Volcan Sangay

Sangay is claimed to be the most continuously active volcano in South America, so climbing it is dangerous at best. It is a vast and complex cone which changes shape and height and contains numerous craters.

Enjoy a huge variety of vegetation zones and wildlife, enjoying the striking journey, from the lowland forests to snowcapped peaks. You have a chance to see rare indigenous species, such as the mountain tapir and the condor.

You can make a magnificent trek to its base camp. There are two main routes, taking from 5 to 7 days to La Playa at the base. The going is tough - a lot of ascent and descent. You can climb further before it gets too dangerous. You don't need to rope up for the upper reaches of Sangay, since (although snowy) it does not have any glaciers (so no crevasses). Indeed, it is better to be unroped, to help avoid rolling stones. Do bring crampons and an ice axe.

This is tough walking in remote mountains with uncertain weather, where altitude can cause real problems. Come fully prepared, including proper acclimatization.

Have a look at TripAdvisor - there are tens of millions of reviews, so you may get good, current views on guides, places to hike and places to stay.

Ecuador Climbing and Hiking Guide - Viva has a worthwhile section on this area. Find relevant books by using our Amazon search function:

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For more information and photos, including detailed practical information and some warnings, see our Sangay NP walk page.