Trek the Unknown Andean Trail Altar Volcano

Day 1 · QUITO ARRIVAL DAY

1. 1

   Quito

   8 hours

   Welcome to Quito! The biggest, best-preserved colonial city of America was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and the second most important city of the old Inca Empire.

   Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the town of Quito and the surrounding area. Adventure Journeys can help you to organize a day trip.

   In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing and there will be plenty of time to discuss details and answer any questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an informational and acclimation day.

Sheraton Quito or similar

Day 2 · COTOPAXI FIRST TREK

1. 1

   Cotopaxi Province

   8 hours

   Today we have a scenery drive through the Avenue of Volcanoes, on the way depending on the weather you may be able to see Cotopaxi, Rumiñahui, Ilinizas, and Tungurahua volcanoes, driving down the Panamerican highway will make you enjoy the views of the colorful fields on the mountains, as the main activity is the agriculture we will easily recognize the plantations of corn, potatoes and the grain of gods quinua.

   About noon we will trek for about 5 hours to reach our campsite.

Camping

Day 3 · TREKKING TO MANDUR LAGOON

1. 1

   Altar Mountain

   8 hours Admission included

   Today is the longest and most fantastic trek of this expedition, we will be gone for several hours trekking along this unique trails in the Paramo ecosystem, known for being so high in elevation as well as the thin oxygen that here exists. We will learn from our guides about the flora and the fauna of this area. The Mandur lagoon (4420 meters) is so amazing and we will spend some time admiring its beauty. In the afternoon we will return to the campsite where our chef will be waiting for a fantastic dinner.

Camping

Day 4 · TREKKING TO THE YELLOW CRATER LAKE OF THE ALTAR VOLCANO

1. 1

   Altar Mountain

   8 hours Admission included

   Today after a very healthy breakfast we will continue our adventure with a trek as amazing as the one yesterday but shorter in distance. We will head to the most impressive crater lake (4250 meters), which is yellow because of the high concentration of sulfur.

   In the afternoon we go back to the campsite.

Camping

Day 5 · RELAX DAY ON COLONIAL HACIENDA

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   Cotopaxi Province

   8 hours

   Today we will return to the Hacienda Releche and drive to Cotopaxi Province and spend the night in a Colonial Hacienda.

Colonial Hacienda

Day 6 · QUILOTOA CRATER LAKE

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   Laguna Quilotoa

   8 hours Admission included

   After breakfast, we will take a car ride to The Ilinizas Ecological Reserve. After 2 hours we will have a quick stop at the Toachi canyon to enjoy the amazing view of this place, later we continue 10 minutes to the Quilotoa Volcano and get hiking into its crater. This lake is considered as one of the most beautiful crater lakes on earth, it is optional to kayak here, later we will hike or ride a mule back up and then drive back to Quito.

Sheraton Quito or similar

Day 7 · DEPARTURE

1. 1

   Quito

   one hour

   Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a "Buen Viaje"!