Early in the morning, we will drive through valleys and farming villages to reach the Chimborazo Volcano, . On a clear day, the majestic peak of Chimborazo dominates the view for many kilometers. Visiting this spectacular national park includes a short hike for 0.9 km (0.57 mi) to reach the elevation of 5000 m (16404 ft) where the glacier begins. On the hike, we will try to spot a few of the animals that inhabit this volcanic climate such as the Andean condor, cara-cara, hummingbirds, and the timid wild Vicuñas. Once extinct in Ecuador, they were reintroduced into the wild and are now protected; this beautiful animal is related to the alpacas and llamas. A delicious picnic will be organized at the base camp before we leave the moon-like landscape of Chimborazo and drive on to the tropical town of Banos. In the evening we can soak in the famous hot springs of Banos and experience the thriving night life of this town.
Trekking time: 1.5 hours uphill from 15,748 ft (4800 m) to 16,732 ft (5100 m) and then 45 minutes downhill same way back. Total steps: 14,974