Imbabura Volcano guided hiking tour in Ecuador

E-S Latam Adventure Guides, will take you on this easy 2-day hike to the Imbabura Volcano, with the option of a cultural extension program on the third day.

Private

Andes

2 Days

All year

Highlights

Reach the top of the fantastic Imbabura.
Contemplate great views of San Pablo Lake.
Visit the Parque Condor and discover beautiful birds.

Description

Join me in this easy 2 or 3 day hike to the Imbabura Volcano (1519 m), near Quito, the capital city of Ecuador! On our way, we will hike through rocky outcroppings and tall paramo grass. Then, we will pass through lush vegetation, as we climb higher in the mountain.

Besides, the gentle slopes of the dormant Imbabura Volcano make it a perfect acclimatization hike. If you are preparing for other famous high altitude volcanoes, join me and get ready for the challenge! Also, on our way we will enjoy great views of San Pablo Lake, an impressive crater lake. It's Ecuador's largest natural lake.

The Imbabura is an extinct volcano, located 60 kilometres north of Quito. Also, it is near the village of Otavalo, famous for its large craft market.

This volcano has two summits. From the north summit of the normal route, the higher summit is reached by traversing a knife edge crater rim. The exposed and loose rocks make it a Class 3 climb. So, the last few meters are more tricky than most part of the climb.

If you choose to extend the program to 3 days, there is an optional cultural extension. We will enjoy a short trek near San Pablo Lake. Also, we will visit the Parque Condor, where we will see a bird of prey flight demonstration. We will find there many species of birds, such as kestrels, condors and small hawks.

Besides, we will hike to the village of Peguche, and we will pass by the Cascada de Peguche. This is a waterfall used by the Otavalo people for ritual purification. In Peguche we will visit a traditional museum, where we will see the native way of life. Also, we will see a flute making demonstration and visit a loom weaving.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you want to join me in this hike to Imbabura Volcano! I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about this trip. Also, I offer a 2-day climb for beginners to Cotacachi Volcano. Check it out!

Price includes

Guiding fee

Itinerary

Day 1: Quito-Cubilche-La Esperanza

From Quito, we will drive to the foothills of Cubilche. We will enjoy an easy 2 to3 hour hike to this popular scenic overlook. We will enjoy the amazing views of Cerro Cotacachi, Cayambe and Imbabura. We will stop for lunch at a small hidden lake. We will stay in La Esperanza, a picturesque lodge, and get ready for the climb.

Day 2: Imbabura climb

At 6 am we will drive to the trailhead. After a 5 hour climb we will reach the accessible point below the summit, as the true summit is exposed and would take us 8 hours. Then we will begin the descent, that will take us another 3 hours. We will then drive back to Quito.

Day 3: Cultural Extension

We will check into an hacienda on the shores of San Pablo Lake, at the end of the second day. We will enjoy a short hike by the lake after breakfast. Then we will visit the Parque Condor for a bird of prey flight demonstration. Later, we will hike to the Cascada de Peguche and a nearby Quichua village with tapestry and flute making demonstrations. We will drive back to Quito.

Details

More info

Contact me for information about the price.

Meeting point

Quito

FAQs

What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?

We understand that finding the perfect place to stay is an essential part of your adventure experience. To help you with this, we’ve curated a list of three highly recommended hotels that offer comfort, convenience, and a touch of local charm. These accommodations are well-suited for adventurers looking to relax and rejuvenate after an exciting day of exploration

Hotel Boutique Santa Lucia Quito Ecuador

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Hotel Sierra Madre Quito Ecuador

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Hostal Marsella Quito Ecuador

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About the guide

E-S Latam Adventure Guides

5.0

(9)

Mountain Guide

Tomás and his team of IFMGA/UIMLA-certified mountain guides, leaders and rock climbing instructors (Alvaro, Juliana, Merlin, Rodrigo, Armin, Alfredo, and Camila) are some of the top outdoor adventure professionals in Latin America.

Whether you wish to climb some of the most stunning mountains in the Andes or discover the vibrant peaks of Central America, among other amazing options, you will find yourself in good hands with this lively team of professional local guides that will not only show you the top spots in Latin America for outdoor adventures but also, bring you closer to the colorful local cultures of the places that you visit with them.

Tomás will be your main point of contact during the booking process and will help you with all the questions you have in order to make sure you receive the best possible guiding service.

Pick one of the E-S Latam Adventure Guides' programs and start planning an unforgettable experience in the beautiful mountains of Latin America!

Languages

French | English

Certificates

AAGM | IFMGA

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What people are saying about E-S Latam Adventure Guides

Christopher

We wish we could have Simon as our guide on every trek we do. His mountaineering experience and extensive knowledge of the area was impressive and definitely enhanced the trek for us. On top of this, we got along great with Simon and appreciate his easy going personality and sense of humor. We will definitely request Simon as our guide for the next hike we do from El Chalten!

Jim

Thoroughly recommended. Daniel is an excellent guide and we had a great day out.

Chase

This was a fantastic mountaineering trip to Ecuador. The altitude was a bit of a challenge, but Ramiro did a great job with the acclimatization schedule leading up to the taller mountains. Overall, this was a challenging experience given the altitude of the climbs as well as the back-to-back climbing of four mountains. I would highly recommend this excursion for anyone who wants to experience a fantastic country/culture as well as someone who wants to gain some nice experience mountaineering!

Kally

Fredy Tipan is like a superhero of the outdoor world. He knows absolutely everyone, has climbed and guided in the most epic of locations all around the world, knows the mountains like old friends, and really loves what he does and who he does it for. Our trip was completely messed up after an issue with our airline tickets. We weren't going to be able to leave until a week after our planned departure which jeopardized our entire trek with Fredy. We didn't expect him to take any sort of responsibility in replanning as it was our mistake that caused the airline issue but he absolutely did. Within days he rearranged the entire trek so that we would be able to summit all our desired peaks without cutting the days down and without changing the cost. He is a class act and an incredible guide and I'd say my husband and I both consider him a friend as well. We will definitely be booking another trip with Fredy Tipan and recommend him to anyone looking for the real deal in outdoor Guides. Thank you, Fredy!

Amazing short but exciting climb to a summit with outstanding views. Perfect acclimatization peak for the bigger Ecuadorian volcanoes, with a cozy hut and a nice approach walk. Fredy was fantastic, thank you so much for this unforgettable experience!