Pinan Lakes / Yana-urcu de Pinan

These lovely lakes sit on high paramo in the western Cordillera, below the superb Yana-urcu de Pinan volcano (4,535m).

This is a remote and beautiful area, which is worth taking time to explore and enjoy. You can circuit Yana-urcu de Pinan in a day, or climb it in 5-6 hrs. It is claimed to command some of the best views in Ecuador.

You can trek out and back in 3 days, or extend it to a longer 4 day circuit or by circuiting Yana-urcu de Pinan.

This is demanding walking in remote mountains with uncertain weather, where altitude can cause 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, and places to stay.

Ecuador Climbing and Hiking Guide - Viva,hasaworthwhile section on this walk. 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 Otavalo Area walk page.