Trekking Piñan Yanahurco 4 Days/3 Nights
Piñan is a small Andean community in the north of Ecuador and lies on 3200m above see level. It is situated inside an ecological reserve called Cotacachi Cayapas. The next settlement or road can be reached on foot during a two-day march. Piñan is also a community that really works like a community in the original sense of the word. All benefits created through tourism are used directly for the community.

Yanahurco means "Black Mountain" and it is an interesting, steep, old volcano located in the Western Cordillera in the north of Ecuador. This soft adventure will take us through a beautiful landscape of lakes, streams and high páramos. With luck we will have a glimpse of the impressive flight of the Condor bird, the "King of the Andes".

DAY 1:
Early transport from Quito driving north towards Iruginchu, a typical Andean village at 2,800 m. From here we start our first trekking day (approx. 3 hours) towards the base of Churoloma hill. Here we set up our first camp at 3,600 m. along our trek we will observe small farming areas and beautiful polylepis forests. (BL, D).

DAY 2:
  Today we follow an ancient path (probably dating to Inca times), which runs steeply towards the base of Cerro Huga and then descends south until we reach the shores of the Yanacocha Lake. From the highest pass at 4200 meters we can already enjoy a view of Yanahurco and Cotacachi volcanoes. We set the 2nd camp at 4,100 m. (B, BL, D).

DAY 3:
  This day we will climb up to the summit (4,292 m) of Yanahurco volcano (approx 5 hours). This climb crosses a steep moraine, some volcanic sand and ash fields. From here (weather permitting, of course) we can get a magnificent view of the Ecuadorian Andes. Afterwards we descend back to our next camp site at Burrococha lakes at 4000m). (B,BL,D)

DAY 4:
  Today's trek takes us down towards the Hacienda Hospital (5-6 hours) where we can enjoy a swim in the nearby hot springs. From here our vehicle will transport us back to Otavalo or to Quito. (B, BL).