Altar trek
'Italian Camp'
Difficulty:
Altitude: 4200m/13779ft
Distance: 30km/19mi
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Date: All year
The Altar Volcano is a hidden treasure that Ecuador has in the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes. It is an extinct volcano located within the Sangay National Park about 20km from the city of Riobamba in the heart of Ecuador. This trek is something that must be done at least once in your life. It is one of the most magical places that Ecuador has, offering us landscapes from another world and an incomparable hiking experience. This volcano ruptured its crater to the west, leaving its caldera open, forming a beautiful lagoon. In the southern part of the volcano is the famous Italian Camp, with incredible views of the highest peaks of the Altar that reach up to 5300m high. In addition, if we are lucky, we will be able to see Sangay Volcano erupting and find a different variety of fauna, such as: the Puma, White-tailed Deer, Páramo Wolf and a great variety of birds, among them the majestic Andean Condor. This trek is normally done in three days and every four passengers will have an ASEGUIM/UIAGM certified guide. If you travel alone, the trek will be carried out only by the certified guide with the passenger. Come to live this incredible experience touring the Andes of Ecuador with us.
DAY 1: Ascent to the Italian Camp
Altitude: 4200m/13779ft
We will pick you up from your hotel or place of preference at 05h00 where we will have a trip of approximately 4 hours until we reach ‘La Bocatoma’, the south entrance of the Sangay National Park. Once ready, we will give some brief instructions and we will start our walk of approximately 6 hours to the Italian camp. On the way, we will have different stops to eat and hydrate. Once in the camp, which is located in the south of the mountain, we will have time to relax, tour the magnificent place and enjoy the amazing landscapes that surround us. We can take advantage of this time to take pictures of the volcano and enjoy the sunset. In the camp we will have our dinner around 17h30 and then we will prepare our things for the next day. We will sleep around 20h30 to rest well.
DAY 2: Trek to the different lagoons: Estrellada, Mandur, Azul, Pintada and Quindecocha
Altitude: 4500m/14763ft
We will get up at 06h00 to finish getting dressed, have some tea and start our walk to the Altar lagoons, we will visit the Estrellada, Azul, Mandur, Pintada and Quindecocha lagoons that will take us all day, we will also see the famous ‘Laguna Amarilla’ at the distance. In each lagoon, we will have enough time to take pictures, eat something, hydrate ourselves and enjoy the landscape around us. People who want can get into the lagoons and swim a bit, taking into account that the water is very cold. After enjoying a good time in the different lagoons, we will return to the camp where we will enjoy the rest of the afternoon, have dinner and prepare all our things for the descent the next day. We will sleep around 20h30 to rest well.
DAY 3: Descent from the Italian Camp and Return to Quito
Altitude: 3200m/10498ft
We will get up at 05h00 to finish getting dressed, drink some tea and pick up our camp to start the descent towards the base of the mountain, where we started the hike on day 1. On the way, we will have different stops to eat and hydrate. The descent will take us approximately 5 hours until our transport will be waiting for us below to return to the city of Quito. The return trip takes approximately 4 hours, so we will make a stop for lunch before leaving you again at the starting point at your hotel or place of preference.
CLOTHING REQUIRED (NOT INCLUDED):
Three layers of clothing for the legs and torso:
• Base layer: Thermal clothing for body and pants (usually made of synthetic material).
• Second layer: Warm jacket and pants, preferably water repellent (goose down, fleece or polar type).
• Third layer: Waterproof jacket and pants (in case of rain).
• An extra thermal or jacket (in case of extreme cold).
• Backpack between 25L and 35L.
• Gloves.
• Factor 4 sunglasses (with UV protection) and sunscreen.
• Buff.
• Thick socks.
• Rubber Boots.
FOR THE CAMP:
• Sleeping Bag.
• Sleeping Mat.
• Grooming Kit.
• Headlamp.
In case you do not have something from the list of personal clothing, Mauna Expeditions can provide you with the rental or sale of said accessories.
The services included in the cost of the program are:
✓ Registration and preparation for the best experience of your life.
✓ Guidance for the trek with certified guides (ASEGUIM/UIAGM), one guide for every 4 people.
✓ Private door-to-door transportation for the entire day of the tour.
✓ Entry permits.
✓ Adventure video about the experience in the program.
✓ One tent for every 2 people and kitchen tent.
✓ All meals included during the 2 days.
✓ Mauna Expeditions thermo.
✓ Buff Mauna Expeditions.
✓ Lunch Box and hydration for the trek.
The following services are NOT included in the cost of the trek:
X Clothing and personal equipment.
X Airplane tickets.
X Hotel or hostel in Quito or place of preference.
X Life insurance or against some type of accident.
X Other expenses NOT specified in our program.
X Tips.
1 person: CONTACT US.
2 people: CONTACT US.
3-5 people: CONTACT US.
6-10 people: CONTACT US.
11-24 people: CONTACT US.
PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION OF THE PROGRAM
To book the tour, Mauna Expeditions requires a payment of 25% of the cost of the program. Full payment must be made up to a maximum of two weeks before the start date of the tour. We do not send vouchers or confirmation messages until full payment for the program is made. Our team reserves the right to cancel the tour if the full payment is not made until the start date of the program.
The Mauna Expeditions team has put a lot of effort into organizing your program. Therefore, any cancellation must be made at least 21 days in advance. After 21 days, Mauna Expeditions may make a 50% refund depending on the cause of cancellation. Any cancellation notified less than 21 days from the start date of the program will be charged a penalty of 100% of the value of the program.
COSTS
Costs vary depending on the size of the group. A minimum of 1 person and a maximum of 24 people are required to make the trek. For costs information please CONTACT US.
RECOMENDATIONS
Mountaineering is a high-risk sport, where we are exposed to conditions on extreme occasions. We do not recommend doing this activity for people with asthma or some kind of heart condition. The level of difficulty of this program is demanding and there is nothing that interests us more than your safety and that you enjoy our program without any external problem.
Altitude: 4200m/13779ft
Duration: 3 days 2 nights
Date: All year
El Altar is an extinct volcano located within the Sangay National Park in the eastern cordillera of Ecuador, about 20km from the city of Riobamba. It has 11 important peaks, being the ‘Obispo’ the highest with 5300 meters high. The ascent to the summits of the Altar are quite technical, so you must have previous experience to do them. This trek must be done at least once in your life. It is one of the most magical places that Ecuador has, offering us views and an experience from another world. This volcano is mainly visited for its numerous lagoons and the beauty of its páramos. There are two main access routes, the route to the Collanes Valley being the most touristic and popular to get to know the famous Yellow Lagoon, and a magnificent route full of adventure that is in the Italian Camp, located in the extinct caldera of the volcano, surrounded of giant hanging glaciers and waterfalls. This trekking offers one of the best adventure experiences you can live. No previous experience is needed to do this trek, however we advise you to keep exercising to maintain a good physical condition. The best way to invest in yourself, dare to live it!
DAY 1, 2 and 3: Trek to the Altar – Italian Camp
Altitude: 4,200m/13,779ft
DAY 1
We will pick you up from your hotel or place of stay at 5:00 am in which we will have an approximate trip of 4H30 until we reach the beginning of the walk where we will meet our guides and send our belongings with the pack mules. Once we have breakfast here we will give some brief instructions and we will start the first section of the walk that estimates 6H00 of walking, in the pampita of this walk we will have a rest space to eat. Next, we will continue our walk until we reach the camp. Once at the refuge, we will have time to relax and have dinner. Here we will sleep in our campsite and get ready for the next day.
DAY 2
At 8:30 a.m. we will wake up and get ready to go hiking to the different places and sites with their different landscapes that this Altar has, if we are lucky we can see the Obispo and Altar peaks. Once we return we will have breakfast and prepare our own food and of course the photos in the lagoon; as an option for the brave, is that they can enter the different lagoons to take a dip. The water is extremely cold but does not contain sulfur or other substances that are harmful to health. Once here we will proceed to the descent towards the refuge, here we will have breakfast and get everything ready to descend again in our final section towards the Releche Retorno hacienda, and then to their places of stay.
DAY 3
On this day we are going to prepare everything for breakfast, get absolutely everything ready, and in this way we are going to get things ready so that our things can go on mules on the way back. We are going to have a stop for lunch and then finally we will be at our place of stay.
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT (INCLUDED):
Helmet.
harness.
Shared equipment (rope, carabiners, cords, ascent and descent equipment).
PERSONAL CLOTHING (NOT INCLUDED):
Three layers of clothing for the legs and torso:
• First layer: Diver and dryfit pants (lycra type, fast drying).
• Second layer: Warm jacket and pants, preferably water repellent (fleece or polar type).
• Third layer: Waterproof jacket and pants.
• An extra diver or sweater (in case of extreme cold).
• Backpack between 25L and 35L.
• Preferably thick gloves.
• Factor 4 glasses (with UV protection).
• Buff or thermal cap.
• Thick socks.
• Sunscreen.
In case you do not have something from the list of personal clothing or equipment, Mauna Expeditions can provide you with the rental or sale of said accessories.
The services included in the cost of the program are:
✓ Registration and preparation for the best experience of your life.
✓ Guidance for the ascent with certified guides (ASEGUIM/UIAGM), one guide for every 4 people.
✓ Private door-to-door transportation for the entire day of the tour.
✓ Entry permits.
✓ Adventure video about the experience in the program.
✓ Necessary mountain equipment (specified above)
✓ Lunch on the way down on the day of the ascent.
✓ Take all of Mauna Expeditions.
✓ Buff Mauna Expeditions.
✓ Lunch Box and hydration for the ascent.
The following services are NOT included in the cost of the program:
X Clothing and personal equipment.
X Air tickets.
X Hotel or hostel in Quito or place of preference.
X Life insurance or against some type of accident.
X Other expenses NOT specified in our program.
X Tips.
For more details about prices, please contact us to give you a complete and full price. This will depend on the number of people and your plans.
PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION OF THE PROGRAM
To book the tour, Mauna Expeditions requires a payment of 25% of the cost of the program. Full payment must be made up to a maximum of two weeks before the start date of the tour. We do not send vouchers or confirmation messages until full payment for the program is made. Our team reserves the right to cancel the tour if the full payment is not made until the start date of the program.
The Mauna Expeditions team has put a lot of effort into organizing your program. Therefore, any cancellation must be made at least 21 days in advance. After 21 days, Mauna Expeditions may make a 50% refund depending on the cause of cancellation. Any cancellation notified less than 21 days from the start date of the program will be charged a penalty of 100% of the value of the program.
COSTS
Costs vary depending on the size of the group. A minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 24 are required to make the ascent. For cost information please CONTACT US.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Mountaineering is a high-risk sport, where we are exposed to conditions on extreme occasions. We do not recommend doing this activity for people with asthma or some kind of heart problem. The level of difficulty of the program is demanding and there is nothing that interests us more than your safety and that you enjoy our program without any external problem.
BOOK YOUR TREK
Choose and reserve the date, then our team will contact you to confirm all the details.
