Sangay National Park 6-day guided trek in Ecuador
Explore the amazing biodiversity of the Sangay National Park in Ecuador, along Pablo, an IFMGA certified guide, and hike up to the Sangay Volcano.
Not specified
Andes
6 Days
Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Description
I invite you to explore the amazing Sangay National Park in Ecuador! Join me in this fantastic 6-day guided trek and let's discover the diversity of plants and animals of this region. Besides, we will be able to see the contrast between the snowcapped peaks and the lowland forests!
The park is located 200 kilometres south of Quito. It is Ecuador's largest national park. Its extension covers the Eastern Andes Range to the Amazon rainforest. It covers also parts of three Ecuadorian provinces: Chimborazo, Morona Santiago and Tungurahua.
The park includes a wide range of ecotypes. We can find from subtropical and humid rainforest, to Andean grasslands, cloud forests, and even glacial fields! Besides, this inmense wilderness area holds amazing lakes, rivers, waterfalls, volcanoes and thermal springs. Also, Tungurahua and Sangay, two of Ecuador’s most active volcanoes lie here, together with El Altar extinct volcano.
Due to the isolation of the Sangay National Park, we will also be watching for sights of rare native species, such as the Andean condor and the mountain tapir.
During our 6-day trek, I will guide you along the Guargulla Chico, Plazapamba and La Playa route. Mules will carry our equipment, until we reach our base camp.
Then, I will guide you on our way up to the summit of the Sangay Volcano. But since it doesn't have any glaciers, we don't need to rope up.
Also, I think it is better to be unroped while we climb. This way, we can move easily around rolling stones that might fall. Although we do bring an ice axe and crampons, in case we find snow on the climb.
The Sangay National Park is one of the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The other four are the Galapagos Islands, Cuenca and colonial Quito.
Don't hesitate to contact me! I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the program. We will spend an unforgettable 6-day trek! You can also check my 5-day Chimborazo Fauna Reserve hiking tour!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
Itinerary
Day 1: Riobamba-Guargalla Chico-La Tranca Pucará
Early in the morning, we will leave Riobamba and drive 3 hours to Guarguallá Chico (3200 m), a small farming community. Then, we will start our trekking adventure. We will hike 5 to 6 hours (mule assisted) to La Tranca Pucará (or Ricón Escaleras) at 3500 metres high. We will set up tents for the evening (3700 m).
Day 2: Tres Cruces Camp-Plazapamba
We will leave the campsite at 9 am and begin our 6 to 7 hour trek. We will hike up to the Tres Cruces Pass at 4000 metres high. We will then hike down to Plazapamba. In this place, we will have dinner and spend the night in cabins (3800 m).
Day 3: Yanayacu-La Playa base camp
Today we will hike to Yanayacu, the conjunction of two rivers on to La Playa. Then the trail will take us across ridges and rivers to our cabins at La Playa base camp (3800 m). We will hike in total for 6-7 hours.
Day 4: Sangay crater
We will wake up very early, at 2 am! We will then begin our 7-8 hiking ascent to the crater of Sangay (5230 m). The descent to the base camp will take us 3–4 hours.
Day 5: Plazapamba-Zurita Tambo
Today we will hike back to Plazapamba and Zurita Tambo. It will take us 8-9 hours. We will have dinner and spend the night at the camp.
Day 6: Huargualla-Riobamba
We will hike for 5- to 6 hours to Huargualla. Then we will drive back to Riobamba.
Details
Accommodation We will camp |
More info Contact me for information about the price and equipment. |
About the guide
UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide from Ecuador.
I fell in love with the mountains at a young age while climbing Ecuador’s volcanoes with my father. I guided in the Andes for 8 years and have been guiding for the past four years in the Northwest United States. In 1997 I expanded his adventure skills by taking on rock climbing. I represented Chimborazo province three times as the Ecuadorian National Rock Climbing Champion.
I completed his UIAGM certification with the Bolivian Mountain & Trekking Guide Association, accredited by the National School of Ski and Alpinism of Chamonix (ENSA), and completed Advanced Alpine and Rock Guides Courses with American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA).
I usually spend some months every year in Ecuador (from October to January, but it varies every year). The rest of the year I am based and guide in Europe.
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