A visit to Sumaco National Park, a volcano in the Amazon Basin Day 1
The program begins when we pick you up from your hotel at 8.30 in Quito for a 5-hour drive east over the Andes in the direction of Tena, the capital of the Amazonian province of Napo. Weather permitting, Antisana Volcano first and then Sumaco will be visible from the road en route to Tena. We will arrive in Tena in the afternoon. After settling in, we will gather to talk about the hike, answer questions, and finalize all details. Overnight at Hotel Yutsos in Tena.
(BL)
Day 2
After breakfast, we will take our private transport and leave Tena on a 2-hour drive to Pacto Sumaco, a small community where the hike begins. We will have lunch in the community and begin a 4-hour hike into Sumaco National Park. The hike starts at 1,500 meters and ends at 1,900 meters, at camp 1. Today we will cover a distance of roughly 14 kilometers through primary tropical rainforest. Dinner and overnight.
(B, BL, D)
Day 3
Today´s hike requires a bigger effort, since we climb almost 900 meters (almost 3,000 feet) through tropical terrain from camp 1 to camp 2. Camp 2 sits at 2,800 meters, on the edge of one of Sumaco´s extinct craters, where a lagoon has formed. The view from this spot is magnificent, the Amazon basin is visible to the east, the cone of Sumaco to the west still 2 days away. We will arrive here for lunch, and enjoy the afternoon hiking around the lagoon and birdwatching in the surrounding area. Dinner and overnight.
(B,L,D)
Day 4
Depending on the weather conditions, we will stay in camp 2 until around mid-morning, or leave for camp 3 right after breakfast. The hike to camp 3 is not long, we will cover a distance of roughly 8 kilometers in 2-3 hours, going uphill most of the time before coming to an abrupt drop into the Pavayacu valley where camp 3 is located. Camp 3 sits at the base of Sumaco´s cone at 2,950 meters. Dinner and overnight.
(B,L,D)
Day 5
The last push awaits from camp 3 to Sumaco´s summit, a stady climb past premontane forest seing how the trees and tall vegetation disappear to give way to typical montane vegetation, short and grassy. The climb from camp 3 to the summit can take 3 hours covering a difference in altitude of 900 meters. From the summit, weather permitting, the entire eastern flank of the Andean ridge is visible: Cayambe, Antisana, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, as well as the Reventador Volcano to the north and its column of smoke . At the summit, we will hike around the main crater before beginning the descend past camp 3 and all the way back to camp 2, where we will arrive in the afternoon.
(B,L,D)
Day 6
Slowly, we will make our way back to camp 1, enjoying the forest and hoping for wildlife sightings. The hike from camp 2 to camp 1 is excellent for viewing wildlife, so we recommend covering this distance at a slow pace. Many unique bird species, spectacled bear, tapir, and puma tracks, as well as a number of different species of monkeys are always present. Overnight at camp 1.
(B,L,D)
Day 7
We will leave camp 1 and hike for 4 hours back to Pacto Sumaco, where our transport will be waiting for us to take us to Papallacta Spa & Resort. The drive from Pacto Sumaco to Papallacta will take approximately 3.5 hours, however, the thermal hotsprings and the overall comfort at Papallacta are more than a well deserved prize after spending 5 nights inside Sumaco National Park. Your body will appreciate this treat. Dinner and overnight at Papallacta Spa & Resort.
(B,L,D)
Day 8
After enjoying the thermal pools, and the available aromatherapy treatments at the Spa, we will leave Papallacta after lunch and drive for 1.5 hours back to Quito. The program ends when after arriving in Quito.
(B)
Included:
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Private transportation from and to Quito, meals as specified, bilingual naturalist guide, local guide, porters and assistants, camping equipment. |
| Not Included: |
Hat, sun protection, mosquito repellent, rain gear and rubber boots, dinner oon Day-1 and lunch on Day-8, personal expenses, tips and gratuities. |
| Dates: |
8-day adventure, departure dates are Tuesday through Friday, open all year-round. |
| Best months: |
During the dry season, September to early February |
| Altitude: |
From 1,500 to 3,820 m.a.s.l. |
| Climate: |
Temperature can vary from the low 60´s to the high 80´s. |
| Price per person: |
US 3,000 1 person
US 2,060 2 people
US 1,688 3 people
US 1,350 4 people
US 1,225 5 people
US 1,100 6 people
US 1,038 7 people
US 963 8 people
US 875 9 people
US 819 10 people |
| Details: |
You must pack everything inside water-proof equipment, e.g. dry bags, zip-lock bags, etc. There are porters accompanying every group, however, there is a weight restriction per person of no more than 30 pounds. Any excess weight will require additional porters at your own expense. People are advised to bring a main back pack to be carried by the porters and an additional smaller personal pack to be carried personally. Also recommended, bring power bars. |
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