Laguna Congelada Trek - Carihuairazo
Difficulty:
Altitude: 4200m / 13776ft
Distance: 10km / 6mi
Duration: 2 days / 1 night
Date: All year
Carihuairazo is an extinct volcano and the tenth highest mountain in Ecuador, located only 10 km from the imposing Chimborazo volcano. This volcano has 3 main peaks; the maximum summit called ‘el dedo’ that reaches 5018m along with 2 lower peaks: the Mocha summit with 4960m and Josefina with 4900m. At the foot of the volcano is a beautiful lagoon produced by the melting of the glacier (now non-existent), famous for its attractiveness and easy access, this would be the Frozen Lagoon (Laguna Congelada). This is a special place to be in contact with nature, enjoy the flora and fauna of the place and take pictures from another world. In this adventure we will be able to observe several volcanoes that surround the Carihuairazo, such as Tungurahua, Chimborazo and Sangay. This walk will take us approximately 6 hours between coming and going. This expedition lasts 2 days and 1 night, so we will rest in the community on the first day and leave at dawn on the second. This trek is normally done in two 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: Arrival at the Community refuge
Altitude: 4200m / 13776ft
We will pick you up from the hotel of your choice at 11h00 and we will go south in our private transport for 2 hours until we reach Ambato where we will have our lunch. After 1 more hour of travel we will arrive at the entrance of the community where we will make our entry registration. After the last 20 minutes in the car, we will arrive at the community refuge where we will stay for the rest of the day where we can do different activities such as getting to know the surroundings, taking pictures and resting. Around 18h00 we will have dinner and then we will sleep to be rested for the next day.
DAY 2: Laguna Congelada Trek – Carihuairazo
Altitude: 4600m / 15091ft
This day we will get up at 03h00 to finish getting dressed, drink some tea and start our approximately 4-hour walk to the Frozen Lagoon. We will have 400 meters of unevenness throughout the route, reaching a maximum altitude of 4600m at the foot of Carihuairazo. Here, we will have the opportunity to take pictures and eat something at the edge of the lagoon. In this area is the last glacier of Carihuairazo, which in a few years will have disappeared. Next, we will return about 2 hours to the refuge and we will prepare everything to return to Quito or to your place of preference in our private transport.
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: 2 days 1 night
Date: All year
The Carihuairazo is an extinct volcano in Ecuador, located 10 km from the imposing Chimborazo, this volcano has 3 main peaks; the first summit that reaches 5,018 meters above sea level along with 2 lower peaks called: “Mocha” with 4,960 meters above sea level and “Josefinos” at 4,900 meters above sea level. In turn, the Carihuairazo has a very beautiful lagoon called “Frozen Lagoon” which is a natural attraction surrounded by Polilephys bushes, temporary lagoons, and living rock, being a special space to be in contact with nature and to have some amazing photographs. In this adventure you can see several snow-capped mountains and volcanoes that surround them, such as Tungurahua, Chimborazo and Carihuairazo itself, along with a wide variety of fauna such as groups of vicuñas that we will see along the way. It is a walk of approximately 5h30 (3h00 to go and 2h30 to return). This expedition is 2 days and 1 night, which allows us to rest in the community and depending on the weather, a starry night and if the moon is in our favor we will also be able to observe Chimborazo at night, being an unforgettable experience.
DAY 1 and 2: Frozen Lagoon – Carihuairazo
Altitude: 4,200m/13,776ft
DAY 1
We will pick you up from the hotel of your choice at 8:00 a.m. and head south on a journey of approximately two and a half hours until we reach the refuge or communities. Here we will stay the rest of the day where we can do different activities such as getting to know the surroundings, having dinner and resting for the next day’s adventure.
DAY 2
In the routine on day 2, we will get up early and get everything ready to go, since a long walk awaits us. This day we will continue our walk towards the frozen lagoon, increasing in altitude and upon arrival, we will have the opportunity for photographs and a delicious lunch box to enjoy, to be able to take all the necessary photographs, and to rest. We will make a stop at We will be able to see this amazing glacier with silty meltwater from the glaciers. Next, we will return to our place of stay and we will prepare everything to return to your place of stay.
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT (INCLUDED):
Helmet.
harness.
Shared equipment (rope, carabiners, cords, ascent and descent equipment).
In case it is necessary, for example, if it is very windy or the weather conditions require it.
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.
