and everything is carefully prepared to guarantee that you will feel comfortable and your every need catered for!
DAY BY DAY SCHEDULE
Today is arrival day to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. This well preserved colonial city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. You can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area if you arrive early. In the evening, the guide will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 6 pm. We will discuss the details and questions you may have abou...
View all photosWe will start the day with a scenic drive through the Volcano Avenue, appreciating stunning views of the Cotopaxi, Rumiñahui, Ilinizas, and Tungurahua volcanos. In between these magnificent volcanos are rolling green fields of traditional Andean crops and the Andean mountains. The corn, quinoa and potato cultivations add a splash of colour to this magnificent landscape. After lunch, we will begin our trek, hiking for approximately 5 hours to reach our first campsite.
View all photosToday is our longest trekking day of the expedition, so a hearty breakfast is a must! We will hike along uniquely magnificent trails through the Paramo ecosystem, at high elevation with unique flora and fauna typical of the Andes. The spectacular Mandur lagoon is found at a whopping 4420 metres elevation. We will have lunch and a short rest before continuing back to the campsite where a delicious dinner, cooked by our chef, is the reward for this full day of trekking.
View all photosToday, we will trek to the impressive Altar Volcano, visiting its impressive, yellow crater lake, who’s colour is characterized by the high concentration of sulfur. In the afternoon, after lunch, we will head back to the campsite for the evening.
View all photosToday we will drop in elevation, somewhat different to the higher elevation terrain. We will then drive to the Cotopaxi Province to spend a welcome afternoon relaxing in a Colonial Hacienda.
View all photosAfter a delicious breakfast at the hacienda, we will head out by car to The Ilinizas Ecological Reserve. We will stop along the way at the Toachi canyon to enjoy the spectacular views over the canyon and the surrounding countryside. We will then continue to the Quilotoa Volcano, where we will head out on a hike into its crater. This lake is considered as one of the most beautiful crater lakes on earth, and there is even the option to go kayaking in its crater! We will then either hike...
View all photosToday is the final day of this spectacular Altar Volcano Expedition. We will collect you from the hotel in Quito to head to the airport for your flight back home or to your next exciting destination!
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Transportation: Comfortable land transportation.
- Accommodation based in double occupancy: 5* hotel in Quito, 3 nights in comfortable camping in the Andes, 1 night in a Colonial Hacienda.
- Meals: 6 Breakfast, 5 Lunches and 3 Dinners.
- Activities: Trekking.
- Out-door gear: Trekking stick, Dry bags, Eureka tents, air mattresses, bathroom tent, portable toilet, social kitchen.
- Staff: Certified expert English-speaking adventure trip leader and local guides.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- My Own Room & Tent supplement $340.
- International flights.
- Airport transfers to/from Quito airport.
- Travel insurance (mandatory).
- Meals not described in the itinerary.
- Personal expenses & Tips.
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