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Climbing Cayambe, Chimborazo and Cotopaxi, 16 days
One of the ASEGUIM Mountain Guides from Ecuadorian Alpine Institute will take you to the summit of the highest active volcano in the world, the Cotopaxi! You can also climb the Cayambe and the Chimborazo.
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.
I am telling you: you will love this program. Sign up and get to live it! I am waiting for your request.
If you love biking too, I have a spectacular two-week program in this area.
Accommodation Hotel and huts |
More info Please, bring with you: Gore-Tex type jacket, Fleece thermals or warm fleece, a pair of light liner gloves, Balaclava or polypropylene cap, wool or synthetic socks, headlamp, glacier glasses/dark sunglasses, sleeping bag (20-30 degrees Fahrenheit), backpack, trekking boots, plastic climbing boots, crampons, gaiters, 3 pairs of outer socks, 3 pairs of liners, 2 pairs of long underwear, down jacket, Gore-Tex parka, warm pants, Gore-Tex pants or bib, warm gloves/mitts, Gore-Tex over-mitts, cap/hat, helmet, ice axe w/leash, harness, 2 locking carabineers, some oval bineers, prussic slings/ascenders, ski poles, plastic garbage bags, thermal pad, spoon, bowl, compass, personal toilet/first-aid kit including drugs/sunscreen/chapstick, camera, and a one-liter poly bottle. |
Meeting point Airport of Quito |
Photos
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
About the guide
ASEGUIM Mountain Guides from Ecuador
We are a group of ASEGUIM certified guides (Association of Mountain Guides in Ecuador) with 20 years of experience in climbing adventures, trekking, rock climbing, cycling, rafting and kayaking in outstanding destinations of Ecuador, Argentina, Peru and Bolivia.
Our tours combine physical challenges with cultural experiences in the most scenic and wild places of South America. We aim to take you off the beaten tracks, exploring the best locations in a comfortable and safe experience.
We believe acclimatization is an essential factor when approaching high mountains like the Ecuadorian volcanoes. Because of that, we carefully design our programs to provide a good acclimatization through a series of gradual climbs and some training sessions between attempting big objectives.
For booking assistance
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Prices per person
Group of 1 | USD 4732 each |
Group of 2 | USD 2366 each |
Group of 3 | USD 2366 each |
Group of 4 | USD 2264 each |
Group of 5 | USD 2264 each |
Group of 6 | USD 2204 each |
Group of 7 | USD 2204 each |
Group of 8 | USD 2060 each |
Want a different number of travellers?
Price includes
• Guiding fee
• Accommodation
• Transportation from your hotel/airport (if in area) to the start of the trip and back
• Transport during the trip
• Permit and entrance fees
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Price details
• The price does not include food and beverages on non-climbing days, insurance, International flights to Quito, personal climbing gear or tips. The price includes accommodation for 10 nights in a double bed occupancy room and the mountain hut's fees.
What people are saying about this trip
Paul Walprecht
5.00
November 2019
Chase Merriam
5.00
April 2018
This was a fantastic mountaineering trip to Ecuador. The altitude was a bit of a challenge, but Ramiro did a great job with the acclimatization schedule leading up to the taller mountains. Overall, this was a challenging experience given the altitude of the climbs as well as the back-to-back climbing of four mountains. I would highly recommend this excursion for anyone who wants to experience a fantastic country/culture as well as someone who wants to gain some nice experience mountaineering!
Had an amazing time with my guide Ramiro. He selected the perfect mix of mountains in order to properly acclimatize so I could achieve the summit of Cayambe. With his vast experience of more than three decades he was able to teach me a lot of skills and know-how along the way so I’d always feel safe on the mountains. I can only recommend a trip with Ramiro. You’re definitely in good hands and going to make wonderful experiences.