Join Edgar, a local IFMGA certified mountain guide, in the 1-day Corazón summit guided trek. A quick getaway from Machachi to enjoy the wonderful scenery!
Andes
1 Day
All year
This 1-day Corazón summit guided trek is a great opportunity to visit an untouched mountain pretty close to Machachi!
Corazón Volcano gets its name from a heart shape that some claim to see in two gullies. This view is only appreciated from the northwest. And it's a fun fact, interesting to check if you are in the area. Also, unlike other Ecuadorian mountains, Corazón Volcano holds some pre-Columbian ruins in the northeast slopes, that remain undisturbed by humans.
It's located on the western side of the Avenue of the Volcanoes. So the drive from Machachi will go through this wonderful valley until we get to El Chaupi. This small and cozy village is the port of entry to the Los Ilinizas Ecological Reserve. Corazón lies north of the Ilinizas Mountain -which tends to steal all the looks because its higher altitude.
We'll start walking at 4000 m. At the beginning we'll hike through grass. But soon it will become sandy and scrambled. We'll get to the summit, at 4786 m., where we'll go to the southern portion of the crater rim, which is the highest. So we'll enjoy a beautiful scenery while we rest and eat lunch!
The Corazón summit guided trek is perfect if you want to do a familiar acclimatization climb, preparing for higher 5000m or 6000m summits ascents. But it's also a great option to spend a day outside Quito, enjoying great views! It is an 8 hours round trip. So you'll be back at Machachi by late afternoon.
So please contact me if you're interested in reaching the Corazón summit and spend some quality time enjoying nature! And if you have a bit more time to spare and you want to try something longer, check out some other trips: 3-day Cotopaxi trek and 16-day climbing in Avenue of the Volcanoes.
Meeting point
More info
Best months for this trip: December-January and June-July.
4.7
(43)
Mountain Guide
UIAGM/IFMGA-ASEGUIM Mountain Guide from Ecuador.
I am a mountain guide, but also a passionate traveler, climber in rock and ice, and photographer. I spend my free time and holidays exploring new destinations, discovering new mountains and cultures.
I have more than 27 years of experience climbing mountains and volcanoes not only in Ecuador, but also in other South American countries such as Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, and in the Alps in Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Nepal. I also summited KhanTengri peak in the Himalayas, Aconcagua in los Andes and Mt. McKinley in Alaska. This experiences prepared me to lead expeditions in challenging routes all around the world.
I studied 6 years of Tourism in the University, and followed ASEGUIM courses to become a mountain guide. I’ve also been evaluated by ENSA, and completed first aid courses in the Ecuadorian Red Cross.
I like guiding people from all around the world, and help them discover and enjoy the mountains, while reaching their objectives. I speak Spanish, English, German, Italian, and a bit of Russian.
Languages
Russian | Italian | German | English
Certificates
ASEGUIM | UIAGM
Viviana
My guide’s name was Francisco and he was great. He knew very well the region and was very good on the Technical knowledge. Really enjoyed climbing the volcanoes with him. I did not like that I was told tha a guide mames Edgar was going to be my guide without any explanation.
Irina
Paul
I am rating my travel experience with Explore Share below average. This is due to two primary factors: First, I was not aware, and was not informed that I would have multiple guides and drivers during my tour, and that those guides were only for the mountain or the drive. In my past experience, the guide has been present throughout the trip, and able to assist with multiple different matters. Second, my primary guide and my driver knew very little English, and I know only some Spanish, so we were not able to communicate very well. This led to several misunderstandings which produced delays, wasted effort, and frustration for both parties. So, my trip was characterized by anxiety and confusion about what was happening next, and frustration with the whole process. As well, the tour stated that if I arrived during the day on Saturday, that there would be some tour around Quito. I arrived on Friday which was well known since the driver did transport me from the airport to the hotel. However, I was not contacted and there was no offer of any tour on Saturday, so I was completely on my own. My first contact with the guide was on Sunday morning. Finally, my primary objectives were to summit Cotopaxi, and Chimborazzo. We did not summit either as the guide called off the climbs - one for weather, and one for avalanche danger. I understand and respect the mountains in this regard, but still this is very disappointing, and I just didn’t sense the guide really cared either way. While all of the hotels were nice, I did not have a good trip, it was not enjoyable, and I do not feel that I received all that was promised. I am therefore respectfully requesting a 10% refund. Please advise Thank you.
Kyle
Wonderful group of people... Highly recommend Miguel as a guide
Adam
Our guide Segundo Parra was fantastic. Very professional and willing to pivot when our plans changed in order to create the best possible experience. Most importantly, I had complete confidence in him.
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