treks + alpine
4 Days- Andes to Cloud Forest Trek
2 Days- Sendero de los Machetes: Andes to Cloud Forest Hike
4 Days- Volcanoes of Imbabura Tour
4 Days- Andes to Cloud Forest Trek
Starting on the south face of the 4949 meter Cotacachi Volcano hikers embark on a four-day crossing of high grassland páramos passing through a windy landscape of alpine lakes and wild horses over the Continental Divide to the tiny cloud forest village of Irubí.
The descent down the western flank of the Andes to the farming town of Irubí sees an incredible change in ecosystems --from páramo to cloud forest-- as we drop from 4000 to 2150 meters on this leg of the hike.
We pass through part of the Chocó cloud forest, designated one of the world´s ten most bio-diverse ecosystems by UNESCO, and home to more than 270 tree species per hectare in some places. We descend the beautiful Apuela River Valley, through cloud forest and small farms to cabins on the Íntag River nestled next to volcanic hot springs.
Day 1-Meeting in Otavalo at 07:00 we drive in trucks to 2800 meters on the south flank of Volcán Cotacachi. From this departure point we spend the morning traversing the volcano’s southeastern face along a rough track, entering the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve and descending into the páramo, or high alpine grasslands. We lunch on the shore of Lago Cristococha, a beautiful alpine lake at 3762 meters mirroring the Cotacachi Volcano and make camp on the shore of an alpine stream. We trek for 4-6 hours today. It is the shortest hiking day, but also the steepest! Moderately difficult. Horse supported.
Day 2- We spend the morning crossing the western cordillera of the Andes under the watchful eye of the Cotacachi volcano, and passing through the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve --one of the world´s most biodiverse protected areas. We trek for 6-8 hours today and this is the longest hiking day.Horse supported.
Day 3- Today we descend into the loud forest losing more than 1000 meters of altitude. The ecological changes are incredible! We follow a river valley to the isolated cloud forest farming town of Irubí. We camp in tents in Irubí at 2150m. The trek today takes 6-8 hours and is of moderate difficulty. Horse supported.
Day 4- From Irubí we continue to descend through cloud forest and small farms along the Apuela River, enjoying commanding views of the Íntag region, and eventually arriving at the town of Apuela. From Apuela we travel by truck several kilometers down the valley to the town of Nangulví at 1400 meters and its famous volcanic hot springs where we stay in on the shore of the Íntag River and soak our tired legs. Today's trek is moderate, and we walk for 6-8 hours. Truck supported. Back to Otavalo after breakfast the next day.
(4 days-3 nights) Horse supported so participants hike only with day packs. (includes guides, tents, reserve fees, horses, food/lodging/pool entrance at Nangulví hot springs, all transport: inc. Otavalo-starting point/finish point-Otavalo.
Sendero de los Machetes: Andes to Cloud Forest Hike
This is a gorgeous trek for people with a limited amount of time. Like our Andes to Cloud Forest trek, this overnight hike descends the western flank of the Andes from the high alpine grasslands to the sub-tropical Íntag cloud forest. We follow the old mule path that once connected the Íntag region with the commercial center of Otavalo. The biological diversity and change on this hike is stunning.
Day 1- Leaving our hotel in Otavalo at 7AM we travel 1 hour by car to the mountain town of Wayrapungo where our walk begins. We descend from 3500 meters down to 1500 meters in our first day, and change in altitude that provides an amazing transition in ecosystems from Páramo to cloud forest. There is excellent birdwatching on this leg of the hike. After an all-day, downhill hike we arrive at the small village of Azabí where we make camp by a beautiful river.
Day 2- From Irubí we continue to follow the old trail passing through cloud forest and crossing rivers on hanging bridges, arriving in the afternoon at the market town of Apuelawhere waiting transport takes us to the Cabañas Rio Grande and the Nangulví volcanic hot springs. We enjoy a well-deserved soak and an ice cold beer while a delicious dinner is prepared.
Day 3- After breakfast we take a tour of the Rio Intag coffee cooperative project before traveling by bus to Lago Cuicocha where we enjoy lunch overlooking this beautiful crater lake. Back to Otavalo by 4PM.
(3 days-2 nights): Car supported so participants hike only with day packs. (includes guides, tents, reserve fees, food/lodging/pool entrance at Nangulví hot springs, all transport: inc. Otavalo-starting point/finish point-Otavalo.
Volcanoes of Imbabura Tour
This hiking tour provides participants with a series of beautiful day hikes and non-technical volcano ascents combined with the comfort and cuisine of excellent accommodation. This tour is also a super way to acclimate for an attempt on one of Ecuador’s higher, glaciated peaks like Cotopaxi.
Day 1- We spend the morning exploring the world famous Otavalo market –the largest artisan market in the Americas! Lunch. In the afternoon we visit the Parque Condor, a bird rescue center where we can observe a plethora of native avian species. We end our day with a short walk from Parque Condor to the sacred Casacada de Peguche, a waterfall near town. Travel 30 minutes to the Mirador Hotel overlooking Lago Cuicocha. Dinner.
Day 2- After breakfast we embark on our hike around the beautiful Cuicocha volcanic crater lake. Our day hike circumnavigates the lake and provides clear day views of the Cayambe and Imbaura volcanos. We learn about the geologic history of the Northern Andes and the flora and fauna of the high altitude Páramo grassland ecosystem. The hike takes about 6 hours. We finish our hike at the Mirador hotel where a delicious lunch awaits. Travel 30 minutes to Hostal La Luna outside Otavalo. Dinner.
Day 3- After an early breakfast we travel 30 minutes up to another crater lake: Laguna Mojanda. Starting at 3700 meters we make our ascent of the Fuya Fuya Volcano (4100meters, 4 hours round trip). Clear days provide views as far south as the Chimborazo Volcano! After bagging our first Andean peak we head back to La Luna for a delectable lunch. Travel 1 hour to the town of La Esperanza and our hotel, Casa Aida. Dinner.
Day 4- Today we reach our highest point and climb the Imbabura Volcano! After an early breakfast we travel by car 30 minutes up to our starting point at 3800 meters. This extinct and rugged mountain provides an excellent test for hikers with ambitions of climbing Cotopaxi. Condor sightings are frequent. The round trip hike to the summit and back takes between 8 and 10 hours and provides climbers with stunning views of the Andes and a sense of great personal accomplishment. Back to Otavalo where we stay at the colonial Hotel Riviera Sucre.
(4 days – 4 nights, Tour includes all food, lodging, guides, transport from Otavalo and activities.
Chasqui Treks works with Ecuador's Best ASEGUIM certified mountain guides to custom design mountaineering adventures for our clients. From Ecuador's big 4 -glaciated peaks --Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Antisana and Cayambe-- to lesser known, remote mountains like Carihuairazo, Iliniza Sur, and Sumaco we help you design the perfect alpine expedition for your skill level and acclimatization goals.
Private guides, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety and transparency make our mountaineering expeditions in Ecuador second to none.
