Ecuador Hiking: Rucu and Guagua Pichincha

Tour/Activity in Quito, Ecuador

About this activity

Hike through the páramo landscape and climb three four-thousand-meter peaks in one day.

Your Travel Experience with chilepro

Guagua und Rucu Pichincha

The Pichincha massif is only a few kilometers away from Quito. The crossing of the two peaks of the Pichincha volcano offers a lonely hike in the paramo area with two peaks over 4690m high. You can enjoy incredible views of the Andean highlands, as well as the snow-capped giants Cayambe, Antisana and Cotopaxi. With a bit of luck, the Chimborazo can even be discovered far away.

Shelter Guagua Pichincha

Starting early in the morning, it goes through Quito's southern district to the small village of Lloa, first over paved roads and later with all-wheel drive to the high plateau near the shelter of the Guagua Pichincha.

Virgen de la Cinto viewpoint

Crossing the refuge, the path reaches the Virgen de la Cinto viewpoint. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Andean highlands.

Guagua Pichincha

Ascending along the crater lip it goes to the pre-summit of the Guagua Pichincha and after a simple climb to the main summit. From the summit you can see the path to Rucu Pichincha and the rock structure Padre Encantado. Through a sand field it goes relatively steeply down to a small plateau and from there steadily rising towards the rock structure Padre Encantado.

Saddle Padre Encantado

Below the rock structure you will soon reach a short exposed point, after which a good path, slightly uphill, continues towards Rucu Pichincha.

Rucu Pichincha

After lunch on the mountain you will descend towards the Teleferico cable car. On wide paths it goes over humps of grass with a wonderful view of Quito back to the mountain station.

Valleystation cable car Teleferico

You will be picked up at the valley station and brought back to your hotel.

Day Trips & Excursions
Nature & Wildlife
Outdoor Activities & Sports