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scaling Sangay Trek & Climbing

Available season for this trek is from october to march. During the rest of the year there is too much rain, therefore it is impossible to run this trek.

We begin in Riobamba, capital city of Chimborazo province. The local people know Riobamba as Sultana of the Andes, because this city is located between the following mountains: West of Chimborazo with 6310m. (20’696feet) North East of Tungurahua Volcano with 5016m (16’452feet). On the East side El Altar with 5319m (17’446feet). Behind this mountain we have the very famous Sangay Volcano with 5230m (17’154feet) in the South East side from Riobamba. For all this reasons, Riobamba has the nickname of Sultana of the Andes.


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INTRODUCTION ABOUT SANGAY NATIONAL PARK

Sangay trek is a beautiful wild area with excellent opportunities for trekking and climbing. Sangay National Park was created in 1979. It had initially 270.000 hectares with such biological richness, that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1992. Finally the Ecuadorian Government expanded the Park to the South and the Park has today 517,725 hectares. Now we have in Ecuador central Sierra the largest Park, which includes three provinces, Chimborazo, Tungurahua and Morona Santiago. This last province connects to the Amazon area. This park offers Flora and Fauna from the lowland rainforest to alpine tundra, not surprisingly it is home of a staggering diversity of flora and fauna. The park range encloses 10 different life zones, cold weather 4,400 meters, warm weather from 3,000 to 2000 meters (or microclimates) Hot after 1900,00 meters. Because of all this variations, it is possible to look at different species of flowers and animals like jaguars, monkeys etc. In addition to this, there are aproximately 500 bird species, and in the highest parts of the park you can find bears, tapirs and stags.

Climbing the Fiery Mountain: Do you want to experience an incredible adventure through the gorgeous Andean highlands? Then this is the correct trip for you. The fiery mountain is located in a very remote area. Climbing Sangay is in many ways difficult and dangerous. The ongoing outbreaks of red hot rock and ash can make the ascent of the mountain a dangerous undertaking. The volcano situation changes from hour to hour and from year to year. The way up is not technically difficult, but of course, the ongoing explosions represent a danger and a risk. During the last years we have been able to climb and make it to the summit, and we hope, that we continue with this successfull climb. But the nature is very fantastic, long valleys, Andean forest, great paramo. Also you have contact in this trek with the local Andean people, who live in this area and who work with us, too. The people who live here help to conserve the area of Sangay. Between E.A.I. and you, we help and give support to this indigenous community.

Sangay trek itinerary!

Day 1: Quito, Riobamba Guargualla. We leave from Quito at 8:00 AM driving through the Panamerican high way, South from Quito. We pass Riobamba City, lunch in the way, arrival at the Guargualla Chico villages, where we will start the Sangay trek. Arrival at this village around 4:00 PM. Camping, rest, dinner & sleep.
Day 2: Guargualla Chico – Escaleras. Breakfast at 8:00 AM. Afterwards we begin the trek inside the remote area of this beautiful nature. Our next Camp is Rincón Escaleras.
Day 3: Rincón Escaleras – Plazapamba. Breakfast at 8:00 AM. We continue our trek this day to arrive at the nice Valley Plazapamba. Our next camp in Plazapamba.
Day 4: Plazapamba – Playas. Breakfast at 8:00 AM. We move this day in our trek to Playas, where we have our next camp.
Day 5: Playas – Sangay Summit at 5230m. (The fiery Mountain) – Playas. We wake up this day early in the morning at 4:00 AM. After breakfast we start our trek and after one hour we will reach a rock lava. We reach the "window" (window) on 4180m. We continue the hike in the steep volcanic rock and make the way up to the top. 6 or 7 hours to reach the summit. Some photos, rest and then go back comfortably to our camp in Playas.
Day 6: Playas way out of Plazapamba. After breakfast we leave Sangay area.
Day 7: Plazapamba – Rincón Escaleras. Breakfast and continue way out along the same route. R.E. Camp.
Day 8: Rincón Escaleras – Guargualla Chico – Our car will be waiting here. After long days hiking we will drive to the civilization again, arriving in Riobamba Hotel in the afternoon or in Quito at night. Driving time will be 6 or 7 hours.

This program trek is possible to combine with other adventure trips like climbing in the higher peaks, because we have a good acclimatization on this way to Sangay. Or simply enjoy it as a tour to get an overall impression of the country.

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