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13-day mountaineering trip from Quito to Chimborazo
Come with Jaime, an UIAGM-ASEGUIM-certified mountain guide, on this 13-day mountaineering trip in beautiful Ecuador!
Description
Join me on this 13-day mountaineering trip climbing Ecuador’s highest mountains: Cotopaxi (5.897 m / 19.347 ft) and Chimborazo (6.236 m / 20.549 ft)!
Located 50 km south of Quito, Cotopaxi is an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains. At 5,897 meters above sea level, it is the second highest summit in Ecuador. Chimborazo, meanwhile, is an inactive stratovolcano located in central Ecuador. At 6,236 meters, it is the highest peak in the country!
Our meeting point will be in Quito, the country’s capital. After our transfer to the hotel, we will have an evening meeting to prepare ourselves for the adventure. During the next few days to come, we will climb different peaks every day in order to achieve a perfect acclimatization.
Our first challenge will be the Pasochoa Summit at 4200 meters (13.780 ft.) and our next acclimatization peak will be the Guagua Pichincha at 4.794 m (15.728 ft). As you can see, each day we will be facing a more demanding challenge.
My proposal is to prepare you by climbing the different amazing peaks and glaciers one can find in this exotic country. It will be my honor to safely guide you, step by step, to the summit of the highest peak in Ecuador. After 11 highly challenging days, we will reach the Chimborazo summit!
You will find a more detailed itinerary below.
Keep in mind that is this expedition is definitely not for beginners! As this 13-day adventure will be highly challenging all participants must have an excellent fitness level.
So if you are ready for this 5 summit mountaineering tour in Ecuador, request to book this trip!
If you are looking for another mountaineering program in Ecuador, you can also join me on this 5 summit mountaineering tour in Ecuador.
Details
Accommodation Hotel |
More info Upon request: - climbing equipment |
Meeting point Quito |
Photos
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Arrival in Quito. Transfer to the hotel. Meet and greet your guide in the evening
Day 2: Pasochoa Summit (4.200 m / 13.780 ft)
We leave Quito after breakfast and climb PASOCHOA (4.200 m / 13.780 ft). The hike to the summit takes about 4 hours.
Day 3: Guaga Pichincha (4.794 m / 15.728 ft)
GUAGUA PICHINCHA (4.794 m / 15.728 ft) is the next acclimatization peak on our itinerary, going a bit higher this time. We reach the summit after approximately 4 hours.
Day 4: Corazón (4.791 m / 15.718 ft)
CORAZÓN (4.791 m / 15.718 ft) – one last hike staying below the 5k mark. We hike up to Corazón summit in about 3 to 4 hours and enjoy marvellous views.
Day 5: Refugee Nuevos Horizontes:
We drive to the Natural Reserve Los Ilinizas. From the parking area we hike up to the Refugio Nuevos Horizontes (3 – 4 hours), where we will spend the night.
Day 6: Iliniza Norte Summit (5.126 m / 16.818 ft)
Early wake up and breakfast. Ascent to ILINIZA NORTE (5.126 m / 16.818 ft). 3 to 4-hour-tour to the summit. Descent to El Chaupi.
Day 7: Saquisili or Pujili markets:
We visit the indigenous markets of Saquisili or Pujili (depending on the day). In the afternoon we drive to Cotopaxi National Park and spend the night in the mountain hut of Tambopaxi.
Day 8: Tambopaxi
In the morning we hike up to the glacier for some technical training. Rest in the afternoon. Early dinner and rest in Tambopaxi.
Day 9: Cotopaxi Summit (5.897 m / 19.347 ft)
Early wake up and breakfast. Ascent to COTOPAXI (5.897 m / 19.347 ft), which takes about 7 to 8 hours. Descent and drive to Baños de Agua Santa.
Day 10: Baños de Agua Santa
We visit the waterfall Pailón del Diablo and the casa del arbol – half day program. The other half day is for exploring Baños and resting a bit.
Day 11: Refugee Carrel (4.800 m / 15.750 ft)
We drive to the Reserva de Producción de Fauna Chimborazo and stay at Refugio Carrel at 4.800 m / 15.750 ft, there we spend the night.
Day 12: Chimborazo (6.236 m / 20.549 ft)
Early wake up and breakfast. Ascent to CHIMBORAZO (6.236 m / 20.549 ft) which takes approximately 8 to 9 hours. Descent to Riobamba, where we spend the night.
Day 13: Last day!!!
Relaxing morning, visit of the markets of Riobamba. Return to Quito and “good bye”.
About the guide
Certified IFMGA - ASEGUIM Mountain Guide, National guide, Rescue Team Member GRA & Lawyer.
As passionate mountaineer and with almost 20 years of guiding experience, I worked with clients from all over the world. Each tour is a unique experience and I will pleased to guide you to the marvellous summits of Ecuador and South America. My journeys have allowed me to guide and summit several mountains in Peru, like Alpamayo, Chopicalqui & Tocllaraju amongst others and to experience some mountain climbing in the Alps of Austria and Italy.
I’m based in Baños de Agua Santa, Ecuador’s famous piece of heaven, where we run together with my Austrian girlfriend a small tour operator and a consulting office.
Continuous improvement and keeping up with the State of the Art is our mission:in 2017, I completed the IFMGA certification and, recently, in 2018, I received the National guide certification from the ministry of Tourism.
President of Baños Trail Running Club, I run every week with my team. My achievement of 2018 : Finishing 1st of my category for the 100km Ruco Ultra Trail.
I’m looking forward to exploring our beautiful mountains together with you.
What people are saying about Jaime Vargas
Paul Ludgate
5.00
December 2020
Maxwell Gregory
5.00
December 2020
Jaime was an awesome guide! Everything was taken care of, he was very aware about going at the best pace for me, and did everything possible to ensure a successful and safe summit.
Sarah Hill
5.00
November 2020
We summited Cotopaxi with Jamie Vargas as our guide. It was an unbelievable and perfect experience. Jamie was very knowledgeable, skilled, and personable. He shared just enough information with us for each part of the trip for us to be prepared but not too overwhelmed. It was very easy to communicate with our guide and the company before the trip. The food was really nice and the whole experience staying at the refuge and meeting other climbers and guides. We were very confident in Jamie’s skills and ability to keep us safe. His saying “never give up!” was very motivating for our successful summit. The gear was all very nice and up to date, we were given every tool we needed. I felt every emotion during this day from excitement, to fear, to fatigue, to gratitude, I cried very much at the summit because it was so beautiful and it was such a big accomplishment for myself and my husband. Overall this experience was our favorite for our time in Ecuador and even one of my favorites of my whole life! Highly recommend Jamie with Andean summit adventure. Worth every dollar as an investment for an experience of a lifetime!
Philippe Coopmans
3.00
December 2019
I found it pretty expensive to have a private guide. The climb was only 8 hours in total and costs me €570,-. Well, that’s the only complain i have. The service all over was great. Jaime was not my guide so i can rate him, it was Juan of course. He was an ok guide, sometimes a bit hurry up. And next time it would be good to get some more explanations about the dangers of the glacier. I’ve spoken to some real mountaineers and found out there were far more dangers then i realized when climbing the cotopaxi. Maybe something for you guys to consider next time. Best regards, philippe coopmans
Nora Hertig
5.00
November 2019
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Devin
5.00
May 2019
Amazing experience. Wonderful guide Diego. Can’t wait to get back and summit another volcano.
jw and sharlene
5.00
May 2019
we had a great time with the guide, knows his buissnis , he took wonderfull shots from us at tungurahua during the climb. im sure he would have made great pics aswell during the cotopaxi climb, very experienced guide indeed, and a friendly man with nice girlfriend elisabeth who went with us to tungurahua refugio, and he can cook
Piotr
5.00
January 2019
Jaime was absolutely amazing. He always made sure that safety is the priority, even when I was tired and had problems with altitude. I\'d climb any mountain with him!
Tyler Long
5.00
January 2019
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Marcel Welte
5.00
November 2018
I climbed Tungurahua together with Jaime in November as a preparation for successful attempts to climb both Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. The trip was perfectly organized by Elisabeth and Jaime did a great job as a guide. I would absolutely recommend Andean Summit Adventure and I hope that I can do some further tours in Ecuador in the future with them!
Tim Edinger
5.00
June 2018
I had an excellent experience with Andean Summit Adventure during my recent climb of Volcano Cotopaxi. Elisabeth did a tremendous job coordinating all of the logistics details for my trip while I was still in the United States. Jaime Vargas, my guide, provided a first-rate, safe, and excellent experience during the climb itself. I was completely happy with the support that Andean Summit Adventure provided me and I highly recommend them as a tour/guide service for outings in South America.
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Fantastic people ! They were all friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable . I recommend them without reservation