El Altar volcano

                                                (5319msnm)
Altar Volcano is an extinct volcano located in Los Andes mountains Ecuador’s center, around 20Km east from Riobamba city.  It is in “Sangay” National Park. A mega eruption in the past destroyed the conic shape resulting in a series of peaks with a lagoon in the center. These peaks are similar to the ALTAR of Christian Colonial Churches where they took the name.

Its basalt composition generated some colored lagoons around the peaks. The most beautiful and bigger is the one formed in the crater. This lagoon provides a low water flow that generates a river downstream. The best time to go is from November to March that is the dry season in the region.

It is necessary rainy boots, waterproof clothes and four-season camping,. Enough food and water for the days you choose. Many groups rent a horse in order to take all the cargo to the valley. Also temperature can drop dramatically so be prepare. There is not wood to make fire and weather can change suddenly.


HIKING TO THE VOLCANO:
You can hike to the bottom of the peaks to the lagoon-crater and the lagoons that are around there. Before the peaks there is a valley called “Collanes” which is the point that you need to reach to climb to the lagoon. In order to reach this valley you need to walk through a private ranch (“Releche” ranch) around 7 hours by mud. Once you reach the valley, there is a small refuge with basic sleep, a kitchen and water. (Reservation in advance is needed). Otherwise, you can camp next to the refuge or continue around 2 hours more to reach the lagoon-crater at the bottom of the peaks where you also can camp next to the lagoon. You need to start very eary in the morning so it is preferable to sleep in the Releche ranch. Picture this, a crater-lagoon and the snow peaks at the back. This is an impressive and amazing view you wont forget.

You can also reach the bottom of the peaks by other directions arriving to the back of the peaks. There you can find other lagoons formed like “Amarilla”, “Quindecocha”, “Estrellada”, “Verde”, “Azul”, “Mandur”, “Pintada”. All these lagoons have amazing colors produced by the minerals of the peaks.

CLIMBING TO THE PEAKS
To climb to the peak tops you need a high level. Probably this is the hardest peak in Ecuador.  There are several ways to reach the peaks and a professional guide is a must. You would need at least 3-5 days. A guide from Quito or Riobamba is around $300.

                                        

                                                        BY BUS:
First you need to reach Riobamba. Then take a bus to Penipe ($1, 1 hour). From Penipe take a cab to reach Candelaria community (12Km, $15, 20min from Penipe) and then continue for 2 more Kilometres until you reach Releche Ranch (033014067, 0984651922 / 0984649634, info@haciendareleche.com; $12 per person/per night). Here you can sleep and start the hiking early next morning. Also, they rent horses to take the cargo or to take you ($20 per day). Additionally, you can get a guide ($20 per day). They have a refuge before the bottom of the peaks where you can book to sleep and a kitchen ($12 to sleep per night and $10 to use the kitchen per group). To reach the refuge you need to walk 7 hours by mud or 5 by horseback. It is not necessary a guide just follow the mud. Once you reach the valley you need to climb two hours more to reach the lagoon-crater. This last pathway is only possible by walking.

All this experience is recommended to do in three days. First day reach the Releche ranch. Sleep there and start the hiking early in the morning. In the second day, reach the Collantes valley and if your physical condition is good go ahead to the crater-lagoon. You can camp there and return next day.
                                                        
                                                    

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