Condor Trek : Antisana

"Antisana "

"Ecuador"

The Trek of the Antisana is a classic paramo hike with excellent views of snow-capped volcanoes and a chance to see the endangered Andean Condor. You travel through Antisana Ecological Reserve and Cotopaxi National Park, two of South America's most spectacular highland parks. The paramo near Antisana is more varied than anywhere else in the world. Flowering Puya plants (with flowers up to 10 meters high) are plentiful, and, together with abundant orchids and other flowering plants, provide nectar to the many hummingbirds. There are even some rather subdued looking FRAILEJONES. Animals, such as tailed deer, mountain tapir, puma, and spectacled bear, call it their home, which they share with Andean condors, lapwings, rainbow ducks and many other birds. Antisana itself is a splendid volcano with four peaks covered with blue glaciers (5705 meters/18.705 ft). To the west is Cotopaxi, showing us its best profile. We undertake a moderate trek through this stunning landscape scattered with volcanoes, towards Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in Ecuador (5897 meters/19.334 ft) to climb it.

The Itinerary

Day 1:
From Quito transport by car to El Tambo on the highlands of Papallacta. From here equipment and luggage is carried by mules and the trek(4 hours) head south-west to the lower plains around the volcano lake. Camp 1 at 3800 m. (BL, D).

Day 2:
Early start for the longest trek (5-6 hours) of the trip. Some hill climbing is to start later on crossing a luxuriant polilepis forest, then with beautiful views throughout the day. Arrival at the next camp on the north-western side of the Antisana volcano at Santa Lucia highlands from where we can enjoy magnificent views of Antisana volcano. There is also a possibility of seeing condors at some time during the day. Camp 2 at 4200 m. (B, BL, D)

Day 3:
(6 hours trek). Trek towards the base of the southern peak of Antisana, traversing the moraines at the foothills of the beautiful volcano. Camp is set at 4500 m, just below the southern peak. The landscape here is spectacular! (B, BL, D)

Day 4:
Trekking towards the Mica lagoon where we will meet our car and then be transported back to Quito. On your way down to the high Antisana plateau watch for condors. (B, BL)

General Information

Rated: moderate

Tour Tariff - Private Departures
N° of Participants	2	3	4
USD	$ 757	$ 567	$ 481
EUR	€ 629	€ 470	€ 399
GBP	£ 424	£ 317	£ 269

(*) Price last updated on 05 January 2006. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a
quotation request


Included:
All meals during the excursion, professional mountain guide, camping equipment, cook, and mules to carry the weight, entrances to parks & reserves, private transportation.

Not included:
Personal trekking equipment, tips, extras.