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 T3 CHIMBORAZO This high altitude trek is suited to anyone, who is somehow in shape and likes an easy hike through the Andes. This trek starts at 3200m and leads first through a farming area and then up an valley called Abraspungo which was carved by glaciers in the past and separates the sister mountains of Chimborazo and Carihuairazo in the present. The highest point reached is around 4000m and then we drop back to the lower 3000m. The whole trek is on dry trails leading through a wonderful paramo region with its own distinct high alpine vegetation and animals. This trek offers on clear days great views to the mighty Chimborazo, other snow-covered volcanoes in the vicinity and to lower lying valleys. T 3 : 4 days / 3 nights Day 1 We leave Quito in the morning and drive south on the Pan-American till we arrive after a 4-hour ride at Urbina, a small rural village close to the highway and the old railway track, halfway between Ambato and Riobamba. There in the vicinity on a farm we put up our first tent camp. The afternoon we spend exploring the farming area with its many animals like horses and llamas. Day 2 After breakfast we begin our adventure, leaving the farming community of Urbina and hike up the valley of Abraspungo, the pass between Chimborazo and Carihuairazo. This stretch takes 5 hours on a good trail, crossing some small creeks until we finally reach a place called Siete Vueltas, at an altitude of 3800m, where we put up our second campsite. Later in the afternoon we hike around the surrounding hills to explore the area and get to know the interesting plants and observe birds, like eagles or the famed caracaras. We also get a better and closer look of Carihuairazo with its rugged top. Day 3 In the morning we continue on and reach after an hour walk the pass at more than 4000m and head down in a south-westerly direction towards Quebrada Colorada, an old stone quarry, located at 3200m, where we arrive after another 3 hours. The closer we get to our third camp site, the more the landscape turns from the lush green of the first days to a much drier region. After lunch we hike to the foothills of Chimborazo for a better and closer look at this colossal mountain. Day 4 After loading our camping gear into the jeep we head up to the refuge of Chimborazo. The road leads through a region with sparse vegetation but populated by the beautiful Vicuņas, the most graceful of the Llamas animals. Arriving at the parking lot of the first refuge, we hike then up to the second refuge, which is located at 5000m. From there we have the massive glacier of Chimborazo right in front of us. After lunch there we return by jeep to Quito where we arrive after a 4-hour drive.
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