Sangay National Park 8-day trekking tour

This unique program proposes an 8-day trek in Sangay National Park, Ecuador, a beautiful preserved area with amazing options for hiking and climbing in the wilderness.

The Sangay National Park opened in 1979, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. In this park we find extremely varied flora and fauna. Progressing from the rainforest of the lowland to the alpine tundra. Because of this large diversity, we can find very diverse flower species. We can also encounter jaguars, monkeys and other animals. In addition, more than 500 different bird species live there. Moreover, bears, tapirs and stags can be found in the park highest areas.

If you want to live an incredible experience exploring the stunning highlands of the Andes, then this is the perfect trip!

The area where this mountain stands is quite remote. There are continuous outbreaks of hot red rock and ashes, rendering the ascent dangerous. Each hour and year the situation of the volcano changes. Although the ascent itself doesn’t have technical difficulties, the ongoing outbreaks are risky and dangerous.

During these past years we’ve successfully climbed it until its summit. Of course we wish to continue. But we have to accept that nature has its own will. And the area is already wonderful with its long valleys, forest and great paramos. During the hike we will meet local people and share experiences with them.

I propose to you the following itinerary.

Day 1: Quito from Casa Gardenia to Riobamba – Guargualla
Leaving Quito at 8AM, drive south through the Panamerican highway. We go through the city of Riobamba and have lunch. We arrive at the Guargualla Chico village around 4PM, where the Sangay hike will start. Then we camp, have dinner & sleep.

Day 2: from Guargualla Chico to Escaleras
Breakfast around 8AM. Then we start hiking towards the remote corners of this beautiful environment. We will camp next at Rincon Escaleras.

Day 3: from Rincón Escaleras to Plazapamba
Breakfast around 8AM, then our hike continues to reach at the Plazapamba valley, where we set camp.

Day 4: from Plazapamba to Playas
Breakfast around 8AM, then we hike to Playas and set camp there.

Day 5: from Playas to Sangay Summit at 5230m (The fiery Mountain) and back to Playas
Early morning at 4AM and breakfast. Afterwards we begin our hike, and after 1 hour we get to a rock lava. We make it to the “window” (4180m). Then we continue the steep trek in the volcanic rock, ascending to the summit, which takes 6-7 hours. We take some pictures and rest, then return comfortably to camp site at Playas.

Day 6: from Playas to Plazapamba
Breakfast, then we leave the Sangay Volcano base. We hike by the same route we took on the way in.

Day 7: from Plazapamba to Rincón Escaleras
Breakfast and then continue through the same path. Rincón Escaleras Camp.

Day 8: from Rincón Escaleras to Guargualla Chico
The car will there waiting for us. We drive back to the civilisation after these long hiking days. We either arrive to Riobamba Hotel or continue driving until Quito, around 6-7PM.

Are you interested in this unique program in the heart of Ecuador? Then please contact me!