ECUADOR CLIMBING SPECIAL

Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer in

Arrive in Quito. Transfer to our hotel located in the tourist area towards the north of the capital.

Day 2: Pasochoa (4200 m / 13780 ft)

We leave early in the morning towards Pasochoa. This will be our first acclimatization climb and an introduction to the beauty of the Ecuadorian Andes. For a large part of the day, we will have an opportunity to observe the flora of the Andean plateau and the majestic flight of a family of condors (two adults and one child) that have a nest in the sheer cliffs inside the crater. In addition, on the inside of the crater it is possible to see the forest with native trees known as Polilepis, the same trees that grow on the vertical walls that reach to the border of the crater. Due to its location near the National park of Cotopaxi, the view of the highest active volcano in the world is outstanding. The walk takes approximately five hours in total. Return to Quito.

Day 3: Guagua Pichincha ((4800 m/ 15500 ft)

Our acclimatization continues on the Guagua Pichincha with Quito in the foothills of the mountain. We will begin to climb from an altitude of approximately 3500m/ft. On the final stretch, before reaching the summit, we will be rewarded with spectacular views of the inside of the active crater with its smoke and recently formed lava domes. The ascent will take three to four hours and then it will take two hours to descend to the vehicle. Return to our hotel in Quito.

Day 4: La Virgen (3900 m / 12792 ft)

This day we will arrive at the foothills of the twin Illinizas peaks. We will climb to our camping site at 3900m in a site known as La Virgen surrounded by the idyllic forest of Polilepis. We will take a short walk to explore in the afternoon before we return to the camp to prepare to the ascent of Iliniza Norte the following day.

Day 5: Summit North Iliniza (5116 m / 16785 ft)

Our climb begins after an early breakfast at three in the morning. We will arrive at the saddle between the two mountains (4650m) in three hours approximately in time to see the sum rise gradually illuminating an almost perfectly formed cone of Cotopaxi and the massive Antisana in the horizon. We will continue up the East Ridge to the North peak and will arrive to the summit in two hours (5126m). At the summit, we will be rewarded with a face-to-face view of Illiniza Sur and at the distance, Chimborazo. Return to our base camp to eat dinner and a well-earned rest.

Day 6: Tambopaxi (3750 m / 12303 ft)

After breaking-down our camp, we will take a scenic drive to the Cotopaxi National Park. We will lodge in the comfortable acclimatization center Tambopaxi (3720m) where we will have an opportunity to examine the north face of the snow-covered Cotopaxi and our route to the summit.  Overnight at Tambopaxi.

Day 7: Cotopaxi hut (4800 m / 15748 ft)

After inspecting our equipment and packing, we will drive to the parking area (4600m). After approximately an hour of walk, we will arrive at José Rivas refuge (4800m). Training on the nearest glacier, we will learn and practice snow climbing skills, self-arrest, rope handling and glacier travel. Return to the refuge to prepare for the ascent.

Day 8: Summit Cotopaxi (5897 m / 19347 ft)

We will begin the ascent at one-thirty in the morning. We will walk for an hour over scree and snow until we arrive at the bottom of the glacier (5080m). After five to six hours, we will reach the summit (5897m/19560 ft) where we will be able to admire the gigantic crater that is 800 meters in diameter, the sea of clouds covering the Amazon, the lane of volcanoes, Cayambe, Antisana and Chimborazo. We will descend to the refuge in two or three hours where we will pack and then travel to Machachi where we will spend the night.

Day 9: Baños  

This day will be dedicated to sightseeing, rest and recover. We will travel to the town of Baños, which is known for its thermal hot pools. We will explore the nearby rainforest with its rivers and numerous waterfalls. Overnight in Baños.

Day 10: Chimborazo hut (5000 m / 16404 ft)

We will travel to the Carrel Refuge (4800m) on Chimborazo. We will need to walk a short thirty minutes to arrive at the Whymper Refuge (5000m) where we will prepare for an ascent on the highest mountain in Ecuador.

Day 11: Summit Chimborazo (6310 m / 20702 ft)

We will depart at midnight and continue on the Castillo route. Once over the edge of the glacier, we have to overcome a section of short raises en the first third of the climb. After, we climb the final steps to the Veintimilla summit (6270m). We will traverse across to climb to the Whymper summit, the point furthest from the center of the earth. The ascent will take eight to ten hours and we will descend to the refuge in four hours. Return to Quito 

Day 12: Transfer out

Fly back home or extend on a trip to the Galapagos Islands or the Amazon rainforest.

The price includes:

- scheduled double accommodations in Quito, Baños and Machachi (breakfast included).

- all hut fees (Tambopaxi, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo).

- accommodation in double tents for Iliniza.

- all road transport by private vehicles.

- all the food while climbing.

- guides, assistant guides.

- park fees and permits.

- group climbing gear.

- basic climbing equipment (plastic boots, crampons, harness and ice axe).

The price does not include:

- international round trip airfare.

- airport taxes and excess baggage charges.

- travel insurance.

- lunch and evening meals in Quito, Baños, Tambopaxi and Machachi.

- non-scheduled accommodations.

- single accommodations.

- personal equipment.

- alcoholic beverages.

- laundry, phone calls, room service.

- tips.