Climb one of the country’s most majestic peaks, Cotopaxi and the highest volcano in Ecuador Chimborazo, and reach the closest point to the sun on earth.
This program is for climbers who want to get well acclimatized before the big Cotopaxi and Chimborazo ascent. In 10 days we will climb to the top of 4 mountains and 3 mountain huts. We recommend good fitness health to ensure you enjoy the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo Climbing experience.
Quito 2800m
Pasochoa - El Chaupi 4230m
Mountain Refuge Ilinizas 4700m
Iliniza North 5126m
Cotopaxi Mountain Refuge 4800m
Cotopaxi Summit 5897m
Chimborazo Carrel Refuge Hut 4800m
Chimborazo Summit 6310m
Includes:
- Private transportation in guide´s car
- Local certified English/Spanish Mountain Guide IFMGA (International Federation of
Mountain Guide) or ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides) / ratio 2 climbers – 1 guide - Accommodation in hotels (double occupancy) José Ribas,Nuevos Hotizontes and Whymper Huts
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary (B: breakfast, BL: box lunch, D: dinner)
- National Park fees
- Transportation, accommodation, meals for guide
Excludes:
- International flights
- Single supplement
- Not mentioned meals and beverages
- Glacier, climbing and extra trekking gear (we can assist with the rental)
- Travel Insurance
- Extras and services not mentioned above
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Itinerary 10 Days
Early arrival in Quito and visit the Equator line and the Intiñan museum. Overnight in the hotel
Pasochoa volcano (4200 meters high) is an extinct caldera, located southeast of Quito, which today is a sanctuary of wildlife. The drive to the begining of the hike is beautiful as it goes through a nature preserve. In a clear day, we can admire the surrounding snow capped mountains such as Antisana, Cayambe, Illinizas, Cotopaxi and even Chimborazo far away.
It will take about 5-6 hours to go up and down. It is a perfect choice for a first climb to acclimatize and to prepare for larger mountains list.
Transfer to El Chaupi by late afternoon. Overnight in the lodge (B/BL/D)
Drive up until we get to “La Virgen parking lot” (12,795ft/3.900m). Once there, we will start a 3-hour hike up to the “Nuevos Horizontes Refuge” (15,580ft/4.700m). The hut is in saddle between Iliniza Sur and Iliniza Norte. We will relax for the rest of the afternoon.
Dinner will be served by late afternoon. (B/BL/D)
Our climb begins at 5 am to begin our ascent through this rocky. . We will have a light breakfast, pack our climbing equipment and leave the refuge an hour later.
The approach to the top involves an easy 3-hour scrambling. This peak offers stunning views of all the major summits of the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
Overnight in El Chaupi (B/BL/D)
Drive per about one hour up to the Cotopaxi parking área, from 2900m to 4500m; from here, we get our gear ready and hike up for an hour to the shelter. In the afternoon head up to the glacier for ice practice and training.
We will learn some basic techniques on how to handle the climbing equipment (rope, crampons, ice axe).
Dinner and early rest in preparation for the climb of Cotopaxi the following night/day. (B,BL, D)
We will wake up at midnight to get ready. At around 1am, after a light breakfast, we will start our adventure up to the top (19,347ft/5.897 m).
The climb will take us about 6 to 8 hours. Our goal of ascension is to reach the summit when the sun rises to enjoy the magnificent colors and views. Once at the summit we will take our time for pictures of the crater and surroundings and then we will head back to the refuge in 2 to 3 hours.
At the refuge we will rest, pack our belongings, have something to eat, drink and go down to the parking lot, from here, we head up to Riobamba. (B/-/-/)
Today we rest in the charming Hacienda in Riobamba. There are some options for you to do today: horseback riding, cicling, train ride or others. Dinner and overnight (B/-/-)
After breakfast drive to the Chimborazo Carrel Hut.
We will walk up from Hermanos Carrel refuge (15,744ft/4,800m) for about an hour to “Whimper’s Hut” (16,400ft/5.000m), where we will have dinner and get some rest until 11 pm. We will have an early light breakfast before we get our gear ready and start climbing up (B/BL/D)
At midnight we start our climbing to the furthest point from the center of the earth.
Chimborazo. It takes 8-10 hours. If we are blessed with good weather during the climbing, we will be rewarded with an incredible view of Ecuador’s other stunning peaks such as Cotopaxi, Altar, Sangay and beautiful surroundings. After some rest, we will start our descend back to the refuge. It will take us 3 to 4 hours.
Once we reach the Whimper Refuge, pack our gear and go down to the Hermanos Carrel Refuge.
Our transportation will be waiting here and will take us back to Quito (B/BL/-)
Transfer to the airport to take your flight back home (B/-/-/)
ChiMborazo climbing:
I’d like to highly recommend Ecuador Andean Trail. I had an incredible experience thanks to this Agency.
The service is way above standarts. They understand your needs and assist you to make your dream comes true.
If you want a safe trip and amazing experience of a lifetime to not hesitate to contact Martha