TREKKING & HIKING RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend the following personal equipment for our trekking programs: hiking boots; long underwear; warm jacket (Polar pile or similar); rain jacket and pants; sun glasses; crusher hut; warm cap; sleeping bag; back pack; canteen; ski poles; good walking shoes & other personal items. SHORT HIKES IN THE QUITO AREA CERRO ILALO (5 hours) Ilalo is long extinct and heavily eroded volcano near Quito. In this hike through dirt road and trails from where we have excellent views of the 2 cordilleras. From the top there is an interesting view of Quito to the northwest. Lunch included. PULULAHUA CRATER (6 ½ hours) The Pululahua is an extinct crater located about 30 minutes north of Quito and is said to be the largest crater in South America. It is about 4 Km wide and 300 m deep; its flat and fertile bottom is used for agriculture and in its center there is small hill, Loam Pandora (2,275 m). The floor of the crater is at 2,500-m elevation. The area of the Pululahua is a protected ecological reserve. Lunch is included. THE INCA TRAIL TO INGAPIRCA (6 days) At the height of its power the Inca Empire extended from northern Ecuador to central Chile. This huge area was linked by a complex system of well made and maintained roads, the longest of which stretched over 5,000 Km from Quito to Talc, south of Santiago in Chile. Although today the road is a state of disrepair and in many areas the route has been lost or forgotten it is still possible to find and walk along some remnants of this marvelous road system. One such trail can be found in the southern part of Ecuador's Central Valley and leads to Ingapirca, the most important Inca ruin in Ecuador. This 4-day hike gives a fascinating glimpse of an Andean rural life, which has changed little in hundreds of years. Day 1. - Leaving Quito early in the morning we drive to Riobamba through the "Avenue of the Volcanoes". In Riobamba we have lunch and visit the city. PM. We drive to Achupallas where we'll meet our trekking staff and Indian porters and set our first camp. Dinner and overnight. Camp elevation: 11,150 ft. Day 2. - Breakfast. Our first day of trekking is one of the most difficult as our route heads mostly uphill. Gaining elevation continuously we come to a low pass from which we can observe the glacier formed valley that we will follow in the afternoon. Lunch. At the end of the day we will arrive at Tres Cruces Lake (13,425 ft) where we will have dinner and set the camp. Trek length: 8.5 miles or 7 hours. Camp elevation: 13,450 ft. Day 3. - Today we will climb to the top of the small pass behind the camp and then onto the ridge. We'll be trekking in the paramo ecological zone. Lunch. In the afternoon we'll cross the highest pass of the trek at (14,435-ft) Near Quilloloma peak. Camp and dinner near the Inca ruins of Paredones Tambo (ruined walls) by lake Culebrillas a place of mystic importance to the local Cañari Indians. Trek length: 8 miles or 6.5 hours. Camp elevation: 13,000 ft. Day 4. - Breakfast. We begin our final trekking day early this morning following a route that descends all the way to Ingapirca, the best preserved Inca Ruins and finest example of the Inca Imperial style of architecture in Ecuador. Lunch. Late in the afternoon we drive to Cuenca. Overnight in Cuenca. Trek length: 8.5 miles or 7 hours. Day 5. - Breakfast.- Full morning visiting Cuenca and its surroundings. Lunch. PM. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Quito. Overnight in Quito. Day 6. - Breakfast. Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to take the international flight or extension program. THE CONDOR ROUTE (7 Days) The Condor route is the very famous Antisana to Cotopaxi hike, which according to many trekkers is the best in Ecuador. It certainly is one of the most challenging, being physically demanding and requiring some route-finding ability. Can also test one's capacity for inclement weather and mud slogging, depending on the season. Day 1. - Leaving Quito early morning we drive northeast towards the trail near Papallacta, where we load our camping gear onto horses and mules. Starting our trek we walk towards the Antisana volcano. Lunch. First camp at Laguna Volcano. Dinner and overnight. Trek length: 5 miles or 4.5 hours. Camp elevation: 11,600 ft. Day 2. - Breakfast. Our hike starts climbing steeply along the ridges of deep gorges, passing through boggy terrain towards the plains at the base of the impressive Antisana. In today's trek we'll have the best opportunities to observe the world's largest flying bird: the majestic condor. Lunch. PM. We continue with our trek to the place where we will establish our second camp. Dinner and overnight. Trek length: 8.5 miles or 7 hours. Camp elevation: 13,360 ft. Day 3. - Breakfast. This morning we hike to the Jatunhaicu Valley. Most of our route today is cross-country passing some swampy areas and crossing several rivers beneath a series of low paramo cover hills. Lunch. If weather conditions permit we can make an optional side trip to visit Micacocha Lake, known for its good trout fishing, adding an additional 3.5 miles or 3 hours to the day. Trek length: 4.5 miles or 3 hours. Camp elevation: 12,680 ft. Day 4. - Breakfast. Today's trail approaches to Sincholagua's southeastern side. As we draw nearer to Sincholagua we'll pass through valleys heading uphill the Shutog gorge. Lunch. At the far end we establish our camp. Dinner and overnight. Trek length: 7.5 miles or 5.5 hours. Camp elevation: 12,850 ft. Day 5. - Breakfast. Today we will hike to the Cotopaxi National Park towards the Pita River Valley, where we will establish our final camp near a small Inca checkpoint Pucara de Salitre. Lunch on the way. Dinner and overnight at the camp. Trek length: 8.5 miles or 7 hours. Camp elevation: 12,005 ft. Day 6. - Breakfast. We will explore more of the Cotopaxi National Park. Lunch. PM. Return to Quito. Overnight. Day 7. - Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to take the international flight or extension program.