This
major trek
involves a
spectacular
3 to 4 day
walk through
the Paramo
and an exciting
opportunity
to see the
Andean
Condor
[near
extinction]
with plenty
of snow -capped
volcanoes
along the
way.
The hike is
challenging
and covers
some hard
terrain crossing
the Cotopaxi
National Park
as well as
the Antisana
Ecological
Reserve.
Note:
Waterproof
clothes and
rubber boots
are essential,
as well as
sleeping bags
for the various
camping sites
en route as
well as food,
compasses
and a trail
map.
The trail
starts by
with a muddy
path to the
right of Rio
Tambo, 90
minutes from
Quito on the
route to Baeza
where you
will find
a bridge with
mules and
guides next
to a group
of kiosks.
Cross over
to the left
side of the
river, and
then follow
a track to
a ridge on
the left side
before continuing
on over the
ridge in a
southeasterly
direction
towards the
Laguna
Vulcan
[Laguna
Tumiguina].
Follow the
trail upwards
to the end
of this lake
[South
direction]
until you
reach a confluence
of three rivers.
Look for the
trail in the
centre of
Quebrada
Sunfohuaycu
and the stream
and head due
east. Then
head up the
grassy slopes
to a muddy
path into
the cloudforest
area.
East of the
cloudforest
hike up
the slopes
of Antisanilla
then continue
upwards towards
the area of
Antisana
until
the land levels
out revealing
an impressive
lake often
surrounded
by foggy mists.
The lake,
Laguna
Santa Lucia,
is
home to roaming
wild horses
and Andean
gulls. Five
hours' drive
away is Laguna
Tumiguina,
where you
can camp overnight
and soak up
the serenity.
From the western
rim of the
lake follow
the gravel
track through
the Paramo
and onto the
road to Pintag
passing Hacienda
Antisana.
The hacienda
sometimes
charges US
$10.00*
for crossing
the land.
From here
you'll need
to cross over
an area resembling
a golf course.
This will
lead you to
the northern
sector of
Loma
Mangourcu
and down to
Quebrada
Jatunhuaycu.
Once you've
crossed the
small stream
walk east
to the pass.
After crossing
the marshland
continue onto
Quebrada
Pullurima
Viejo.
From here
walk towards
the trail
that takes
you up the
hilltop then
hike down
to Ladrillos.
Climb
the next incline
that then
leads down
into the U-shaped
valley of
Quebrada
Huallanta.
This is approximately
6-7 hours
past Laguna
Santa Lucia
and is a great
location for
viewing different
types of Condor
and also has
a few camping
sites.
The following
day involves
a hike up
the valley
beginning
with Sincholagua.
You'll
find a waterfall
closeby, flanked
by attractive
red rock.
From here
hike down
further springy
type vegetation
slopes to
the bottom
then walk
the trail
that forms
the right
hand side
of the Quebrada
Merced valley.
From the ridge
head towards
a car track
which takes
you down to
a bridge which
takes you
over the Rio
Pita.
It's around
6 hours from
Quebrada
Huallanta
and on to
the Rio
Pita
bridge.
After
crossing the
bridge you'll
hike over
some washed
out gravel
plains then
arrive at
a junction
where you
can take a
small route
crossing the
plain to the
climbers refuge.
There is a
nice camping
site here
near the lake
known as Laguna
Limpiopungo.
From the refuge
you can usually
hitch a ride
onto the Panamericana
or alternatively
hike a good
5 hours from
Rio
Pita.
Once you are
on the Panamericana
highway there
will be plenty
of buses heading
both north
and south.
*Prices
are approximate
Last
updated 25th
July 2006
