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Expeditions

Expeditions can be tailored to a variety of tastes. Among those offered are expeditions to the Sangay National Park to climb Ecuador's most active volcano "El Reventador" and expeditions into the tropical rain forests by canoe to areas that are uncolonized and untouched by man in the Upper Amazon Basin and Tropical Forests of the Pacific lowlands.

Itinerary

DAY 1:
Quito-Riobamba.  On the way we visit an Indian market and lunch at an Hacienda.   In Riobamba, accommodations and meals at Abraspungo Hotel.

DAY 2:
After breakfast, first by vehicle and then by foot, we reach the Hacienda Guargualla (3,600 meters).

DAY 3:
Pucara-our first camp.

DAY 4:
Plazapamba-our second camp.

DAY 5:
Plazapamba-our base camp.

DAY 6:
Early ascension to the crater and return to the base camp.

Day 7:
Depending on weather conditions, second attempt to ascend to the crater.

DAY 8:
Day for rest and trekking in the surrounding areas to observe the fantastic geological formations and wildlife.

DAY 9:
Return to Plazapamba.

DAY 10:
Plazapamba-Pucara.

DAY 11:
Pucara Hacienda.  Guargualla-Riobamba.

DAY 12:
Riobamba-Quito.

Altar Expedition

ALTAR (5,404 meters).  The Altar is the most beautiful mountain of Ecuador.  It is an old volcano, very eroded by glaciers.  It appears like a crown of diamonds over the backbone of the Eastern cordillera, surrounded by unaltered vast wild zones of paramo, where deer, bears and condors can be sighted.  There are also several small indian villages and antique haciendas.

The Altar is located at the eastern range, toward the east of the city of Riobamba, from where it can be seen like a wide crown. Its pointed peaks rising above the rounder glacier seem to penetrate into the sky.  It is the most beautiful and grandiose mountain in all of Ecuador.  Because of its shape and splendor it is considered "the masterpiece of volcanic creation".

The Incas called it Capac-Urcu, which means sublime mountain.  The Spanish conquistadors, impressed by its pointed peaks and hanging glaciers, wanted to see in it gothic altars of their beloved imperial Spain.  Later, during the colonial times, it was always referred to in relation to the name Altar, due to its numerous peaks, such as Bishop, Acolyte, which were named sometimes for their shapes or for their location.

The peaks of the Altar form a semi-circle, from North to East and from East to South.   The opening towards the West, where the Caldron (its old crater) is left uncovered, allowing the view of five glaciers from which great masses of ice and snow are constantly falling in great avalanches.

To the South of the Caldron is the highest peak, "The Bishop", a mass of various unnamed peaks with the highest point reaching 5,404 meters.  The "Canon" is located to the North of the Caldron, at 5,355 meters, with its handing glaciers, which precipitate to the bottom.  The third highest peak is the "Mother Superior" with 5,320 meters altitude, located to the East of the "Bishop"; it is a rock needle covered with a hard crust of ash and ice.  To the East of the caldron is the "Tabernacle" which is 5,295 meters high and joined to the high peaks by a series of pointed ice tufts.

Because of the location of the Altar, toward the humid jungle of the high Amazon, huge glaciers can be found that descend in all directions, especially to the Southeast, East and Northeast, creating attractive formations of rock and ice.  These glaciers have formed a number of lakes as well as deep valleys, creating extraordinarily beautiful scenery.

Itinerary

DAY 1:
Quito-Riobamba-Hacienda Releche-camp at Hacienda Releche.

DAY 2:
Hacienda Releche-Valley of Collanes-Camp at Valley of Collanes.

DAY 3:
Camp at Collanes-Ascension to the caldron, old crater of Altar located at 4,500 meters.   Glacial area surrounded by peaks of ice and rock that rise above 5,000 meters.   Return to camp of Collanes.

DAY 4:
Camp at Collanes, Northwestern Cliffs of the Altar at 4,600 meters.  Páramo area (puna) covered with hay and multicolored flowers.  A superb view above the glacial valley of Collanes and the rock peaks of the Northern part of Altar, the hanging claciers and wildlife. Return to camp.

DAY 5:
Camp at Collanes-Negro Paccha, a peak of 5,000 meters located at the end of the Bishop, surrounded by impressive glaciers and lakes.  Return to camp.

DAY 6:
Camp at Collanes, Hacienda Releche, Riobamba or Baños.

Galápagos


In addition to our principal adventure tourism packages, we also offer our clients Galápagos Cruises as an addition to our "mainland" packages or as a stand alone trip.   With the help of our affiliate in Quito we have direct contact with owners and operators of cruise ships and we offer excellent prices on various classes of service including economic, tourist class, first class and luxury.  These trips last for 4-5 and 8 days and they can be arranged for individuals or groups looking to charter a boat for themselves.  We book these trips with the most reliable operators on different types of vessels.

Contact us and we will be pleased to provide further detailed information regarding the magical Galápagos trips we can offer you.