A two-day guided trek from Baños into the Collanes Valley and up to Laguna Amarilla (Yellow Lagoon). Expect high páramo, glacier-sculpted lagoons, and simple refuge accommodation — best for hikers comfortable with altitude and variable weather.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step from the bus into thin, cold air and the broken teeth of El Altar fill the horizon — sculpted ridges, hanging glaciers and a bowl of glacial lagoons waiting below. The walk begins on cow-swept hacienda trails, climbs into high páramo, and finishes at Los Collanes refuge where the mountain’s walls dwarf the sky.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
2 days
Fitness Level
Good cardiovascular fitness and experience with sustained uphill hiking at altitude (3,000–4,000 m) is recommended.
Wildlife
History
El Altar’s collapsed caldera and hanging glaciers reflect volcanic eruptions and glacial sculpting; local Kichwa communities have named and used the mountain landscape for centuries.
Conservation
This high-altitude ecosystem is fragile; stick to trails, pack out waste, and follow refuge rules to minimize impact on peat bogs and glacial-fed streams.
Reserve your spot on the El Altar Volcano |Trekking | Yellow Lagoon | full day today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimatize in Baños or Riobamba
Spend 24–48 hours at lower altitude with light activity before the trek to reduce altitude sickness risk.
Water and snacks
Carry 2–3 liters of water and calorie-dense snacks; drinks and box lunches are provided but on-trail options are limited.
Footwear and traction
Wear waterproof hiking boots with firm ankle support and bring trekking poles for steep or scree sections.
Start early for lagoon light
The best light and calmer weather at Laguna Amarilla is early morning, so expect pre-dawn departures from the refuge.
Waterproof hiking boots
Keeps feet dry and protected on wet páramo and rocky trails.
Insulating layers and waterproof shell
Layering manages big temperature swings and sudden rain or wind.
Trekking poles
Improves balance on steep slopes and reduces knee strain on descents.
Headlamp with spare batteries
Necessary for pre-dawn starts and low-light refuge movement.