The Sangay National Park, a World Heritage Site, boasts an incredible diversity of ecosystems: from snowcapped volcanoes, paramo highlands and wetlands with over 327 lakes, to cloud forest and tropical rainforest. This park is named after the cone shaped Sangay (5230 m / 17.159 ft), one of the world’s most active volcanoes. On a clear day you may witness one of its frequent eruptions!
In this 2-day hike we will hike and bike in the Sangay National Park, descending from the Andes to the Amazon. We start with a long day hike from Ozogoche Lakes to Atillo Lakes, and the next day we bike down to the subtropical part of the park. A great adventure off the beaten path!
Riobamba
The Sangay Hike & Bike adventure requires an excellent physical fitness and some previous acclimatization. On the hiking day we will reach the elevation of 4300 m. / 14.107 ft, total hiking time 6 – 7 hours. The bike ride takes about 4 hours, mainly downhill with a few challenging uphills.
We will spend the night in basic choza or traditional hut in Atillo, a great way to learn about everyday life in this rural community.
Do you prefer just a day tour in the Sangay National Park? Then you can book either the hike or the bike part.
At 7.00 a.m. you will be picked up from your accommodation. We drive for about 2 hours to the community of Ozogoche, one of the entrances to the Sangay National Park. At 3789 m / 12.431 ft. altitude we start the hike on the shores of the Laguna Cubillin. The largest of the Ozogoche Lakes, its deep blue waters mirror the surrounding jagged peaks. Next to Cubillin is Laguna Magtayan, where you can see flocks of Andean gulls and other water birds like ducks and curlews. The higher parts of this remote area are home to white-tailored deer and the spectacled bear.
We will hike uphill for about 3 hours until the pass at 4330 m / 14.206 ft and then start descending to the Atillo Lakes. The trail takes us through moorlands with paramo plants like tussock grass, club mosses, valerians and gentians in bright colors. You will have spectacular views of several other lakes, and in clear weather you can see Sangay volcano.
Arrive at Atillo lakes (3540 m / 11.614 ft). After dinner with fresh trout, we spend the night in a choza (traditional hut) run by a local family.
After breakfast we get ready for the 50-km bike ride on a quiet road traversing the Sangay National Park. Starting from the Atillo Lakes we cycle from the paramo through cloud forest to the tropical rainforest (all paved road). On the way you will pass picturesque waterfalls and lush vegetation with orchids, ferns and mosses. After about 23 kilometers we cross a 700 m long tunnel, and on the other side you can feel the warm breeze of the Amazon jungle!
We continue descending with a few uphills, to the village of 9 de Octubre at 1650 m / 54144 ft. If you still have enough energy, continue biking for another 4 km uphill to the observation tower at 1875 m / 6152 ft. This spot offers splendid views of the Sangay, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and the Upano and Abanico rivers flowing down to the Amazon jungle.
Return by car to Riobamba, arrival at about 16.00 p.m.
