Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. Chimborazo, the closest point to the sky. These are the two highest summits in Ecuador that you will climb and reach during your trip. Some days of acclimatization give you the best chances of success.
Highlights
• Climbing Ecuadorean high mountains.
• Reaching several summits in a short time.
• Good acclimatization. |
Itinerary
D 1 Quito /City Tour - Cuicocha lake
Quito lies in a long narrow plateau of Pichincha Volcano. A city rich in colonial art and architecture. A UNESCO world cultural heritage site is a delightful place to explore. You visit today the main plaza, the cathedral, La Compañia church, San Francisco Plaza and Panecillo hill (a viewpoint). You will enjoy a tour of the rich colonial heart before heading out to Cuicocha, 2 1/2 hours drive from Quito.
D 2 Cuicocha - Fuya Fuya - La Esperanza
This morning you will hike by a flooded volcanic crater of Cuicocha. The trail offers you a variety of Orchids, flora and birds, you might also meet some lizards on the walk. You have magnificent sights of the Imbabura Volcano, Otavalo and surroundings. The highest point you reach during the trek is 3486ms (11437ft). In the afternoon You trek up for 2 hours (approximately) to one of the peaks known as Fuya Fuya 4263m (13986ft), the summit offers you a striking view of Cayambe volcano, Mojanda lakes and other hills. You will be transferred after to La Esperanza for the night.
D 3 Imbabura volcano - Otavalo
After breakfast and 20 minutes drive from Otavalo you will find yourself at the foot of Imbabura volcano. A love story will be unwrap for you, by the guide, about Imbabura and Cotacachi. Mama Cotacachi rule the west of Otavalo and Taita Imbabura takes care of the Province. Local people believe that Imbabura visits Cotacachi every night and from this love a baby-volcano was born, Yana Urcu. The trek today is uphill up to the summit of Imbabura at 4630ms (15190ft) and, for about 6 hours. Transfer to Otavalo known as the sunrise valley.
D 4 Otavalo - Quito
The Otavalo Indians are known worldwilde for being so industrious. Every home in the area is a workshop. They preserve many old traditions and lifefstyle so, you have the morning to explore and wonder around town. You have the well known plaza del Poncho and many stores to have a look. In the afternoon you are transferred to Quito..
D 5 Guagua Pichincha volcano - Lasso
An early start to leave for Guagua Pichincha 4784m (15,695ft) volcano. 1 1/2 hours drive before you start the climbing from an altitude of 3750m (12,303ft). This is one of the active volcanoes of the country with a crater of 1,5km of diameter, 700m (2296ft) of depth and releasing a permanent smoke. The walk is moderate with a very steep trail. The summit offers you a spectacular view of other volcanoes and some snow-capqed ones. After a long day you are driven to Lasso.
D 6 Chaupi - North Iliniza - Chaupi
Rising early to climb North Iliniza 5116m (16,784ft), The first part of your ascension will take you to a coil between the two ilinizas and where the refuge 4750m (15,584ft) is located. The second part is going up to the summit of north Iliniza at 5116ms (16784ft), this rocky mountain does not represent any particular technical difficulty but it is one of the stages in your accllimatization. In the afternoon back to Lasso.
D 7 Cotopaxi refuge
Today you drive to Cotopaxi national Park where you can enjoy vegetation of different altitudinal ranges from 3200m (10499ft) to 4800m (15748ft), bird wildlife, wild horses, lava flows and the cotopaxi itself. After driving through the park you reach the car park at 4600m (15092ft) from where you start a hike up to the refuge. In the afternoon you will have a practice in the glacier and the distribution of the rope team for the next day.
D 8 Cotopaxi summit - Chugchilan
Very early rise to start your 5 ro 7 hours climb. The summit offers you an spectacular view of the crater, considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanoes in the planet. Back to the refuge and then, down to the car park to join the transport to be driven to Chugchilan (aqproximately 4 hours drive).
D 9 Quilotoa - Urbina
After breakfast you head off this time to Quilotoa lake 3900m (12795ft). 2 hours drive through stunning hills, paramo grasslands, farmed fields, indian communities, furrowed large canyons to get to this volcano. Already there, you have the option either to walk down to the bottom of the crater and by the water or, trek around on the rim. Any way, you have a fantastic escenery here. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Urbina.
D 10 Chimborazo refuge
This morning you are going to be transferred to Chimborazo refuge at 4800ms (15748ft). An hour walk and 200 ms (656ft) separate this refuge to the other, Edward Whymper at 5000ms (16404ft), The last one is reckon to be a relatively comfortable refuge. If the weather allows and you feel like, you can go in direction to the "agujas the Whymper" (Whymper´s needles) from where you can look at the route you will be doing next early morning or, just relax at the refuge and around it.
D 11 Chimborazo summit - Baños
Very early rise, midnight, to begin the climbing to Chimborazo summit (6310ms - 20702ft). It is not an easy mountanin due to a glacier that is two thirds of the whole climb but, the reward is great. Chimborazo is the closest point to the sky and the highest mountain on the planet in relation to the centre of the earth. After this wonderful experience you go back to the refuge and then, join the transport to go to Baños.
D 12 Baños - Quito
Baños (1800ms - 5905ft) is a pleasant spa town that attracts not only foreigners but ecuadoreans, who are drawn by its balmy climate and curative waters. There is no better way to start your day than rising early for an invigorating soak (optional). The baths are fed by thermal springs at the base of Tungurahua active volcano, and the brown water (a result of mineral content) is reputedly good for one´s health. In the afternoon you are ready to go back to Quito.
PRICES
| |
2 |
3 |
4-5 |
6-7 |
8-10 |
11-15 |
| Price per person (in US$) |
1 850 |
1 650 |
1 595 |
1 485 |
1 408 |
1320 |
Price includes
— Safe glacier materials for the climbing
— Private transport
— 4 stars hotels (economic hotels if you requiered). Price based in double rooms with private bathrooms.
— meals
— Entrance fees to Cotopaxi, Ilinizas, Quilotoa, Cuicocha and Chimborazo,
— English speaking guide the whole trip
— four nights in a hotel, four nights in a hostal with shared bathrooms, two nights in hostals with private bathroom and two nights in a mountain refuge
Price does not include:
— International flight to Quito
— Airport exit tax $40,70 per person
— Any travel insurance
— Tips for guides and drivers
— Anything not mentioned in the tour
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