QUILINDAÑA - CHALUPAS TREK
Difficulty:
Altitude: 4200m / 13779ft
Distance: 16km / 10mi
Duration: 2 days / 1 night
Date: All year
This trek to Quilindaña, in the center of the Chalupas supervolcano, is characterized by its inhospitable landscapes and for being located between the provinces of Cotopaxi and Napo in the Eastern Cordillera of the Ecuadorian Andes. This million-year-old supervolcano has been calm for the past 200,000 years. Today, it is possible to walk easily inside a part of its 17km diameter caldera thanks to the collapse due to the accumulation of several eruptive centers very close together, one of them is the Quilindaña located right in the center of the caldera. On our trek we will be able to observe landscapes that began thousands of years ago, together with the incredible lagoons that were formed at the base of Quilindaña. 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: Approach to Quilindaña
Altitude: 4000m / 13123ft
We will pick you up from the hotel of your choice at 05h00 in order to start our walk as soon as possible. We will make a short stop to have breakfast and then we will continue until the beginning of our trek. On our first day we will ascend to approximately 4000m where we will make our camp at the foot of the Quilindaña Lagoon. This walk allows us to see the highest mountains such as Cotopaxi, Antisana, Ilinizas, Chimborazo and many more that can be found on our route. Approximately 5 hours of walking later, we will set up our camp and enjoy the afternoon to see the place and take pictures. We will have a perfect space for dinner next to the lagoon and then we will rest in our camp.
DAY 2: Visit to the Quilindaña Lagoon and base of the volcano
Altitude: 4200m / 13779ft
On this day we will get up at 06h00 with the imposing Quilindaña sheltering us in the background and we will have a delicious breakfast before starting our walk. Next, we will prepare our things, we will set up camp and we will continue our walk in which we can observe beautiful landscapes along with a great variety of flora and fauna. This site is characterized by the large amount of vegetation and desolate moors that surround it, being a place of great peace and tranquility. Once our time in the páramo is over, we will return back to the beginning of the tour where our private transport will be waiting for us to return to the city of Quito where we will finally drop you off 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 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: 4878m / 16003ft
Duration: 3 days 2 nights
Date: All year
This Quilindaña – Chalupas route is characteristic for being located between the provinces of Cotopaxi and Napo, in the Ecuadorian Andes Mountains, its name coming from the famous river that flows through the southern part of the volcano. ¨Chalupas¨, being a volcano millions of years old. Today, the remains of the Chalupa volcano can be found within a part of its caldera thanks to the collapse due to the accumulation of several eruptive centers very close together. The most notable feature is precisely its caldera, since it has an elliptical distance of approximately 17km in diameter. On the walk we will be able to observe this phenomenon that happened millions of years ago and today it has evolved over the years and vegetation is found in some parts in the caldera of the Chalupas volcano.
DAY 1, 2 and 3: Quilindaña – Chalupas
Altitude: 4,878m/16,003ft
DAY 1
We will pick you up from the hotel of your stay, preferably at 6:00 a.m. to start our walk at approximately 8:45 a.m., we will make a short stop to have a light breakfast and have a space for photographs with several of the most beautiful volcanoes it has. Ecuador such as Tungurahua, Illinizas, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi and El Corazón, and begin our walk. On our first day we will ascend to approximately 4,237 meters above sea level. This walk has views of such snow-capped peaks that are gradually distancing as we walk more and more until we reach the lagoon next to the great Quilindaña in our background where we will proceed to rest and have our campsite.
DAY 2
On this day we will get up early with the imposing Quilindaña in the background and we will have a long-awaited breakfast since a long walk awaits us. Next, we will prepare our things and this day we will continue our walk in which we can observe white-tailed deer and various Andean birds. This site is characterized by the great flowery vegetation that surrounds it, being a place of peace and tranquility. Later, we will continue our journey and we will cross a muddy path that will lead us to our second camp. Next our second camp will be located on a plain between the forest surrounded by trees.
DAY 3
On this last day we are going to get up, have breakfast and get ready to return to our transport by an alternate route, this will allow us to see different landscapes and cross spectacular views. On the way, we will cross a rocky area which will allow us to take pictures with the panorama of Andean vegetation in the area. At the end of this journey we will end our walk and you can rest in your 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.
