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Baños and the Tungurahua

"Ecuador"

TILL FURTHER NOTICE, CLIMBING THE TUNGURAHUA IS IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO THE VOLCANIC ACTIVITY

View on Banos – Ecuador The Andean mountain range in Ecuador, comprises one of the largest concentrations of volcanoes in the world, and is often thought of as the spine of Ecuador. The Pan–American Highway and the railroad run north–south between the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Ecuador’s position on the equator means that you travel through the Avenue, past fields and farms, orchids and palm trees, with tundra vegetation and snow visible on the volcanic mountains above. By leaving the valley and hiking or climbing up, you pass through all the earth’s ecological zones, from sub–tropical to arctic. Baños is a thermal city below the Cotopaxi National Park. Its thermal hot springs bubble out of the side of the wild and unruly Tungurahua (5016m/16445ft), which broods above the town. The gentle, sub–tropical climate and vegetation offers relief after the chill of the highlands. Baños is the access point to climb Tungurahua, situated in Sangay National Park. The hike to the crater is technically easy but physically arduous and requires no previous climbing experience.

Tungurahua – Banos – – Ecuador Day 1:
We leave Quito in southernly direction to Ambato, the capital of Tungurahua Province, and continue our journey to the town of Baños. From here, a dirt road leads to the small community of Pondoa, where our gear will be packed onto horses. From Pondoa to the refuge (3.800m), it takes about four hours along a ridge with many beautiful views. It is a hard but interesting walk, through lush vegetation, steep in parts and muddy underfoot. Overnight in the refuge (D).

Day 2:
After an early breakfast, we start the 4–hour ascent to Tungurahua’s summit. First, we head south by southeast on a very steep slope towards the edge of the crater. From here, a straight walk up through a gentle snowfield takes us to the summit. The descent to the refuge takes about three hours. From the refuge, we return to Pandoa village and travel on to Baños. Overnight in hotel (BL).

Day 3:
Day to explore Baños and surroundings, before returning to Quito through the Valley of the Volcanoes (B).

Rated: Moderate

Included:
Lodging in tourist or first class hotels day 2 and in refuge day 1, meals as mentioned, transportation in private car, experienced mountain guides

Not included:
other meals

Ecuador Magical Mystery Tour Ecuadors Many Worlds The Individual Travellers' Selection Ecuador Total Quito & Indian Markets Pathway through the Andes to the Coast The Avenue of the Volcanoes Galapagos Islands Shamanism & Natural Healing Kapawi Ecolodge and Reserve Kapawi Cultural Program Huaorani, the Spirit of the Jaguar Siecoya Rainforest Adventure The Cofan of Zabalo in Cuyabeno The Quichua of the Upper Napo River The Napo Runas Quichua La Selva Lodge Sacha Lodge La Casa del Suizo Amazon Safari - Yacuma Lodge Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve Tapir Lodge in Cuyabeno Adventure in Cuyabeno Yuturi Lodge Manatee Amazon Explorer Cruise Condors at the Antisana Reserve Mindo Umbrellabird Sanctuary Tinalandia Ornithological Reserve Bellavista Hummingbird Paradise Maquipucuna Reserve