SECTION 1: EL MUNDO KAYAMBI TREK (5 Days, Difficult)

This, the first section of Inti Chakiñan (The Sun Trail) transects the territory of the millennial Kayambi nation.

From 4200 meters on the north face of Volcán Cayambe, the trail descends through the high grassland páramos of the Yacuchimba Valley (home of Ecuador´s first Indigenous levantamientos that lead to the land reforms of the 1960s).

This section offers frequent condor sightings and natural volcanic hot springs as well as amazing views of the towering Cayambe Volcano and its glacier (5790 meters).

From Yacuchimba, or La Chimba, the trail heads north, crossing the páramos of 4000 meter Cerro Cusín (with spectacular view of Cayambe, Lago San Pablo, and sometimes as far as the Chimborazo Volcano to the South) and descends to the town of Pijál, overlooking Lago San Pablo at the foot of the Imbabura Volcano.

The final leg of Section 1 traverses the south side of the Imbabura Volcano before climbing to its peak at 4609 meters.

Day 1:
Hikers are picked up at the bus terminal in Otavalo at 11AM (or from a pre-determined site in Quito). Beautiful 1.5 hr. drive to the Kayambi town of La Chimba at the foot of Volcán Cayambe. Lunch. Walking tour of town with discussion of Ecuador's Land Reforms and the Indigenous political movement. Early to bed. Homestays with families.

Day 2:
6AM truck ride up the side of the Volcano to 4200 meters. Spend the day descending back down to La Chimba, stopping at volcanic hot springs for lunch. Condor sightings frequent. Views of Cayambe, Imbabura, and Cotacachi volcanoes. Dinner, folkloric dance and music presentation. Hike 6-8 hours. Moderate.

Day 3:
7AM climb up the side of Cerro Cusín: beautiful páramo lands descend north to the town of Pijál and a waiting delicious lunch. Relax the afternoon away at eco-cabins at the end of beautiful hidden valley with waterfalls and high altitude cloud forest. Solar showers. Dinner. Flokloric music and dance. Hike 6-8 hours. Difficult.

Day 4:
Breakfast. 8AM bus ride takes us above the neighboring town of San Pablo to the beginning of today's hike. We climb east for three hours passing through Indigenous villages to the pass between the Imbabura Volcano (4609 meters) and Loma Cubilche (3802 meters). Lunch. The extra-motivated have the option of climbing to the top of Cubilche. From the pass we descend through agricultural land at the foot of Imbabura to the town of La Esperanza where a hot shower and delicious dinner await us at Casa Aida. Hike 6-8 hours. Moderate.

Day 5:
Breakfast and truck ride to the end of the road on the east face of Imbabura. We spend the day scaling this massive, eroded volcano, walking a good part of the ascent along its huge, blown-out crater. The view from the top on a clear day affords vistas of 10 volcanoes, virgin cloud forest and the Otavalo Valley. Descend to La Esperanza. Bus transport to Otavalo. Hike 8-10 hours. Difficult.

Note:
If a group starts this five day itinerary on Monday, it will be in Otavalo Friday evening to stay the night and attend the Saturday market.


Includes: all food, lodging, guiding, instruction, park fees, in-country transport, guides and activities.

Does not include: extras, personal equipment or alcoholic beverages