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5 days Inca Trail Achupallas to Ingapirca, Ecuador
Level: Moderate to Challenging ATIT-05
Trek and camp Ecuador’s very own Inca Trail, crossing remote communities and farmlands, wild natural landscapes home to the Andean Condor, before arriving at the country’s most extensive Inca ruins, Ingapirca.
DAY 1: QUITO CITY TOUR - RIOBAMBA On our first morning, there’s time to enjoy a city tour of Quito’s colonial center, the largest in the Americas. After lunch, we head south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, passing Cotopaxi (5.897m), the Illinizas (5.263m) and the tallest peak in Ecuador, Chimborazo (6.310m). We arrive to the colonial city of Riobamba, where we will spend the night at hacienda hotel "La Andaluza." (L, D). DAY 2: THE INCA TRAIL. RIOBAMBA – ACHUPALLAS – TRES CRUCES (DELUXE - CAMPING) We leave our hacienda bound for the traditional village of Achupallas, at 3,100 m. We hike for six-seven hours. The path follows Rio Cadrul through hilly country on the way to Laguna de las Tres Cruces, passing Cerro Callana Pucara to the west, and the pyramidal Cerro Mapaihuana (4,365 m) to the east. To reach the lagoon, we make our way through a natural rock arch and cross the river before climbing to 4,000 m. We will be surrounded by marvelous Andean landscapes and high-altitude moorland vegetation throughout the day, hopefully in the company of a soaring Andean Condor. Mules will be employed throughout, to help carry the equipment and backpacks. We’ll make camp near the Tres Cruces Lake and spend the night there. (B, L, D) DAY 3: TRES CRUCES – PAREDONES (DELUXE CAMPING) We awake to a panorama which has changed little in five centuries. After breakfast, we continue southward with fantastic views of Laguna Sanshavin and Cerro Quilloloma, from which we begin the trek to the ruins of Ingapirca. We follow the road to Laguna Culebrillas (sacred to the indigenous Cañari people) along the vestiges of the famous Inca trail, built around 500 years ago. We will first head towards Tambo Paredones, a large stone construction built by the Inca Tupac-Yupanqui, and after six to eight hours trekking, reach Abrasca-Rumi (the indestructible), where we pitch camp and have our dinner under the stars near the quarry from which the Incas mined Diorite, the igneous stone used in the construction of Ingapirca. (B, L, D). DAY 4: PAREDONES - INGAPIRCA (POSADA DE INGAPIRCA) This morning is devoted to a five hour hike to Ingapirca along a portion of the Inca road which is seven meters wide in places. After lunch, we have the opportunity to explore the ruins, visit the on-site museum and ask the local guides about the Inca culture. We overnight at the comfortable Posada de Ingapirca. (B, L, D). DAY 5: RETURN TO QUITO After breakfast, we make our way back to Quito either by land transportation or by air to Cuenca/Quito. End of our services. INCLUDES: Private transportation, bilingual guides, all meals while on trip, accommodations, train ticket. NOT INCLUDED: beverages, personal equipment, airfare Cuenca/Quito when applicable. IMPORTANT FACTS: TRAVEL TIME: 4 and 8 hours first and last days TREKKING TIME: 5 to 8 hours per day SEASON: All year ALTITUDE: 2600 m to 3500 m SUGGESTED: warm clothes, sun block, cap, gloves, flashlight, boots, rain and overnight gear.
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