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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.
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.
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.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Galapagos Tours Nature Galapagos & Ecuador · Riobamba, Chimborazo
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.
Geology here is blunt and recent — glacial melts and pyroclastic flows shaped El Altar’s caldera and left a shallow, mineral-tinted lagoon at about 4,300 m. Sangay National Park protects this eastern Andean chain; local highland communities historically ran livestock in these valleys and still guide weather-wise travel through sudden storms. Expect clear daylight that turns sharply cold after sunset; the refuge at Collanes provides shelter, wood heat, and shared bunks in classic Andean hut fashion.
Practical guide: hikes range 4–6 hours each day with altitude gain from roughly 3,070 m at the hacienda to 4,300 m at the lagoon viewpoint, so acclimatize in Riobamba and ascend conservatively. Trails become deeply muddy after rain and include short, steep pitches — trekking poles and waterproof boots are essential. The trip is guided, includes transport, refuge lodging, meals, mules for gear, and entry to the park, but carries an insurance age limit to 69 years. Hydrate, layer for wind and cold, and expect communal sleeping and rustic facilities. Timing your trek for the drier months reduces mud but evenings remain bone-cold — plan for slow miles and big views.
challenging.
3 days (approx. 12–18 hours hiking total).
Good cardiovascular fitness with prior multi-hour day-hiking experience; comfortable on steep, muddy trails and at high altitude.
Expect challenging aerobic effort: daily ascents to 4,300 m require steady pacing, hydration, and prior moderate fitness; guides monitor for altitude sickness.
Two nights are spent in Collanes Refuge (shared bunks, basic facilities); the stay is rustic but warm and supplied with meals included in the tour.
The tour supplies basic trekking equipment, waterproof bags, and mules for cargo; personal items like boots, layers, and poles are your responsibility.
Standard supplier insurance covers travelers up to 69 years old; travelers older than 69 should arrange private insurance before booking.
El Altar’s caldera formed from glacial and eruptive processes; the surrounding highlands were historically used by indigenous communities for grazing and seasonal travel.
Sangay National Park protects fragile high Andean habitats; stick to trails, avoid disturbing wildlife, and pack out all waste to limit erosion and pollution.
Galapagos Tours Nature Galapagos & Ecuador operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
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.
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.
Geology here is blunt and recent — glacial melts and pyroclastic flows shaped El Altar’s caldera and left a shallow, mineral-tinted lagoon at about 4,300 m. Sangay National Park protects this eastern Andean chain; local highland communities historically ran livestock in these valleys and still guide weather-wise travel through sudden storms. Expect clear daylight that turns sharply cold after sunset; the refuge at Collanes provides shelter, wood heat, and shared bunks in classic Andean hut fashion.
Practical guide: hikes range 4–6 hours each day with altitude gain from roughly 3,070 m at the hacienda to 4,300 m at the lagoon viewpoint, so acclimatize in Riobamba and ascend conservatively. Trails become deeply muddy after rain and include short, steep pitches — trekking poles and waterproof boots are essential. The trip is guided, includes transport, refuge lodging, meals, mules for gear, and entry to the park, but carries an insurance age limit to 69 years. Hydrate, layer for wind and cold, and expect communal sleeping and rustic facilities. Timing your trek for the drier months reduces mud but evenings remain bone-cold — plan for slow miles and big views.