INCA TRAIL
Difficulty:
Altitude: 4200m / 13776ft
Distance: 30km / 19mi
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Date: All year
Within the story, the Inca trail ‘Qhapac Ñan’ was the one that connected the northern capital of the Inca Empire in Quito with the main city and heart of the Empire, Cuzco in Peru. The Incas used this route to observe their surroundings from above and protect themselves from enemies. They also used it to market their goods and to mobilize large armies for the confrontations of the time. Currently the Inca Trail has preserved its essence, like the ancient Tampus Incas and Pucarás, which are already stone ruins where messengers used it to take refuge and observe long distances. However, the Spanish conquerors have destroyed several hallmarks of this path and nature is covering it more and more. Therefore, this three-day trek is unique in the country since it surrounds the paths that are still preserved from the ancient Inca Empire, until it ends in Ingapirca. 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 incredible Inca Trail with us.
DAY 1: Achupallas to Tres Cruces
Altitude: 3000m / 9842ft
We will pick you up from the hotel of your choice at 05h00 where we will have a trip of approximately 3 hours until we reach Riobamba where we will have breakfast. Then we will head further south until we reach the small town of ‘Achupallas’. Once in this town we will leave our equipment on the horses and then we will get ready to begin our 3-day trek through the Ecuadorian paramo, observing nature and making some pauses to take pictures or just to appreciate the landscape. This day we will walk approximately 5 hours until we reach our first camp in the Tres Cruces lagoon to have a snack and enjoy an incredible starry night if the weather allows it.
DAY 2: Tres Cruces to Paredones
Altitude: 2800m / 9186ft
On our second day of trekking we will get up at 06h00 and have breakfast at the foot of the lagoon. Next, we will get our things ready and prepare for the longest day, since we will have a walk of approximately 7 hours with a positive difference of 600m. In turn, the highest point we will reach is Cuchilla de Tres Cruces, where we will be the protagonists of spectacular views of the landscapes that surround us. Later, we will go to the ruins of Tambo de Paredones, which is a moderately preserved place where the Inca messengers took a break, following the route to the southwest through the ‘Qhapac Ñan’ until we reach the magical town of San José where we will have our next camp. Here, we will rest and have our delicious and long-awaited dinner. Then we will sleep to have strength for our last day of walking.
DAY 3: Paredones to Ingapirca
Altitude: 3160m / 10367ft
On this last day we will get up at 06h00, have a delicious breakfast and get ready to continue our last part of the route that descends to the south. This day we will have a walk of approximately 4 hours where we will appreciate the ruins of Ingapirca, next to the museum and its surroundings. This is an ideal space to learn about the culture and society of the Cañaris and Incas. Therefore, here we will fully enjoy the museum and the ruins as well as learn about its history. Finally, our private transport will be waiting for us for a long journey in which we will go to Riobamba (where we suggest staying the night), but if you are staying in Quito, we will go to the capital to drop you off at your hotel or place of preference and in this way we finish this incredible trek.
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 REFUGE:
• 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: 4,200m / 13,776ft
Duration: 3 days 2 nights
Date: All year
Within the story, the Ecuadorian Inca Trail was the one that connected the northern capital of the Inca empire in Quito with the most central city at that time which is Cuzco, Peru. The Incas used it to trade and this route was especially significant because large armies also used this route for the confrontations that the route represents today. Currently the Inca Trail has preserved its essence, like the ancient Inca Tampus, which are stone buildings in which the messengers used it to take refuge; however, the Spanish conquistadores have destroyed several hallmarks of this path. Thus, this three-day trek skirts the still-trodden paths of the ancient northern Inca empire almost mostly from Sangay National Park to the Ingapirca ruins.
DAY 1, 2 and 3: Inca Trail
Altitude: 4,200m/13,776ft
DAY 1
We will pick you up from the hotel of your choice at 5:00 a.m. to have a course of approximately 8:30 a.m. arriving in Riobamba, here we will have a typical local meal for breakfast and head south until we reach the small native town called ¨Achupallas¨. Once in this town we will leave our equipment on donkeys, then we will get ready to begin our journey through the páramo grasslands, observing nature and taking a few breaks as the guide considers for photography or just appreciating this journey. On this day we are going to have an approximate walk of about 4:30 until we reach our first camp to have a snack, spend the night and enjoy, if the weather allows us, a splendid starry night.
DAY 2
In the routine on day number 2, we will get up and have a long-awaited breakfast. Next, we will get our things ready and this day will be the longest, since a walk of approximately 7 hours awaits us with an ascent from 3850 masl to 4400 masl. In turn, the highest point we will reach is Cuchilla de Tres Cruces, where we will be spectators of a spectacular view of Sansahuín, the longest and most viewed lake in the area. Later, we will go to the ruins of Paredones, which is a largely preserved place where the Inca messengers took a break, following the route to the southwest along the Inca trail until we reach the magical town of San José, where we will have our next camp, in which we will rest and of course we will replace our tiredness with a rich and nutritious snack.
DAY 3
On this last day we are going to get up, have breakfast and get ready to follow the route that descends to the south, it will take us approximately 4 hours. On this day we will appreciate the ruins of Ingapirca, next to the museum. It is an ideal space to learn about the culture and society of the Cañaris and Incas. Therefore, here we will fully enjoy the museum. Next, our transport will be waiting for us for a long journey in which we will go by car to Riobamba (where we suggest staying) but if you are staying in Quito, we will go to your place of stay where you can enjoy this incredible adventure and walk of our Inca ancestors.
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.
