The Lagoons of El Altar trek is a tough 3 day trek that climbs to 5,000 meters between glacial lakes, lagoons, and waterfalls, in a little explored region the locals call “el Mundo Perdido” or the Lost World.

El Altar is Ecuadors most fascinating mountain, it was once the largest volcano on Earth which scientists say was almost the size of Mount Everest until it exploded under its own weight. Now all that remains are 9 jagged peaks that reach up into the sky like a claw.

Itenerary:

Day 1: We hike up a valley that was carved out by a glacier millions of years ago with a giant 200 meter waterfall and the peaks of El Altar in the distance.

Day 2: We leave the tents at the campsite and climb up to 4,500 meters and explore the many waterfalls and five multicoloured lagoons (the star lagoon, the mandur lagoon, blue lagoon, black lagoon, and green lagoon) underneath the 5,319m (17,451 ft) peak of El Altar.

Day 3: We go back down the valley on a plateu that has an amazing view of Mount Chimborazo and follow the river to the entrance of Sangay National Park where we return to Riobamba.

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