The Incas made an impressive system of roads, which connected Quito, in the northern part of their empire, with Talca (south of Santiago, Chile). In the southern part of Ecuador's Central Valley it is possible to follow one of these old Inca trails, leading to the Incan ruins of Ingapirca.
Day 1 We leave at 9:00 a.m. from Riobamba by car and drive south until we reach the small village of Achupallas at 3300 m. / 10.827 f. altitude. Here we put our equipment on donkeys and then start hiking on the páramo grasslands. After about 4 hours of hiking we make our camp for the first night at about 3850 m. / 12.632 f. altitude.
Day 2 Today's hike starts with a climb from 3850 m. / 12.632 f. up to 4400 m. / 14.436 f. After 2 - 3 hours we reach the highest point of this trek, called Cuchilla de Tres Cruces. From here we have a beautiful view of Sansahuín, one of the many lakes in this area. Now we go down again and continue hiking for about 3 more hours, until we arrive at the Paredones ruins, where we camp.
Day 3 We continue descending to the south. After 3 hours we pass the small village of Cajón Tambo. From here we can see the Inca ruins of Ingapirca. It takes another couple of hours of walking to arrive at Ingapirca at 3300 m. / 10.827 f. Here you will visit the ruins and the museum, to learn about the culture of the Inca's and the Cañari's. In the afternoon we return by car to Riobamba. Arrival at Riobamba at about 5:00 p.m.
DIFFICULTY: moderate; a basic acclimatization is recommended
DEPARTURE: any day with minimum 2 persons
WE PROVIDE:
- naturalist guide
- transportation from / to Riobamba
- accommodation in double tents
- meals (3 x box lunch, 2 x dinner, 2 x breakfast, 1 x meal in restaurant) and purified drinking water
- donkeys for the equipment
- camping equipment
- excursion and entrance fee Ingapirca
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