9-day Climbing to Chimborazo and Cotopaxi
Chimborazo and Cotopaxi are the highest peaks in Ecuador. Climb them on this 9-day expedition led by Rafael, an ASEGUIM certified mountain guide.
Private and Group
Andes
9 Days
All year
Fit
Intermediate
Highlights
- Climb the highest peaks in Ecuador.
- Enjoy a 9-day adventure in the famous "Volcano Avenue" of the Andes.
- Discover the unique and colorful Ecuadorian Andean culture.
Description
Chimborazo and Cotopaxi are the first and second highest summits in the Ecuadorian Andes. Chimborazo (6,263 m) is the highest mountain in the country as well as the furthest point from the center of the Earth. As for the Cotopaxi (5,897 m) it is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
This 9-day trip starts in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. During the expedition, we will also summit North Iliniza (5,116 m), a mountain that works perfectly as an acclimatization peak before trying Cotopaxi. In addition, I’ll guide you to the Pasochoa and Pichincha volcanoes. You will get to see a great variety of wildlife and plants as well as beautiful landscapes and snow-covered peaks.
Although the climbs are not technically difficult, it will be a physically demanding adventure. For this reason, it is mandatory to have a very good fitness condition.
So are you ready for a fantastic climbing adventure across the highest peaks in Ecuador? Send your request to book this trip. It will be an amazing experience!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Accommodation included
- Transport during the trip
- Permit and entrance fees
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Price details
Not included: Meals in Quito, El Chaupi, Machachi and Baños, personal equipment, tips, additional beverages, travel insurance.
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito - Pasochoa
In the morning, we’ll go from Quito to the Pasochoa protected area. After a 4-hour hike, we will be enjoying beautiful views of all nearby snow picks. Throughout its paths, we can watch colorful butterflies and other small wild animals. We’ll return to Quito in the afternoon.
Day 2: Guagua Pichincha
We’ll drive for a while and then start a 4-hour climb to Guagua Pichincha (4,784 meters). We’ll contemplate Quito from the summit. Afterwards we will go to El Chaupi where we will spend the night.
Day 3: El Chaupi
After breakfast, we will have and easy 3-4 hour hike. Afterward we will return to the refuge, have dinner, and rest for the night.
Day 4: Iliniza Summit
After a very early breakfast, we will hike to the summit of Illiniza North, following the normal route. The hike should take approximately 6-7 hours. Afterwards, we will transfer to Machachi for the night.
Day 5: Cotopaxi refuge
After breakfast, we’ll go to the Cotopaxi National Park and we'll continue driving to the parking area at 4.600mts. A short hike will take us to Jose Ribas Refuge at 4.800mts. Briefing about basic climbing techniques outside the refuge. Dinner and rest at the refuge.
Day 6: Cotopaxi Summit
We get up around midnight, have breakfast, and depart to the summit following the normal route. Reaching the summit may take us 6 to 7 hours. Descend to the refuge and then to the parking area. Then we’ll return to the hut and move to Baños.
Day 7: Baños
Today is a well-earned rest day. After breakfast, we will head to the waterfalls and to the Pailon Del Diablo. Overnight in Baños.
Day 8: Baños - Chimborazo Refuge
Departure after breakfast, heading to Riobamba and continue to Carrel Refuge 4800mts. Dinner and rest at the refuge.
Day 9: Chimborazo Summit
Before midnight, we get up have breakfast and start climbing to the summit. Following the standard route, it may take us from 8 to 9 hours to reach the summit, with good weather we will enjoy a great view of the surrounding peaks. Return to the refuge 2 to 3 hours then, transfer to Quito. End of our services.
Details
Accommodation 1 night in a hotel in Quito
1 night in Laso
1 night in El Chaupi mountain lodge
1 night in Machachi
2 nights in Baños
1 night in Cotopaxi refuge
1 night Chimborazo refuge |
Meeting point Quito |
Equipment you will need to bring
Other gear: Personal clothes, warm clothes, Rain jacket, sunglasses, sun cream, gloves, hiking boots, sleeping bag, headlamp.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How will we acclimatize for this program?
4. Is it necessary to have previous experience?
2. What equipment do we need to bring?
3. What is the level of difficulty?
About the guide
Rafael was born in Quito and grew up in the Andean Region. Since childhood he Ioved hiking and climbing the mountains.
In the 80 ' He participated in expeditions in Peru, Bolivia South America. In the Alps and Pyrenees and also in the Pamir Pick Communism of 7500mts.
In the 90 ' He was the founder of the School of Guides ASEGUIM, President for 7 years of the Guides Association and promoted and formed the mountain rescue group GRA.
He graduated as Mountain Guide and Guides Instructor at the ENSA in Chamonix–France.
Since 2000 he have been advising, training and participating in 16 expeditions around the world: Alaska, Aconcagua, Alps, Pyrenees, Cordillera Blanca. He has also trained and counseled Ecuadorian climbers who managed to make the 14 eight thousands without auxiliary oxygen, the 7 highest peaks of the world and Big Walls. Since 2001 he started his Adventure Tour Company which operates successfully up to the present under the name of CLIM BIKE HIKE.
Since 2010 he has been training and participating in the project EVEREST without auxiliary oxygen in one day. He has climbed the EVEREST 2 times, and he has reached the summits of: Manaslu, Shisha Pangma, Aconcagua 7 times, Denali 5 times and the summits of the Alpes Materhorn, Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, Agille. Vert, Zugs Pitze among others.
During his 27 years of experience as a professional mountain guide Rafael has guided more than five hundred times to Cotopaxi volcano and more than one hundred times to Chimborazo, sharing with clients the culture and wonderful mountains of Ecuador.
What people are saying about this trip
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