Itinerary

Day 1

Transfer and accommodation at the pre selected hotel.

Day 2

Quito Colonial and Middle of the World - Quito is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Latin America and was declared "Patrimony of Humanity" by UNESCO. On day 2 we will have the opportunity to explore the most important churches, theaters, convents and colonial palaces of Quite as you walk through the small antique streets of the city. In the afternoon, we will visit the monument at the Middle of the World. This monument is well known for its location in parallel 0 and meridian 0, 0´ 0". This evening you will get a good night rest at your hotel in Quito.

Day 3

Altar Trek - Early in the morning (5:30am) we will departure for the city of Riobamba and Penipe. Here we will enter the Sangay National Park and arrive at the Releche Lodge. Our trek will take approximately 4 to 6 hours (12 km). During the rainy season, there is heavy mud making it necessary to wear rubber boots. Mules and porters will carry our backpacks towards the valley of the Collanes to the refuge where we will stay. We will arrive around 3pm and enjoy our lunch. This evening we will have a hot dinner followed by time to relax and prepare for the next day.

Day 4

After breakfast, we will hike to the crater where the "Yellow Lake" is located. The trek through the valley, highlands and mountain forests will take approximately 4 hours. This lake is surrounded by beautiful snowy rocky peaks. After enjoying the Yellow Lake we will return to the refuge for lunch and a relaxed afternoon.

Day 5

After an early breakfast, we will return to Releche, pack our equipment and walk down the valley. This evening we will stay at a nice lodge near Riobamba.

Day 6

Early in the morning we will departure by train on the Devil's nose "la Nariz del Diablo". This is one of the most famous attractions in the Andes. This train goes from Riobamba to Alausí. It is known to be one of the most thrilling railroads in the world, as it climbs steep cliffs and experiences sudden drops, allowing a sensation of being suspended in the middle of the Ecuadorian Andes Range. After the train trip we will have dinner at the Lodge, followed by time to rest to prepare for the next day. The train departs Monday, Wednesday and Sunday from Riobamba at 7:00 am, and arrives in Alausí at approximately at 11:00 am.

Day 7

Hiking North Ilniza 16.814 feet - After breakfast, we have an early departure to the small community of Chaupi near the Ilinizas. We will leave the cars a few kilometers from Chaupi and continue on foot towards the refuge NuevosHorizontes.This trek will take approximately 3 hours depending upon the day's rhythm and weather. At the beginning of the trek we will have the opportunity to appreciate the typical Andean landscape as well as straw valleys, trees such as the polylepys, and the sands until reaching the refuge.Near midday, we will have time for a snack and a small rest. This is a good time to enjoy the view and take photos of the peaks, as the refuge is located between the peaks of the North and South Ilinizas. The trail leading from the refuge to the summit is rocky and it will take three hours to read the top. Our descent will take an additional 2 hours. In the afternoon we will return to Cotopaxi National Park and have dinner at the lodge.

Day 8

Free Day at the lodge located near the Cotopaxi volcano. You will be able to rest or select from a variety of activities including canopy tours, rappelling, mountain biking, trekking tours or horseback riding.

Day 9

Hiking Rumiñahui Volcano15.492 feet -The Rumiñahui has three peaks: North, Central and South. The north peak is the highest and in combination with the South peak represents a greater technical difficulty for ascending. The walk through the central part is ideal to reach the top (15,190 feet). Early in the morning, we will head towards the Laguna de Limpiopungo to begin our ascent. Our climb will take us through highlands, sands and rocks as we climb to the top of this impressive volcano. From the top there is an incredible view of the Cotopaxi, the Sincholahua, the Antisana, the Chimborazo, the Ilinizas and the Corazón. Our ascent will take us between 4 to 5 hours and approximately 2 additional hours to descend. This climb is an awesome experience! After our descent we will rest and prepare for our return to Quito. This evening's accommodations are at a hotel in Quito.

Day 10

Transfer out

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