Altar trekking

Some unforgettable steps.....

Difficulty : moderatly difficulty, 20 Km, 4 to 5 days

Elevation : 3100 to 4300 metres

Maps : IGM 1:50 000 : CT-ÑIV-F1 Volcan l’Altar ; IGM 1:25 000 : CT-ÑIV-D3c Cerros Negros, CT-ÑIV-F1a Lagune Pintada

Best time to visit : December through February are the driest month, April and May can be very wet, the plain can be smoggy and the mud very deep. July and August are the coldest.

Water : Plentifull in streams along most of the route.

Permits and fees : Foreings visitors pay a $ 10 fee to Sangay National Park at the ranger station outside Candelaria

Services : Hacienda Releche rent horses and mules for riding or hauling gear to the Collanes shelter.

Provisions : Only in Riobamba, few basic iems are available in Candelaria.

Description : The Altar volcano is called Capac Urcu (Leader of mountains) by the local inhabitants. Before the prehistoric eruption which destroyed  the West  wall of the crater, the Altar had to be the highest volcano in Ecuador and even in the world. What stays today is not less impressive there: a 3 km diameter circus, with a turquoise blue green lagoon with yellow reflections, overhung by 1000m torn horseshoe shaped cliffs from which summits disappear under magnificent glaciers…There are nine main summits all which a religious name. "El Obispo" (the bishop) on the south face is the highest with 5319 m, followed by « el Canónigo » (the canonized) on the north face with 5259 m.The Andes are endowed with numerous volcanoes but none so impressing while remaining accessible by the trekkers. The Collanes plain is formed by a glacier coming from the breach opened by the eruption, as a royal road it leads directly to the crater. Only the Condor flight can distract you from this landscape. The clear nights of full moon give an unforgettable and majestic image of this circus animated by the echo of ice avalanches which finish in the lagoon …In the South of the volvan, magnificent lagoons extend up to the Alao road. Along the Mandur ropemaker, numerous waterfalls among which one of 400m fed by the Mandur lagoon and which joins the brook Tiaco Chiquito. It is by this valley where you will join the "civilization".

Accès : The trek begins in the hosteria Releche and ends in the said place Inguisay near La Loma, where a vehicle waits for our return.

The trek : Morning departure of the hacienda to join in 5 or 6 hours the Collanes plain refuge, the road overhangs the valley of Río Blanco hanging 1 Km before going again into the valley of Río Collanes. We shall cross some small brooks as Escalera, Pierdra llucha, Rayomachay... Once in the refuge, we can organize small ballads surrounding (ascent of the marked summit 4383 on maps where from the sight is particularly pleasant).

Day 2 : From the refuge it is necessary to count one hour and a half to join the East edge of the plain. Of this point you will have a whole sight of the Collanes plain on the West, the Altar in the East and the numerous waterfalls on the surrounding cliffs. It is necessary to count two hours more to join the plateau at 4300m where from a magnificent sight of the lagoon and the circus waits for you. Return to the refuge to spend the second night.

Day 3 : Early the morning we will take the direction of the Estrellada lagoon. The path crosses by the summit Yanacocha then the Italian Camp. It goes along a ropemaker Mandur crest before arriving to the lagoon plain. During the establishment of the camp you can walk around the Estrellada, Enjoshinada or Verde lagoons if you still have energy.

Day 4 : After the breakfast we shall take the return path by the valley of Río Tiaco Chiquito which goes along the Mandur ropemaker. You will observe several waterfalls among which one of 400m. Arrived at Inguisay, we shall set off until La Loma where from we shall return to Riobamba.

The price includes....

• Transport, guide, meal except the day 3 lunch to Riobamba, at nights in hotel of the arrival to Quito until return at the airport, all the necessary equipment for the campsite except sleeping bag, entrances fee to the national parks.

The price does not include....

• The meals in Quito (arrived at Quito the day before day 1), tips, personal equipments.

to know....

• The organisation and your safety is ours priority, we reserve the right to be able to modify the trekking route according to the level and the possibilities of the group or for climatic reasons. Our Ecuadorian guides are licencied by the ministry of the tourism.
• It is recommended to have its own walking shoes, not supplied sleeping bag.

Copyright(c) 2003 Chimbo Niño. All rights reserved.
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