Condor Trekking – trek Condor this is one of the best hikes that can be done in Ecuador, know the Active Volcano Antisana (5,705) Sincholagua Volcano, and finally the Cotopaxi (5,897 m.).
This high plateau embellished with volcanic scenery is the home of the Andean Condor, deers and many other endemic animals that hide in its mountains, valleys and lakes above 3,500 meters above sea level. For experienced and adrenaline driven hikers that enjoy challenging the heights and the cold weather, this is the ideal place to choose.
Around the Antisana, we can admire the majestic flight of the Andean condor, and lots of birds.
This trek we can combine with Cotopaxi Climbing at 5,897m
Day 1: Quito – Tambo – Volcan Lake 3,800m
We will meet in Quito and immediately head east to the small village of “El Tambo” (3,400m) and there, along with our mules, luggage and skinners, our adventure will begin. We will travel through a muddy and somewhat slippery path, for this reason, we recommend you to use rubber boots. It will take us about 5 hours to reach our first campsite at the shores of the volcanic lake at 3,800 meters above sea level.
Day 2: Volcan Lake – Santa Lucia Lake 4,300m.
After having a good and complete breakfast we will take off on a hike along a steep and muddy trail to reach a dryer path where you will be able to admire the Antisana Volcano, the Santa Lucía Lake and the high plateaus. It will take us 6 hours to reach our second camping site that will be at 4,300 meters above sea level. This will be our home for the night.
Day 3: Santa Lucia – Sincholagua Camp 4,300m.
Our morning will start at 8am; right after breakfast we will hike to the base of the Antisana volcano where we will be likely to see the Ecuadorian emblematic bird, the Condor among many other bird species in the area. After passing through a steep trail and completing the 7 hour hike scheduled for that day, we will arrive to our third camping spot where we will spend our last night.
Day 4: Sincholagua – Condor Pass 4,500m. – Quito
Our hike will start very early in the morning, again, there will be some steep paths before we reach the highest trekking point at 4,500 meters above sea level. We will then descent along the ladders of the Sincholagua volcano until we reach the Pita River inside the Cotopaxi National Park; here our driver will be waiting for us to take us back to Quito.