Piñan 4-day guided trek, Ecuador

The Piñan Trek is a beautiful hiking trail located in the Andean village of Piñan, just in the middle of the Cotacachi Cayapas Eco Reserve. It is 3.100 meters high and is characterized by the diversity of landscapes.

Today I invite you to a guided trek of 4 days through the Piñan trail. It will be an incredible adventure with its starting point in Quito. For more details about the full itinerary, please keep reading:

DAY 1: QUITO – IRUGUINCHU – PUKARA CAMP

Very early in the morning we will leave Quito by car towards the village of Iruguinchu. Here we will meet our porters that will help us to carry our luggage during the entire trip.

And here starts our hike in direction to Churoloma Mountain at 3.600 meters of height. From there, we’ll have a perfect view of the cities of Otavalo and Ibarra and of many incredible volcanoes such as the famous Cayambe.

Our camp is a little higher, in Pukara, at 3.450 meters. Once in there, we set up the camp and spend the night in tents. Total walking time of this day: about 5 hours.

DAY 2: PUKARA CAMP – YANACOCHA LAGOON 

After breakfast, we will pack all the things and start a new hiking day. The path turns into a narrower one leading to an Andean Forest, from where we can admire variety of plants. After an intense hike up we will gain an altitude of 4.000 meters. From there, we will get a privileged viewpoint of the Chota Valley.

We will continue walking up to 100 more meters so that we can finally descent to our base camp, in the Yanacocha Lagoon (3.900m). Dinner and overnight. Total walking time: about 7-8 hours.

DAY 3: ASCENT TO YANAHURCO DEL PIÑAN – PIEDRA BLANCA 

Another day which starts very early because a new challenge is waiting for us: climbing to the Yanahurco del Piñan at 4.535 meters. The way up to its summit is sustained and we’ll have to walk on a rocky edge. But once we overcome that section, we will get an incredible panoramic view of all the Ecuadorian snow-capped peaks!

After that, we will descent to Piedra Blanca at 3.900 meters and we will rest here. Total waking time for today: 8 to 9 hours.

DAY 4: PIEDRA BLANCA – QUITO

After breakfast, we’ll disarm our camp and walk back among the dense forest. This time we can admire wild animals such as deer, Andean rabbits and hawks. The Piñan Trek finishes in the village of Pichanchi, where we will enjoy a deserved thermal bath before returning to Quito.

As you can see, it is an incredible trekking trip across one of the wildest forest of the region. The altitude reached will give us unforgettable views. For further information and prices, please get in touch with me. It will be a honor for me to be your guide in the Piñan adventure!