El Altar (5319 m.) is one of the most spectacular mountains of Ecuador. The Incas called it Capac Urcu - Sublime Mountain. A long time ago, El Altar was the highest mountain of Ecuador, and some studies even say that it was the highest of the world. A huge eruption almost completely destroyed the cone, leaving 9 snow-capped summits in a horseshoe shape around an enormous crater lake. In the area surrounding El Altar there are many other beautiful glacial lakes, where you can do excellent trekking. This part of the Sangay National Park is home to condors, Andean gulls; white-tailed deer’s and foxes.

We offer 2 different trekking possibilities in the area of El Altar, a moderate 3 day trekking and a harder 4 day trekking.

3-day trekking

Day 1: At 9:30 a.m. we leave Riobamba. After a 1-hour drive we reach the Hacienda Releche, at 3200 m. altitude. We put our equipment on pack horses and start to hike up a steep hill. After 1 hour we reach the trail to El Altar and soon we will enjoy the first views of the extinct volcano and the valley of Collanes river. We continue hiking for about 5 hours until we reach the Collanes refuge at 3850 m., where we will spend the night.

Day 2: After breakfast we follow the Collanes Plain to El Altar’s crater lake. From the plateau at 4300 m., the highest point of this trek, we have marvellous views of the turquoise-green lake and the snow-capped peaks. Condors are still seen around here. In the afternoon we return to the refuge.

Day 3: In the morning we hike down from the refuge to Hacienda Releche. From here we drive back to Riobamba. Arrival at about 2:00 p.m.

Price: $320,00 per person with a minimum of 2 people.
Included: English speaking guide, transport from and to Riobamba, accommodation in the refuge, 3 x box lunch, 2 x dinner, 2 x breakfast, purified drinking water, pack horses for the equipment, equipment.
Not included: entrance fee to the National Park, extra drinks, tips.

4 day trekking

El Altar is one of the most beautiful mountains in Ecuador and very suitable for climbing and acclimatisation. During this 4 day trekking we will hike on the glacier and climb a 5000m summit. This trekking is recommended for people with a good fysical condition who would like to learn more about the principles of mountaineering. This trek is also a good way to acclimatize for climbing the Cotopaxi or Chimborazo. Not suitable for people without any trekking experience.

Day 1: We leave Riobamba around 09.00 am and after 1,5 hour drive we reach the little village of Boca Toma at 3500m. This is the beginning of our trekking. All equipment will be put on mules and we start our first hike through the highlands. After around 5 - 6 hours we reach Las Puertas (3900m). Here we put our tents and spend the night.

Day 2: Today we will go to Laguna Negra Paccha (4220m), from where we have a great view of the South face of El Altar. With clear weather we have a beautiful view of the Laguna Pintada, the largest lake in the surroundings, and we can see a big part of Sangay National Park. After around 6 hours hiking we reach the Italian camp and here we will spend the night.

Day 3: From the Italian camp we climb the Monkey Hippy (5050m). This is one of the easiest not very technical summits of El Altar. After 5 hours climbing we turn back to our camp and keep going down to the refuge from Collanes at (3800m). Here we will spend the night.

Day 4: In the morning we walk to the Laguna Amarilla, or El Altar's craterlake. After this hike we go down to Releche from where we go back to Riobamba, where we arrive around 16.00pm.

Price: $500 per person with a minimum of 2 people.
Included: English speaking guide, transport from and to Riobamba,  accommodation in tents,
4 x box lunch, 3 x dinner, 3 x breakfast and purified drinking water, pack horses for the equipment, equipment.
Not included: entrance fee to the National Park, extra drinks, tips.