Altar Trek

from $415.00$365.00

El Altar is an extinct volcano in Sangay National Park surrounded by multicoloured lagoons, giant waterfalls and glacial lakes.

It was once one of the tallest mountains on the planet until a giant eruption destroyed its summit over 500 years ago and created its famous cathedral altar shape of 9 peaks around a crater lake.

There are two treks you can do to El Altar – an overnight trek to the “yellow lagoon” crater lake in the middle of the extinct volcano, or the other spectacular 3 day hike that climbs the green valleys carved by glaciers into the mountainous terrain full of waterfalls and multi-coloured glacial lagoons inside Sangay National Park.

The highest point in the trek reaches the 4,800-meter snowline below El Altars glacial peaks where we will see silver, orange, and blue lagoons as well as spectacular views of Chimborazo and Sangay in clear weather.

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Please send us an email: adventuresecuador@gmail.com 

    Birdwatching and Adventure tours
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    • Vacation Style Holiday Type
      • Beach
      • Water
      Trekking
    • Activity Level Tough
    • Group Size Small Group
      6
    All about the Altar Trek.

    The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
    What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
    • Transport from Riobamba to Sangay National Park and back
    • Camping Equipment including  sleeping bags, sleeping mats
    • Carrying mules
    • National Park permits
    • Guides
    • All food including meals for breakfast lunch and dinner and snacks (Please tell us if you are a vegetarian)
    Whats not included in this tour.Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
    • Travel insurance and other emergencies
    • Tips
    1. Day 1 Riobamba - Candelaria

      We walk up the valley that was created by a glacier millions of years ago with a giant 200 meter waterfall and the peaks of El Altar in the distance.

    2. Day 2 Altar Collanes

      We leave the tents at the campsite and climb up to 4,500 meters and explore the many waterfalls and five multicoloured lagoons (the star lagoon, the mandur lagoon, blue lagoon, black lagoon, and green lagoon) underneath the 5,319m (17,451 ft) peak of El Altar.

    3. Day 3 Riobamba

      We go back down the valley on a plateau that has an amazing view of Mount Chimborazo and follow the river to the entrance of Sangay National Park where we return to Riobamba

    4. Day 4 Riobamba - Candelaria

      We walk up the valley that was created by a glacier millions of years ago with a giant 200 meter waterfall and the peaks of El Altar in the distance.

    5. Day 5 Altar Collanes

      We leave the tents at the campsite and climb up to 4,500 meters and explore the many waterfalls and five multicoloured lagoons (the star lagoon, the mandur lagoon, blue lagoon, black lagoon, and green lagoon) underneath the 5,319m (17,451 ft) peak of El Altar.

    6. Day 6 Riobamba

      We go back down the valley on a plateau that has an amazing view of Mount Chimborazo and follow the river to the entrance of Sangay National Park where we return to Riobamba

    7. Day 7 Riobamba - Candelaria

      We walk up the valley that was created by a glacier millions of years ago with a giant 200 meter waterfall and the peaks of El Altar in the distance.

    8. Day 8 Altar Collanes

      We leave the tents at the campsite and climb up to 4,500 meters and explore the many waterfalls and five multicoloured lagoons (the star lagoon, the mandur lagoon, blue lagoon, black lagoon, and green lagoon) underneath the 5,319m (17,451 ft) peak of El Altar.

    9. Day 9 Riobamba

      We go back down the valley on a plateau that has an amazing view of Mount Chimborazo and follow the river to the entrance of Sangay National Park where we return to Riobamba

    10. Day 10 Riobamba - Candelaria

      We walk up the valley that was created by a glacier millions of years ago with a giant 200 meter waterfall and the peaks of El Altar in the distance.

    11. Day 11 Altar Collanes

      We leave the tents at the campsite and climb up to 4,500 meters and explore the many waterfalls and five multicoloured lagoons (the star lagoon, the mandur lagoon, blue lagoon, black lagoon, and green lagoon) underneath the 5,319m (17,451 ft) peak of El Altar.

    12. Day 12 Riobamba

      We go back down the valley on a plateau that has an amazing view of Mount Chimborazo and follow the river to the entrance of Sangay National Park where we return to Riobamba

    Collanes Refuge

    We work with Hacienda Releche for a dry refuge in the Altar Paramo

    Releche RefugeEnter your subtitle here

    Altar Altar