CONDOR TREK 5 DAYS
The very best hike in the Ecuadorian Andes. We will take you away from the tourist tracks along the magnificent landscape of the Central Sierra, viewing nine of the most distinctive and famous mountain tops in the area. We will follow the route of William Reiss, a German researcher who in 1872 climbed up for the first time to the summit of Cotopaxi. With a little luck, we could see some local wildlife such as Condors, deer, wolves, and other small mammals. Condor – Paxi Trek is a relatively easy-going and very scenic trek, it helps as training and acclimatization for prominent and major climbs. Iliniza North Summit is included in this journey. We will use Local Haciendas and the best and cozy lodges, having enough comfort and the perfect atmosphere.
CONDOR PAXI TREK SUMMARY ITINERARY
Day 1/ Quito – Pasochoa Volcano
We depart from Quito in the direction of the Machachi village and Pasochoa volcano. we will start hiking along a hidden trail inside a pristine Andean Primary Forest. While we walk up towards Pasochoa summit (4,200 mt) we will enjoy the gorgeous views of the neighbor’s summits such as Antizana, Rumiñahui, Sincholagua, and Cotopaxi volcanoes among others. Condors , and wolves, are often seen, After lunch on the top, we will descend to our Cozy lodge overnight and dinner.
Day 2/ Ruminahui Volcano
Today, we will pass by a small Indian community located in a valley at the base of Rumiñahui volcano, following another hidden trail, it will lead us towards a huge Paramo (grasslands), where Condors are frequently watched, after crossing a couple of small tiny hidden valleys we can see Cotopaxi from a different perspective, In the afternoon, we arrive into our next comfortable Lodge at the base of Cotopaxi Volcano. Dinner and Overnight.
Day 3. Cotopaxi Nat. Park – Rivas Hut
Today is the longest hike of this tour. After a great breakfast, we will hike in the direction of Limpiopungo Valley at 3800mt. Walking on and off the trail and road we will reach the parking lot of Cotopaxi at 4600mt and soon we will reach Jose Rivas hut at 4800mt. where we will relax for a while, later on, we can continue hiking to the glacier edge, in the afternoon we will descend to the valley and transfer with the vehicle towards our next lodge located in the are of Quilotoa village. Dinner and Overnight
Day 4. Quilotoa Loop
Today, we have two options, will hike either to the bottom of the crater and enjoy Kayaking (optional) or walk around the crater lake, which takes around 6 hours. Whatever we decide, it will be a very active hike with different perspectives of the volcano and lake. Once we are back in the lodge we can have lunch (optional) and afterward, we will head towards Panamerican High way, we will pass by tiny communities, observing some crops, and watching the daily lifestyle of the local’s highlanders till we reach a small village called EL CHAUPI where our lodge is located. Diner.
Day 5. Climbing Iliniza North 5125mt. – Quito,
Breakfast before sunrise, then we will drive the vehicle up to the parking place at 4000mt. Here we will start hiking up along a Polylepis forest and later on a moraine till we reach the hut at 4700mt. After a nice break, we will carry on towards the summit at 5125mt. This is a bit scrambling climb but really fun and safe. After lunch, we will descend using another route to the parking lot and lodge, then drive back to Quito.
TO BE CONSIDER: Once acclimatized, we can enlarge this journey with Cotopaxi Climb or Cayambe Climb For further info or bookings, feel free and contact us at info@sierranevada.ec or via Whats App.
