Chimborazo Reserve
Following the footsteps of Alexander von Humboldt
Hike along the picturesque Abraspungo valley where you encounter herds of wild roaming vicuñas and where you can appreciate wonderful sceneries of the highest snowcapped volcano of Ecuador, Chimborazo with its neighbor, the exstinct volcano Carihuairazo. You pass an indigenous settlement and meet locals looking after their sheep and alpaca herds. Your last trekking day leads to the refuge of Chimborazo at 4850 meters. This trekking and its ambience is one of the most scenic in Ecuador.
Duration: 3 Days
PRICE PER PERSON IN USD 2023- $84302 Pax
- $68903 Pax
- $46604 - 06 Pax
- $21Single Supplement
OVERVIEW
- – Day 1: Trek along agriculture fields to Plazapamba camp site, 4200 meters, overnight in tents.
- – Day 2: Traverse the Abraspungo valley to an indigenous settlement, overnight in tents 4200m.
- – Day 3: Follow the vicuña-trail toward Chimborazo refuge at 4850 meters and return to Quito
GENERAL INFORMATION
A previous acclimatization to the altitude is required. We recommend at least 5 nights in the highlands of Ecuador. (Quito or similar altitude)
- – Private transportation
- – Licensed English speaking trekking guide
- – Accommodation based on spacious double tent
- – Complete trekking equipment
- – Experienced trekking cook and assistant cook in case of larger groups
- – Meals according to the itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch or box lunch, D = dinner)
- – Entrance fees and permits
- – Costs trekking crew
- – Walking poles if required
- – Water bottle of recycled material and sufficient drinking water
- – All measures for bio security
- – First aid kit
- – Single tent supplement
- – Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bag* and trekking boots (see packing list)
- – Not mentioned meals
- – Personal expenses
- – Eventually tips
- – Travel insurance
Note: * 4 season sleeping bag can be rented with previous advice.
FULL ITINERARY:
Trek along agriculture fields to Plazapamba camp site, 4200 meters, overnight in tents
Early morning you depart from Quito toward the foothills of Chimborazo volcano. From here you start hiking on a rural road and will pass indigenous settlements. You will encounter local people working on the fields and looking after their animals. The environment will change into typical grassland, named “Paramo”. The campsite is pitched up at the Plazapamba area from where you have wonderful views of the nearby Carihuairazo, Tungurahua, Chimborazo and sometimes Sangay volcanoes. Overnight in tents.
Travel time 3.5 hours, 4-5 hours hike, sleeping altitude 4200 meters (L-D)
Traverse the Abraspungo valley to an indigenous settlement, overnight in tents 4200m
Today you hike through the Abraspungo valley which divides Carihuairazo from the Chimborazo volcano. You pass little lakes, moorlands and observe many wild vicuñas. These cute animals are the smallest kind of the Camelids family and a relative of the llama. Only in the Chimborazo area you find them in Ecuador. In the afternoon you reach the settlement of Mechahuasca. It’s common to see local people looking after alpaca and sheep herds. There is a little community based refuge where you’re going to stay for one night.
5-6 hours trek, sleeping altitude 4200 meters (B-L-D)
Follow the vicuña-trail toward Chimborazo refuge at 4850 meters and return to Quito
The higher you go, the drier the ambience. This day you hike often cross country through sandy and stony terrain. You’re wondering, how the vicuñas survive in this desert-like environment. Surprisingly they find enough food and do only need little water. After a great hike you reach the refuge of Chimborazo, from where you will be taken back to Quito.
Travel time 4 hours, 6-7 hours hike (B-L)
