2-week trip to Ecuador volcanoes: Cayambe, Chimborazo and Cotopaxi
A local certified mountain guide will take you to the summit of Cayambe, Chimborazo and the highest active volcano in the world, the Cotopaxi!
Not specified
Andes
16 Days
Jun, Jul
Fit
Intermediate
Description
Have you ever wondered how it is like to climb 5 volcanoes in two weeks, surrounded by an extraordinary collection of glaciers, valleys and picturesque houses? You can know how it is like if you sign up for this 16-day program.
We will start with an acclimatization, achieved thanks to the first 2 goals of the trip: the Guagua Pichincha peak at 4794m and the Rucu Pichincha, at 4627m. Afterwards, we will try their three ‘big brothers’: Cayambe (5790 m), Cotopaxi, which is the world’s highest active volcano at 5897m, and Chimborazo, at 6310m, which is the furthest point from the center of the Earth.
Climbing Cayambe first will give the participants the abilities and fitness to reach the other two peaks, because they will require a high level of fitness and experience.
On 16 days, we will also get to visit cultural spots such as the famous Otovalo Indian Market, to relax submerged in the Oyacachi hot springs, and to visit Baños, a quiet colonial city.
Sign up and get to live it! I am waiting for your request.
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Accommodation included
- Transportation start and back
- Transport during the trip
- Permit and entrance fees
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Transfer to the hotel from the airport of Quito.
Day 2: Otavalo
We will visit the Indian market of Otavalo, hike one hill above the town of Otavalo and San Pablo lake, the biggest in Ecuador. After an hour and a half, we will stop to enjoy a typical Otavaleño and Ecuadorian meal. We’ll take an afternoon drive back to Quito, stopping at the Equatorial Monument or Equatorial line.
Day 3: Acclimatization on the Guagua Pichincha or Rucu Pichincha
We will make our acclimatization ascent on the Guagua Pichincha or Rucu Pichincha volcano at 4,800m.
Day 4: Quito city tour
We will make a scenic tour across Quito, and also will visit the national ethnological museum and other interesting places.
Day 5: Quito – Cayambe
We’ll depart from Quito at 9:00 A.M., and arrive at the Cayambe volcano refuge by 3:00 P.M. (4,700m).
Day 6: Cayambe Glaciers School Day
We will go on the glacier at 8:30 A.M to continue our acclimatization. We will engage in the moderate glacier section to familiarize ourselves with the climbing techniques and equipment. I will train you on glacier skills, all necessary techniques for climbing the high peaks like Cayambe, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo and other mountains. We’ll learn rope-handling, glacier travel, snow climbing, basic crevasse rescue skills and safety techniques. After 6 hours training, we go back to the refuge for a delicious lunch and early dinner. We will get prepared for a midnight departure to Cayambe.
Day 7: Cayambe summit
We’ll get up at midnight for breakfast and final equipment check up. We will leave the refuge at 1:00 A.M. and climb with headlamps for the first 4 hours. We’ll reach the final Cayambe summit at about 9:00 A.M. We will return to the hut around 2:00 P.M.
Day 8: Oyacachi Hot Springs
We will spend our day swimming in the hot pools of Oyacachi. After a relaxing afternoon, we will drive to La Cienega hotel near the Cotopaxi volcano.
Day 9: Cotopaxi
We will drive into the Cotopaxi National Park. From here we will have a 45 minute hike with full packs up to the Jose Rivas hut. We will enjoy a hot tea and a short rest before heading out to the glacier for an afternoon review of technical training and equipment preparation.
Day 10: Cotopaxi summit
We will climb for 7 hours to the summit of the Cotopaxi volcano. We will overnight at Hosteria La Cienega.
Day 11: Chimborazo First Refuge
We will arrive at the lower refuge of Chimborazo “Carrel” at 4,800m around 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon and continue with our acclimatization.
Day 12: Chimborazo Second Refuge
We will walk 40 minutes with full packs up to the Whimper hut on the Chimborazo flank, located at 5,000m. There, we will rest and prepare ourselves for the early morning departure.
Day 13: Chimborazo Summit
We will climb for 8 or 9 hours to the summit of the volcano. We will first traverse moderately angled ice slopes, climb through a series of icefalls and up to the steep ice ramps, climbing simultaneously on moderate grounds belaying up the steep pitches. Our team will rope together in order to cross crevasses and finally make it to the summit.
Day 14: Baños
We will spend the day at the colorful town of Baños.
Day 15: Baños – Quito
We will drive back to Quito and have a farewell dinner at our hotel.
Day 16: International flight departure
Details
Accommodation Hotel and huts |
Meeting point Airport of Quito |
About the guide
Tomás and his team of IFMGA/UIMLA-certified mountain guides, leaders and rock climbing instructors (Alvaro, Juliana, Merlin, Rodrigo, Armin, Alfredo, and Camila) are some of the top outdoor adventure professionals in Latin America.
Whether you wish to climb some of the most stunning mountains in the Andes or discover the vibrant peaks of Central America, among other amazing options, you will find yourself in good hands with this lively team of professional local guides that will not only show you the top spots in Latin America for outdoor adventures but also, bring you closer to the colorful local cultures of the places that you visit with them.
Tomás will be your main point of contact during the booking process and will help you with all the questions you have in order to make sure you receive the best possible guiding service.
Pick one of the E-S Latam Adventure Guides' programs and start planning an unforgettable experience in the beautiful mountains of Latin America!
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