El Altar Trek

3 days

Duration

4/5

Difficulty

El Altar (5319 m. / 17.451 ft.) is one the most spectacular mountains of Ecuador. The Incas called it Capac Urcu – sublime mountain. A long time ago, El Altar was the highest mountain of Ecuador, and some studies even say that it was the highest of the world. A huge eruption almost completely destroyed the cone, leaving 9 snow-capped summits in a horseshoe shape around an enormous crater lake. El Altar is part of the Sangay National Park, that is home to condors, Andean gulls, white-tailed deers and foxes.

Short itinerary:

Day 1: Riobamba – Hacienda Releche – Collanes River
Day 2: Collanes River – El Altar’s crater lake – Collanes River
Day 3: Collanes River – Riobamba

Next confirmed departure date (private tours can start on any date):

Note: not possible during raining season

Low budget option: It is also possible to do this trek in only 2 days. If you choose this option, you will combine the itineraries of day 2 and day 3. You will also sleep in a tent, but the price for this shorter option is only 290 US$ p.p.

Day 1: Riobamba - Hacienda Releche - Collanes River

At 9:00 am we leave Riobamba. After a 1-hour drive we reach the Hacienda Releche, at 3200 m. / 10.499 ft. altitude. We put our equipment on pack horses and start to hike up a steep hill. After 1 hour we reach the trail to El Altar and soon we will enjoy the first views of the extinct volcano and the valley of Collanes river. We continue hiking for about 5 hours until we reach the Collanes shelter at 3850 m. / 12.632 ft., where we will spend the night.

Day 2: Collanes River - El Altar's crater lake - Collanes River

After breakfast we follow the Collanes Plain to El Altar’s crater lake. From the plateau at 4300 m. / 14.108 ft., the highest point of this trek, we have marvellous views of the turquoise-green lake and the snow-capped peaks. Condors are still seen around here. In the afternoon we return to the refuge.

Day 3: Collanes River - Riobamba

In the morning we hike down from the refuge to Releche. From here we drive back to Riobamba. Arrival at about 14:00 hour.

Difficulty: moderately difficult; a basic acclimatization is highly recommended
Departure: any day with minimum 2 persons

Note: It is also possible to do this trek in only 2 days. If you choose this option, you will combine the itineraries of day 2 and day 3. You will also sleep in a tent, but the price for this shorter option is only 290 US$ p.p.

Inclusive in this El Altar Trek:

Inclusive:
– naturalist guide
– transportation from / to Riobamba
– accommodation in refuge (if you choose the 2 day option, you will sleep in a tent)
– meals and coffee, tea, purified drinking water
– pack horses for the equipment
– equipment

Exclusive:
– (soft) drinks
– Personal spendings
– Tips