Condor Trek

Condor Trek is a 4-day trekking expedition through the high páramos of Ecuador's Andes, crossing the wild highlands between Cotopaxi and Antisana. Starting from Quito, the route traverses remote national park terrain — from the Sincholagua pass and Rio Pita to Antisana Basecamp and Laguna Tumiguina — before descending to El Tambo and finishing with a soak in the Papallacta thermal springs. Supported by guides, porters, and carrying mules, it's an immersive backcountry adventure far from the usual tourist trails.

Over four days you'll trek through highland páramo valleys at around 4,000 m, passing old haciendas and Chagra lands, camping under the stars, and taking in the dramatic scenery of Cotopaxi and Antisana. Days range from 4–5 hours to a longer 6–7 hour push, so a good level of fitness and comfort with multi-day trekking at altitude is important. The trip wraps up with a relaxing thermal bath at Papallacta before the return to Quito.

The price includes guides, carrying mules, porters, permits, meals, camping gear, some trekking equipment, and transportation to and from Riobamba or Quito. Guests need to bring their own trekking backpack and warm clothes, and should budget for tips and international airfare to Ecuador, arranged separately. Optional add-ons include a solo-client arrangement and a Quito extension.

Location: Cotopaxi, Ecuador (trek through Cotopaxi and Antisana national park areas, finishing near Papallacta).

Duration: 4 days.

Activity Type: Multi-day supported camping trek through high-altitude páramo, with guides, porters, and carrying mules. Daily treks range from 4–5 hours up to 6–7 hours across highland terrain around 4,000 m. A good level of physical fitness and comfort with multi-day trekking at altitude is required.

Accommodation: Camping throughout — near a small lagoon at the Sincholagua pass (Day 1), Antisana Basecamp (Day 2), and near Laguna Tumiguina (Day 3), using provided camping gear.

• Trip Price: $765 per person
• Single client (add-on): $390 per person — for a solo trip
• Quito Extension (add-on): $74 per person — airport pick-up and 2 nights accommodation in Quito

Deposit: $300 per person to reserve.

Day 1 — Cotopaxi to Sincholagua

Drive from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park and, after registration, meet the porters and team at Rio Pita. Trek to the Sincholagua pass and a small lagoon, a roughly 5-hour hike through Cotopaxi's highland páramos. Camp overnight by the lagoon.

Day 2 — Antisana

After breakfast, trek through a high 4,000 m altiplano valley toward Antisana Basecamp, passing old haciendas and Chagra lands. This is the longest day at approximately 6–7 hours. Camp overnight at Antisana Basecamp.

Day 3 — Antisana

From Antisana Basecamp, walk through the national park to Laguna Tumiguina, a 6-hour trek. Set up camp for the last night in the national park.

Day 4 — El Tambo

On the final day, trek down the highlands to El Tambo (3,300 m), the shortest day at 4–5 hours, and say goodbye to the porters and guides. The driver then takes you to Papallacta for a relaxing soak in the thermal springs before departing to Quito.

• Guides
• Carrying Mules
• Porters
• Permits
• Meals
• Camping gear

        some trekking equipment

• Transportation

        From and to Riobamba or Quito

• Tips
• Trekking back pack
• Warm clothes