Vicuña Trek

Vicuña Trek is a 3-day trekking expedition through the high-altitude páramo of Ecuador's Chimborazo region, circling the base of the country's highest volcano. Following the historic hieleros (ice merchants') route and exploring rock formations, hidden waterfalls, and remote trails, the trek culminates in a non-technical summit of Josefina on Carihuairazo. Supported by guides, porters, and gear, and based at Chimborazo Basecamp, it's an immersive way to experience the wild Andean highlands and their signature wildlife, the vicuña.

Over three days you'll trek 4 to 7 hours daily, taking in La Chorrera waterfall, the Templo Machay cave, and the striking Chimborazo Cathedral rock formation, before an early-morning push to the Josefina summit. The terrain is demanding and high, so a good level of fitness and comfort with sustained highland walking is important, though the summit itself is non-technical and requires no climbing skills. The pace is steady, with time to soak in the volcanic scenery and spot wildlife along the way.

The price includes guides, transportation, accommodation at Chimborazo Basecamp / mountain refuge, all meals during the trip, porters, permits, gear, and sleeping bags. Guests need to bring their own backpack and trekking poles, and should budget for international airfare to Ecuador, arranged separately. Optional add-ons include pick-up from Quito and a Quito extension.

Location: Riobamba, Ecuador (trek in the Chimborazo region and around Carihuairazo).

Duration: 3 days.

Activity Type: Multi-day supported trekking through high-altitude páramo, with guides and porters, culminating in a non-technical summit of Josefina on Carihuairazo. Daily treks range from 4–5 to 6–7 hours across demanding highland terrain. A good level of physical fitness and comfort with trekking at altitude is required, though no technical climbing skills are needed.

Accommodation: Chimborazo Basecamp / mountain refuge for the nights of the trek, with sleeping bags provided.

• Trip Price: $395 per person
• Pick-up from Quito (add-on): $50 per person
• Quito Extension (add-on): $130 per person — airport pick-up, 3 nights accommodation in Quito prior to the trek, and round-trip transport from Quito

Deposit: $150 per person to reserve.

Day 1 — Cuatro Esquinas, Chimborazo

Start at 9:00 a.m. from the hieleros route at Cuatro Esquinas, trekking up into Chimborazo National Park over about 4–5 hours with a detour to La Chorrera. Settle in at Chimborazo Basecamp. Box lunch and dinner included. Overnight at Chimborazo Basecamp.

Day 2 — Chimborazo

After breakfast, trek to Templo Machay and behind the Chimborazo Cathedral rock formation, then detour toward the Chimborazo refuges, a roughly 6–7 hour route, before returning to basecamp. Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner included. Overnight at Chimborazo Basecamp.

Day 3 — Summit Day

Depart basecamp at 3:00 a.m. and begin the trek from the base of Carihuairazo, a 5-hour hike to the non-technical Josefina summit. Return to the mountain base and drive back to Chimborazo Basecamp, then on to Riobamba — end of services. Snack box for the climb and breakfast included.

• Guides
• Transportation
• Accommodation
• Mountain Refuge
• All meals
• Porters
• Permits
• Gear

• Back Pack
• Trekking poles