5 Day Condor Trek

Manolo Guerra

This is a famous trek in Ecuador that takes you through the vast highlands of the Eastern Ecuadorian Andes passing by the Antisana Ecological Reserve and Cotopaxi National Park. We will hike over five days at an average of 13.000 ft / 4.000 m through the foothills of giant volcanoes such as Antisana, Sincholagua, and Cotopaxi. Definitely an amazing expedition for people who love to be in the wilds of nature.

*It is also possible to do this trekking in 4 or 6 days, ask for details!

Distance: 55 km
$950.00 USD
Trekking
Fitness Level
Skill Level
Days

Servicio válido para 2023.

Tour 5 Day Condor Trek

Day 1: Tambo –Tuminguina Lake

Early in the morning, we start our adventure driving from Quito for about 90 minutes to El Tambo in the highlands of the Eastern Andes, where the trek begins. In this place, we will have time to ready our luggage and equipment on the mules and our day backpack. We will hike through the moor for 4 hours until we reached our first camp located at the Laguna de Tuminguina or Laguna del Volcán at about 11.800 ft / 3.600 m. In the afternoon we will have time to rest and have dinner.

MEALS: Box Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Camping 

 

Day 2: Tuminguina Lake  – Antisana

This will be a tough day. After breakfast our day begins, this day we will reach almost to one of the highest points of the trek at 14.100 ft / 4.300 m.  This day we can enjoy a spectacular view of this volcano and the diversity of its moorlands. After about 6 hours of hiking, we reach the second camp, where we will rest and have dinner with a beautiful view of Antisana. 

MEALS: Breakfast + Box Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Camping

 

Day 3: Antisana - Pullurima

This day we continue hiking towards to Sincholagua Volcano through the Andean highlands passing through unique landscapes surrounded by flora and fauna such as rabbits, paramo wolves and, if luck is with us, we will have the opportunity to see the impressive Andean condor. In the afternoon, after 5 hours of walking we will arrive at the Pullurima camp at 13.100 ft / 4.000 m at the base of Sincholagua, where we will rest and spend the night. 

MEALS: Breakfast + Box Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Camping

 

Day 4: Pullurima - Sincholagua 

This day the journey continues, this tima getting closer to the second high altitude pass at the bottom of Sincholagua Vocano at 4.400 m / 14.400 ft. After approximately 5 hours of hiking we will set up our last camp of this incredible crossing, getting closer to our final goal, Cotopaxi volcano! 

MEALS: Breakfast + Box Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Camping

 

Day 5: Sincholagua  - Cotopaxi 

Finally, on this last day we will descend along the slopes of Sincholagua, until we reach the Pita River in the northern limit of Cotopaxi National Park. To celebrate the end of this amazing expedition, we will eat a delicious and well-deserved dish of food in a cozy restaurant with a spectacular view of Cotopaxi. Then we start the trip back to Quito.

MEALS: Breakfast + Box Lunch + Lunch

INCLUDED

  • Transportation 
  • Bilingual certified guides (ASEGUIM/IFMGA)
  • Local guide and pack mules
  • Meals indicated in the itinerary
  • Safe drinking water during the whole program
  • Camping equipment: double tents, sleeping pad, plate, cup, and spoon
  • Group camping equipment: cooking stoves, cooking tent, cooking supplies, etc
  • Permits and park fees

 

NOT INCLUDED

  • Flight tickets
  • Airport transfers
  • Arrival day lodging and meals in Quito
  • Travel Insurance
  • Extra sports and alcoholic drinks
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips

REQUIRED

  • Travel or duffel bag for all equipment and personal stuff. You should put all your stuff in plastic bags to be carried by the mules. We will only have access to them once we reach the campsites
  • Day backpack for the acclimatization hikes and climbs (25-35 L)
  • Comfortable, warm clothing (1st and 2nd layers)
  • Rain jacket and rain pants (3rd layer)
  • Winter hat and/or face mask
  • Thermal and waterproof gloves*
  • Liners and thermal socks (1st and 2nd layers)
  • Cap, sunglasses and sun screen
  • Hiking boots
  • Rubber boots
  • Trekking poles
  • Headlamp* with extra batteries
  • Personal grooming kit
  • Sleeping bag*
  • Change of clothes and shoes
  • Bottles or thermos to refill water

 

RECOMMENDED

  • Gaiters*
  • Sport drinks
  • Dry bags to protect personal stuff

*You can rent this items with us  

 

5 DAY CONDOR TREK
DAY ACTIVITY DISTANCE TIME FITNESS LEVEL SKILL LEVEL HIGHEST ELEVATION LOWEST ELEVATION ELEVATION GAIN
1 Tambo - Tuminguina 6 km / 6.2 mi 5 hrs moderate novice 3.900 m / 12.800 ft 3.600 m / 11.800 ft 350 m / 1.150 ft
2 Tuminguina - Antisana 7 km / 6.8 mi 6 hrs intermediate novice 4.300 m / 14.100 ft 3.600 m / 11.800 ft 750 m / 2.460 ft
3 Antisana - Pullurima 16 km / 8.4 mi 6 hrs moderate novice 4.350 m / 14.270 ft 4.000 m / 13.120 ft 180 m / 590 ft
4 Pullurima - Sincholagua 11 km / 6.8 mi 6 hrs intermediate novice 4.300 m / 14.100 ft 3.850 m / 12.630 ft 500 m / 1.640 ft
5 Sincholagua - Cotopaxi 18 km / 1.9 km 6 hrs moderate novice 4.400 m / 14.430 ft 3.600 m / 11.800 ft 190 m / 620 ft
TOTAL
  58 km / 34 mi 28 hrs intermediate novice 4.400 m / 14.430 ft 3.600 m / 11.800 ft 1.970 m / 6.460 ft

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Before contracting services with TATOO EXPEDITIONS, please read our terms and conditions carefully:

CONTRACTING AND CANCELLATION POLICIES

DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION REQUIRED

When contracting a trip with TATOO EXPEDITIONS the following participant information and documentation is required:

REGISTRATION FORM:

After confirming the payment of the contracted services, you will receive an email with a link for the tour participant to complete the registration form. The registration form contains the participant’s personal, medical and emergency information, which must be filled out in order to participate in the tour with TATOO EXPEDITIONS.

If you want to save the registration form information for future events, you can register and create an account with TATOO EXPEDITIONS, otherwise you can do the whole process as a guest, but you must fill out the form with your data every time. If you created an account when paying for the services of TATOO EXPEDITIONS, enter it to fill out the registration form and register your data.

UNDERSTANDING OF RISK AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY

Together with the registration form you must read and accept the Understanding of Risk and Release of Liability document, which must be signed at the beginning of the tour.

PAYMENTS, RESERVATIONS AND CONFIRMATIONS

TOUR WITH FIXED DATES, PRIVATE TOURS OR CUSTOM TOURS

RESERVATIONS


A tour with a fixed date, private tour or custom tour can be booked up to 61 days before the start date of the tour with an advance payment of 50% of the total value quoted.

CONFIRMATIONS

To confirm a reservation for a tour with a fixed date, private tour or custom tour, the balance of 50% must be paid up to 60 days prior to the tour’s start date.

In case of contracting a tour with a fixed date, private tour or custom tour within 60 days prior to the start date of the same, 100% of the quoted value must be paid.

LAST MINUTE TOUR

A last-minute tour cannot be reserved, 100% of the quoted value must be paid.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:

POLICY FOR CANCELLATION BY THE CUSTOMER

TOUR WITH FIXED DATES, PRIVATE TOURS OR CUSTOM TOURS

Any cancellation must be notified via email to info@tatooexpeditions.com. In case the client cancels the tour, a penalty of the tour price will be charged based on the following policies:

PENALTIES

A penalty will be charged if the tour has been canceled within:

  • 90 days or more: 15% of the total tour value
  • From 60 days to 89 days: 50% of the total tour value
  • From 30 days to 59 days: 75% of the total tour value
  • 30 days or less: 100% of the total tour value

LAST MINUTE TOUR

Any cancellation of a last-minute tour must be notified via email to info@tatooexpeditions.com. There is no return or exchange with other departures for cancellations of a last-minute tour.

TATOO EXPEDITIONS CANCELLATION POLICY:

All departures require a minimum of registrants to undertake the same, in case of not meeting the minimum or in case of cancellation due to force majeure by Tatoo Expeditions, the registration fees may be returned as a credit for future events or by bank transfer of according to what the client requests.

The tour will be reimbursed only and as long as TATOO EXPEDITIONS cancel the tour before its start due to unusual problems or external factors such as: adverse weather conditions, natural catastrophes, strikes, civil disorders, government restrictions or regulations, war, quarantine or others.

TATOO EXPEDITIONS acts directly as a Tour Operator and is responsible for the quality of the services that correspond to the logistics of the tour. However, there are third-party services that TATOO EXPEDITIONS contracts. From a wide range of tourist services, we have chosen the best quality and professional services, however, our responsibility is limited to the terms of the land transport companies, accommodation and food contracts.

TATOO EXPEDITIONS is not responsible for delays, inconveniences, accident expenses or mishaps of any kind, as a result of the total or partial negligence of third parties or causes beyond our control. All these expenses and losses must be borne by the passenger. We recommend that travelers obtain travel and personal insurance to cover these possible mishaps.

PARTIAL CHANGES OF ITINERARY AND CANCELLATION:

For TATOO EXPEDITIONS, safety and health are a priority in our programs. If the conditions of the climate, terrain, roads or other external factors that are under our control jeopardize the normal development of the planned activities, or if the clients are not in good health, physical or technical training; the guides and the agency reserve the right to modify the itinerary at any time in order to protect the integrity of the passengers. Likewise, the right is reserved, to replace the accommodation or means of transport and make changes to the itinerary when deemed necessary.

SURCHARGES

  • All of our multi-day tours include accommodations in double rooms, in case of requesting a single room a 30% surcharge will be made to the value of the tour.
  • Our guides are bilingual (Spanish and English), in case of requesting guides that speak German, Italian or French a 20% surcharge will be made to the value of the tour.

 

 

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