El Altar Yellow Lagoon 2-Day Trek｜Ecuador

Day 1: Andean Highlands to Yellow Lagoon Camp

Begin your adventure with an early departure into the eastern Andes, entering Sangay National Park, one of Ecuador’s most pristine and least-visited protected areas. From the trailhead, ascend gradually through open páramo landscapes, passing herds of grazing livestock, high-altitude wetlands, and dramatic viewpoints dominated by the jagged spires of El Altar, also known as Kapak Urku in Kichwa.

As the trail continues, the scenery becomes increasingly alpine. The approach offers constant views of El Altar’s collapsed caldera, with its cathedral-like peaks encircling hidden glacial lakes. After approximately half a day of trekking, arrive at Yellow Lagoon, a striking sulfur-tinted glacial lagoon set beneath towering rock walls and hanging glaciers.

Set up camp near the lagoon, where the silence of the high Andes is broken only by wind, distant icefall, and birdlife. In the afternoon, rest, explore the surroundings, and photograph the changing colors of the lagoon as light shifts across the mountains. Enjoy dinner at camp, followed by a night under the stars in one of Ecuador’s most dramatic mountain settings.

Day 2: Sunrise at the Lagoon and Return Trek

Early morning offers the most spectacular atmosphere of the trek. As sunrise illuminates El Altar’s peaks, the Yellow Lagoon reflects tones of gold, grey, and turquoise, creating one of the most iconic high-mountain scenes in Ecuador. After breakfast at camp, begin the descent, retracing the trail through páramo and highland valleys.

The return hike provides new perspectives of the landscape and time to appreciate the remoteness and raw beauty of Sangay National Park. By early to mid-afternoon, reach the trailhead, where transport awaits for the return journey, marking the end of a compact yet deeply immersive trekking experience.