A three-day guided trek from Riobamba into Sangay National Park reaches Laguna Amarilla at 4,300 m, crossing steep, muddy Andean trails and overnighting at Collanes Refuge. Expect high-altitude hiking, shared huts, and dramatic volcanic views.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the van into thin air: wind nips at your face and the Andes spread in hard-edged ridges around a valley carved by the Collanes River. Guides and mules rearrange packs while distant cliffs hint at the extinct Altar Volcano whose crater now holds Laguna Amarilla. Over the next three days the landscape alternates between muddy saddle paths, steep scree, and broad volcanic bowls where tussock grass clings to rocky soil.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
3 days (approx. 12–18 hours hiking total)
Fitness Level
Good cardiovascular fitness with prior multi-hour day-hiking experience; comfortable on steep, muddy trails and at high altitude.
Wildlife
History
El Altar’s caldera formed from glacial and eruptive processes; the surrounding highlands were historically used by indigenous communities for grazing and seasonal travel.
Conservation
Sangay National Park protects fragile high Andean habitats; stick to trails, avoid disturbing wildlife, and pack out all waste to limit erosion and pollution.
Reserve your spot on the 3-Day Altar Volcano Trekking Tour to Laguna Amarilla from Riobamba today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimatize in Riobamba
Spend at least a day in Riobamba (3,000 m) before starting to cut altitude-sickness risk; move slowly on the trail.
Waterproof your kit
Trails get deeply muddy—waterproof boots and dry bags for spare clothes keep you moving and comfortable in the refuge.
Use trekking poles
Poles reduce strain on knees during steep descents and improve balance on mud and scree.
Layer for wide temperature swings
Bring breathable base layers, an insulated mid-layer, and a windproof shell — nights are significantly colder than daytime.
Waterproof hiking boots
Essential for deep mud and steep, wet trails encountered daily.
Insulated mid-layer and windproof shell
Nights at the refuge and high-altitude viewpoints get very cold; layering controls core temperature.
Trekking poles
Help with balance on muddy descents and reduce fatigue on long uphill sections.
Dry bags and spare socks
Keep spare clothing dry and bring multiple sock changes—the trails regularly soak footwear.