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PP6   TOUGH AS NAILS



This 16-day full power travel adventure is our most demanding and hence the program's name. The first part takes place in the Amazon rainforest region of southern Ecuador, whitewater rafting Upano, one of the most mysterious river existing in the country called by the natives the River of the Sacred Waterfalls. Moving then up the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes we continue by trekking to Sangay, South America's most active volcano in the last 50 years.  If the present volcanic activities allow it, we also climb to the top of this fire spewing monster. For many that is already the highlight of any adventure but at the end we also ascend to Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest peak and therefore aptly named the Roof the of Nation. Finally at the end we put in a fun day with an Enduro motorcycling trip to Otavalo.



Day 1   We leave Quito and drive on the South Pan-American Highway to Baños, a small town located at the foot of Tungurahua volcano. There we have lunch and drive to some viewing spots of the volcano. Later we continue descending the Andes through the narrow Pastaza valley which is known for its many waterfalls. On one spot we stop at a place to cross the river gorge in an open cable car.  In Puyo we stop for the night , already having reached the Amazon basin.

Day 2     In the morning we continue our drive and arrive at noon in Macas, where we have lunch and explore a little bit this jungle town. Afterwards we drive to our first nightly camp site, which is also the put in site for the rafts next morning. For the rest of the afternoon we have an orientation briefing from the trip leader and meet the rafting guides of this exciting excursion down the Upano river, also called River of the Sacred Waterfalls as dozens of waterfalls cascade down the gorge.

Day 3     After breakfast we have first a comprehensive safety briefing and instruction in paddling techniques so we are prepared for the 4-day rafting adventure. After that we pack up the rafts with our camping equipment and fresh food supplies and finally launch them on the river. We start floating down a broad canyon with some villages located nearby on a higher plain. As time goes by the settlements become less and less and later in the afternoon we put up our river tent side on a sandy beach.

Day 4     We continue our trip downriver through narrow gorges and enter jungle regions which are sparsely populated by the native Shuar Indians. Sometimes we still see the Shuars crossing the river with papanks, their own original balsa rafts. Those natives produce some fruits, whose small plantations can be seen along the shores but still live mostly from hunting and fishing and their fish traps made of vines can be observed  in the waters. Again later we put up our next tent side on a sandy beach.

Day 5     Floating downriver we enter into gorges with fast rapids and virgin rainforest and no contacts with locals anymore.  On this day we also stop and explore the caves of Logroño, which is a deep cave complex with an underground stream flowing through it. After that exciting adventure we put the raft in again and  later put up our tents on a wide beach again.

Day 6     On our last day on the river we are still in fast flowing waters but towards the end the river gets broader and deeper and the flow calmer. We finally reach our last camp site along the river and enjoy for the last time the tranquility and serenity of the surrounding rainforest.

Day 7    After breakfast in our final camp we raft a short distance to the take out point and after loading all the equipment in the van, start our drive to Cuenca, where we arrive late afternoon. Cuenca is considered by many the most beautiful colonial town of the country and we get to know its old traditional squares, churches and buildings during a relaxing evening stroll through its cobbled streets.

Day 8   We drive from Cuenca to Riobamba with a short stop at Ingapirca, the mayor Inca site in Ecuador. In Riobamba we have lunch and a short city tour and we continue on a secondary road to Guargualla, a small agricultural community located at 3200m and our start of the 4-day high altitude trek. This stretch of the drive takes another 2 hours time and we spend our first night there in a hut.

Day 9     On the first day we begin hiking early in the morning because we need 8 to 9 hours to reach our first night site, a straw thatched shelter, which is located on a high plateau called Plaza Pampa. To get there, we have to hike the first 5 hours up the Guargalla valley to reach the pass, called Escaleras at 3900m. Reaching the pass gives us our first views of Sangay, assuming of course rare good weather and which stays then in sight for most of the remaining 4 hours of hike. The hike of our first day is mostly on good mountain trails with some crossing of smaller rivers.

Day 10     The next morning we continue our trek towards the foot of the volcano, to our base camp, called Campamento Playas. The trails change from dry to muddy and the area from the higher paramo grounds to more forested areas.  Right in the beginning we also have to crisscross the river, named Rio Negro, several times and therefore rubber boots are a must for this second day of our trek. We reach our camp site in around 5 hours and spend the afternoon resting for the intended midnight climb.

Day 11     If the volcanic activity of Sangay are low, we start out at midnight and reach the summit in approximately 7 hours. The climb is not technically difficult but the volcano is steep sided and frozen at night. If there is snow cover we also have to use crampons and ice axes. Another risk are flying stones ejected with a great force from the crater and loose rocks, falling down the flanks. Therefore head protection is a must for the climb and we need of course a headlamp. The descent back to base camp takes another 3 hours and we should be there again for lunch. After that we pack up and hike back to Plaza Pampa.

Day 12    In the morning we start our long walk back towards Guargualla, which we should reach late in the afternoon. We pack then up and drive by van to Riobamba, where we spend the next night.

Day 13      After an morning tour of the colonial center of Riobamba and getting supplies for the climb, we drive after lunch up to the lower refuge of Chimborazo mountain, Ecuador's highest peak and also highest in the world if measured from the center of the earth.. Arriving there we hike 30 min. up to the second refuge at 5000m, where we spend the next tow nights.  

Day 14      We spend the day in the refuge and explore the area surrounding it. This extra day gives us better acclimatization and increases the likelihood of a successful climb. If you wish we also may go up to the snow and try out our ice gear and give you instructions in ice climbing techniques.

Day 15        We begin our ice climb at midnight and reach the summit in 7 to 8 hours. Depending on weather conditions we spend some time on the summit marveling at the great views, the nation's rooftop offers.  Afterwards we begin the 4-hour descent back to the refuge, where we pack up and hike down to the van. We arrive in Quito late afternoon. 

Day 16      To end this adventure trip on a fun note, we undertake a one day trip on Enduro Motorcycles. This full daytrip is our most popular and covers around 240 km through mountainous regions with a 75% off-road percentage. We take many small secondary roads passing Cayambe on our way to Otavalo, where we stop for lunch and a quick glimpse at its famous Indian market. Returning to Quito we use a different route by way of Mojanda and the whole trip lasts about 8 hours.


 

Power Packs






PP1  Easy Does It




PP2  Cascading West




PP3  Jungle All The Way




PP4  Go West Boy




PP5  Volcano Up




PP6  Tough As Nails





Power Packs

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