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Two days of high-altitude trekking from Quito bring you into the paramo around Nevado El Altar, camping in Collanes Valley and visiting the striking Laguna Amarilla. Expect long uphill stretches, thin air, and dramatic volcanic scenery.
Two days of high-altitude trekking from Quito bring you into the paramo around Nevado El Altar, camping in Collanes Valley and visiting the striking Laguna Amarilla. Expect long uphill stretches, thin air, and dramatic volcanic scenery.
A pre-dawn bus eases out of Quito and the night folds behind you as the Andes widen. By first light the road drops into wide paramo; tussock grass ripples and wind seems to push you along. On arrival at the trailhead the volcanic shoulders of Nevado El Altar loom — rock and glacier interrupted by a pale, yellow lagoon that catches the sun like a held breath.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Perfect Destiny · Riobamba, Chimborazo
A pre-dawn bus eases out of Quito and the night folds behind you as the Andes widen. By first light the road drops into wide paramo; tussock grass ripples and wind seems to push you along. On arrival at the trailhead the volcanic shoulders of Nevado El Altar loom — rock and glacier interrupted by a pale, yellow lagoon that catches the sun like a held breath.
Geology here is blunt and recent: El Altar is a collapsed stratovolcano whose caldera and surrounding moraines shape deep valleys and isolated lagoons. The area sits inside Sangay National Park and carries Kichwa place names — Kapak Urku — and local ranching culture; shepherds and highland farmers still tend páramo grasses and raise llamas and cattle in the lower slopes.
Expect two days of high-altitude trekking across paramo and rocky trail, camping one night in the Collanes Valley. Distances vary by route but plan for 6–12 km of hiking each day with elevations between roughly 3,800–4,400 m (12,500–14,400 ft); the thin air will define your pace more than the grade. The yellow lagoon (Laguna Amarilla) sits in a shallow cirque and offers sharp photographic opportunities at dawn.
Practical edge: acclimatize in Quito or Riobamba for 24–48 hours, carry layers and a reliable waterproof shell, and pack extra water and a high-calorie snack. Guides manage permits, camping gear, and logistics; bring a daypack with sunscreen, sunglasses, and a simple first-aid kit. Weather can swing from blazing sun to sleet in hours — move early, hydrate, and let the mountain set the tempo.
challenging.
2 days (approx. 48 hours).
Good cardiovascular fitness and experience with sustained uphill hiking at altitude; able to carry a 8–12 kg daypack and tolerate cold nights.
The route is physically demanding primarily because of altitude (3,800–4,400 m). Hikers should be fit, move slowly, and monitor for symptoms of altitude sickness.
No technical backpacking skills are required—guides provide tents and sleeping bags—but basic camping comfort and the ability to sleep in a tent at cold temperatures helps.
Guides provide dinner, breakfast, and water logistics; bring a personal water bottle and purification tablets if you prefer extra water sources on the trail.
This trip includes entrance to Sangay National Park and guide permits as part of the advertised inclusions.
El Altar’s broken summit is the remnant of a massive volcanic collapse with cultural significance to local Kichwa communities who know it as Kapak Urku.
The trek passes within Sangay National Park boundaries; stick to established trails, pack out waste, and respect grazing areas to minimize impact.
Perfect Destiny operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A pre-dawn bus eases out of Quito and the night folds behind you as the Andes widen. By first light the road drops into wide paramo; tussock grass ripples and wind seems to push you along. On arrival at the trailhead the volcanic shoulders of Nevado El Altar loom — rock and glacier interrupted by a pale, yellow lagoon that catches the sun like a held breath.
A pre-dawn bus eases out of Quito and the night folds behind you as the Andes widen. By first light the road drops into wide paramo; tussock grass ripples and wind seems to push you along. On arrival at the trailhead the volcanic shoulders of Nevado El Altar loom — rock and glacier interrupted by a pale, yellow lagoon that catches the sun like a held breath.
Geology here is blunt and recent: El Altar is a collapsed stratovolcano whose caldera and surrounding moraines shape deep valleys and isolated lagoons. The area sits inside Sangay National Park and carries Kichwa place names — Kapak Urku — and local ranching culture; shepherds and highland farmers still tend páramo grasses and raise llamas and cattle in the lower slopes.
Expect two days of high-altitude trekking across paramo and rocky trail, camping one night in the Collanes Valley. Distances vary by route but plan for 6–12 km of hiking each day with elevations between roughly 3,800–4,400 m (12,500–14,400 ft); the thin air will define your pace more than the grade. The yellow lagoon (Laguna Amarilla) sits in a shallow cirque and offers sharp photographic opportunities at dawn.
Practical edge: acclimatize in Quito or Riobamba for 24–48 hours, carry layers and a reliable waterproof shell, and pack extra water and a high-calorie snack. Guides manage permits, camping gear, and logistics; bring a daypack with sunscreen, sunglasses, and a simple first-aid kit. Weather can swing from blazing sun to sleet in hours — move early, hydrate, and let the mountain set the tempo.