Condor Trek 3-day guided program

On this 3-day Condor Trek you will hike the Antisana Ecological Reserve alongside Fernando, an ASEGIUM certified mountain guide, and his team.

Andes

3 Days

Jan, Feb, Dec

Description

The complete Condor Trek is a 5-day, 4-night hike that National Geographic Adventure listed in its 2014 Adventure Bucket List. I invite you to join me on a shortened version of this trek. My 3-day Condor Trek starts at the Cayambe-Coca National Park and finishes at the beautiful Antisana Ecological Reserve. Along the way, you will have the chance to see several of Ecuador's natural destinations.

The Condor Trek is named for Ecuador's prized Andean Condor. The huge bird has a wingspan of up to 3 meters. During our Condor Trek, you will probably have the chance to see this incredible bird in the wild. The trek is in a biodiversity hotspot. So, the Andean Condor is just one example of the unique flora and fauna that we will see on the route.

The 3-day trek also takes us to several special natural areas. On the first night we will camp near a nice lake called "Laguna del Volcán." The next day, we will hike from the wet area, passing through rivers and small forests, to higher and drier plateaus.

Subsequently, we will arrive at a spot where we can view the magnificent Antisana Glacier. The Antisana Volcano is completely covered in snow and glaciers, which makes it one of Ecuador's most beautiful yet most dangerous mountains.

On the last day, the trek goes through the base of Antisana. We will hike to reach the Mica Lagoon, which has a great view and beautiful scenery. From here we will be able to observe deer, llamas, and condor and other birds.

The 3-day Condor Trek is an incredible hiking opportunity. We get to experience many of Ecuador's national treasures and in the most natural way- hiking surrounded by nature. You won't want to miss this trek. If this trip description inspires you, contact me today. I also lead a 2-day climb of Antisana.

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Transport during the trip
Permit and entrance fees

Price details

Please note that lunch and dinner in hotels are not included. Personal equipment is not provided. Insurance is not included.

Itinerary

Day 1: Quito to Laguna del Volcan Camp (3800 m)

We will leave Quito in the morning and drive east to El Tambo Village (3400 m). There we will meet our packhorses. We will load our equipment onto the horses and start hiking on the trail. Most of the time we will be hiking it will be very muddy. We will also be crossing streams and rivers. Because of this, rubber boots are necessary equipment. After 4-5 hours, we will arrive at our first campsite. The campsite is located next to the “Laguna del Volcan” lake. We will spent the night in tents.

Day 2: Laguna del Volcan Camp to Santa Lucia Camp (4300 m)

After eating breakfast, we will continue hiking for about 3 hours through wet areas and small forests until we reach plateaus higher above. We will start to be able to see the huge Antisana glacier and Santa Lucia Lake. We will hike for another 3 hours until we arrive at our second camp in a sheltered valley. We will sleep in tents.

Day 3: Santa Lucia Camp to Quito (2800 m)

The third day starts early. We will hike through the base of Antisana and then take a moderate climb to the Mica Lagoon. This part of the trek will take us between 6 and 7 hours, and is the best chance on the trek to see deer, llamas, and condor. That evening, after enjoying all the views and beautiful scenery, the car will be ready to take us back to Quito.

About the guide

Fernando

4.6

(24)

Mountain Leader

ASEGUIM Guide from Ecuador

Fernando Iza was born and raised in the Cotopaxi Province of Ecuador and knows the country’s peaks intimately. He is an official ASEGUIM mountain guide with more than 18 years of mountaineering experience climbing in all of Ecuador, as well as in South America, Switzerland, France, and the United States.

Fernando has worked for mountaineering companies in Ecuador, Europe and the United States from a young age. Now, he has set up his own basecamp at Ilinizas Mountain Lodge, right next to Iliniza Volcano, Rumiñahui Volcano, and the famous Cotopaxi Volcano. He has summited Cotopaxi more than 637 times and has summitted Chimborazo Volcano close to 200 times.

Fernando got his degree in Tourism Technology at Cenestur Institute, and in 2021 started studying Business administration with Cuosera.

He has completed important courses such as:

Mountain Guides Course by ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides),
Mountain Guides Evaluation by ENSA (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme) in October 2006. This event was organized by the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador and ENSA of France
Pre-course UIAGM, an event organized by ASEGUIM and ENSA (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme)
Wilderness first aid courses
Ecuadorian Red Cross courses
He speaks fluent Spanish and English, as well as a little German, French, Hebrew and Kichua

The most spectacular guided tours that Fernando has done.

Antisana South Peak Open new rout
Alpamayo
Matterhorn
Denali

Languages

German | French | English

Certificates

ASEGUIM

Request more information

What people are saying about Fernando

MICHAIL

Fernando is a very experienced guide, with a great know-how in hiking high altitudes. The hike was demanding, so having a guide who was responsible and knew how to coach us while climbing was extremely important. We could not make it to the top, but the adventure was absolutely worthy!

Carolyn

Had a really great trip climbing in the Ecuadorian Andes. Fernando is a very capable guide. His true passion is big, technical climbs and he is a less excited about the more basic acclimatization hikes. The lodging and food in El Chaupi is great. There was not a ton of advanced communication and the pre-trip prep each night before was a little sparse and lacking in detail. There was limited flexibility if we wanted to adjust the itinerary (such as including an extra walk to a lagoon, ect). Overall, a good experience.

Jana

There were no briefings about the upcoming itineraries, I’d mostly find along the way, what’s the plan. He would make changes to his moods. He didn’t inform me in adavance about the specifics of each refugio/ lodge/ camp concerning the distance from car, electricity and would make fun/made snide comments “your choice” of the things I packed at the aftermath, but offered no guidance. I have read from others that he is very knowledgeable and explained a lot- that hasn’t been my experience, he surely is an apt mountaineer, but he wasn’t actively explaining or showing things, he was just always on his cellphone. He could be very short, abrasive and inpatient. At one time even another climber intervened “to save me”

Sebastien

Our guide Fernando was great to adapt the trip for our two little girls. A great experience it was fir us all. Thank you.

frederic

Fernando and Sergio are very good guides, not only very safe and motivating in the mountains, but very nice between the climbs. And i have learned a lot too about the culture in the country. Their hotel near Illniza is perfectly located, safe and you are received as if your were at home with Fernando's family. And they will take care of everything, so you just have to concentrate yourself on the climbs. Thank you!