Condor Trek 3-day guided program
On this 3-day Condor Trek you will hike the Antisana Ecological Reserve alongside Fernando, an ASEGIUM certified mountain guide, and his team.
Andes
3 Days
Jan, Feb, Dec
Description
The complete Condor Trek is a 5-day, 4-night hike that National Geographic Adventure listed in its 2014 Adventure Bucket List. I invite you to join me on a shortened version of this trek. My 3-day Condor Trek starts at the Cayambe-Coca National Park and finishes at the beautiful Antisana Ecological Reserve. Along the way, you will have the chance to see several of Ecuador's natural destinations.
The Condor Trek is named for Ecuador's prized Andean Condor. The huge bird has a wingspan of up to 3 meters. During our Condor Trek, you will probably have the chance to see this incredible bird in the wild. The trek is in a biodiversity hotspot. So, the Andean Condor is just one example of the unique flora and fauna that we will see on the route.
The 3-day trek also takes us to several special natural areas. On the first night we will camp near a nice lake called "Laguna del Volcán." The next day, we will hike from the wet area, passing through rivers and small forests, to higher and drier plateaus.
Subsequently, we will arrive at a spot where we can view the magnificent Antisana Glacier. The Antisana Volcano is completely covered in snow and glaciers, which makes it one of Ecuador's most beautiful yet most dangerous mountains.
On the last day, the trek goes through the base of Antisana. We will hike to reach the Mica Lagoon, which has a great view and beautiful scenery. From here we will be able to observe deer, llamas, and condor and other birds.
The 3-day Condor Trek is an incredible hiking opportunity. We get to experience many of Ecuador's national treasures and in the most natural way- hiking surrounded by nature. You won't want to miss this trek. If this trip description inspires you, contact me today. I also lead a 2-day climb of Antisana.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Permit and entrance fees
Price details
- Please note that lunch and dinner in hotels are not included. Personal equipment is not provided. Insurance is not included.
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito to Laguna del Volcan Camp (3800 m)
We will leave Quito in the morning and drive east to El Tambo Village (3400 m). There we will meet our packhorses. We will load our equipment onto the horses and start hiking on the trail. Most of the time we will be hiking it will be very muddy. We will also be crossing streams and rivers. Because of this, rubber boots are necessary equipment. After 4-5 hours, we will arrive at our first campsite. The campsite is located next to the “Laguna del Volcan” lake. We will spent the night in tents.
Day 2: Laguna del Volcan Camp to Santa Lucia Camp (4300 m)
After eating breakfast, we will continue hiking for about 3 hours through wet areas and small forests until we reach plateaus higher above. We will start to be able to see the huge Antisana glacier and Santa Lucia Lake. We will hike for another 3 hours until we arrive at our second camp in a sheltered valley. We will sleep in tents.
Day 3: Santa Lucia Camp to Quito (2800 m)
The third day starts early. We will hike through the base of Antisana and then take a moderate climb to the Mica Lagoon. This part of the trek will take us between 6 and 7 hours, and is the best chance on the trek to see deer, llamas, and condor. That evening, after enjoying all the views and beautiful scenery, the car will be ready to take us back to Quito.
About the guide
Fernando
4.5
(29)
Mountain Leader
ASEGUIM Guide from Ecuador
Fernando Iza was born and raised in the Cotopaxi Province of Ecuador and knows the country’s peaks intimately. He is an official ASEGUIM mountain guide with more than 18 years of mountaineering experience climbing in all of Ecuador, as well as in South America, Switzerland, France, and the United States.
Fernando has worked for mountaineering companies in Ecuador, Europe and the United States from a young age. Now, he has set up his own basecamp at Ilinizas Mountain Lodge, right next to Iliniza Volcano, Rumiñahui Volcano, and the famous Cotopaxi Volcano. He has summited Cotopaxi more than 637 times and has summitted Chimborazo Volcano close to 200 times.
Fernando got his degree in Tourism Technology at Cenestur Institute, and in 2021 started studying Business administration with Cuosera.
He has completed important courses such as:
- 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. This event was 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)
- Wilderness first aid courses
- Ecuadorian Red Cross courses
- He speaks fluent Spanish and English, as well as a little German, French, Hebrew and Kichua
The most spectacular guided tours that Fernando has done.
- Antisana South Peak Open new rout
- Alpamayo
- Matterhorn
- Denali
Languages
German | French | English
Certificates
ASEGUIM
What people are saying about Fernando
Rushil
Review of Fernando Iza as guide for Pasochoa, Rucu Pichincha, Iliniza Norte, and Cotopaxi plan. Guidance (1/5) - Somewhat reliable guide, informative about the trails and surroundings - Would often climb or descend much faster than us, out of our sight, and leave us to figure out the trail for ourselves - Example: descending from Cotopaxi, he was supposed to guide me and 2 other fatigued climbers back to basecamp, but ran downhill with our porter, disappearing out of view in the dark and turned up on a different trail entirely. Then told us “you have to follow your guide, not each other” as he was 100 yards away on a different fork of the trail. - Not supportive or motivational on the trail, would give vague answers to questions about remaining distance / altitude gain on a trek - Assured us that he would provide training for crampons and glacier traversal on summit night (as we had no prior experience with this), but didn't provide any instruction outside of putting on our crampons. Hospitality (3/5): - Decently hospitable, hosted us at his beautiful mountain lodge satisfactorily - His wife is a great cook and made appetizing dishes for most meals - Other guides like Xavier were very friendly and knowledgable on surrounding areas like Lake Quilotoa and the Tigua region. Logistics (1/5): - Wasn’t up front with us about what costs were covered and what weren’t. We had to pay for 2 hotel stays out of pocket. - Didn’t inform us that technical climbing gear was included as part of package, and would’ve charged us the fees if we hadn’t double checked ourselves. - Hired us a porter for Cotopaxi who didn’t carry most of the gear we requested, and wouldn’t stop to provide us water or snacks as required on summit night Cotopaxi. Lodging (3/5): - Nice lodge nestled in a valley between the mountains - Toilets frequently gave off the smell of sewage - Sheets were changed routinely - Food was served at normal lunch and dinner times and usually consisted of 3 course meals which were again, very well prepared by Fernando’s wife and family Summary: Do NOT choose Fernando as your guide if you a) don't have prior experience with crampons or glacier traversal, b) want a guide that motivates and supports you on your hikes, or c) respects the time and money you have invested into your trip. DO choose Fernando if you are self-sufficient and simply need a guide for the legal requirement enforced by the government to hike Ecuador's high altitude mountains.
AJ
Fernando was great. We had an absolute blast! Logistics were all taken care of, the food was fantastic, and Iliniza Mountain Lodge was gorgeous with plenty of equipment to rent.
Carlos
Very professional guide, we felt safe all the time. The lodging is very nice and has equipment in case you didn't bring enough
John
My guide was outstanding in leading the way to victory onto Cotopaxi Summit. I have been recommending Explore-Share to everyone because of how much I trust and value the program’s mission and the guides. I can’t wait to continue adding more journeys with Explore-Share 🏔️
Mario
Fernando was excelent, I fell secure with all his experience. TOP!
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