Explore-Share logo and link to home

Colombia and Ecuador climbing adventure (21 days)

Colombia
Colombia
Colombia
Colombia

Join IFMGA certified guide Edgar on this 21-day trip in Colombia and Ecuador Andean mountains. Come make your mountaineering dream come true.

Not specified

Andes

21 Days

Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec

Fit

Intermediate


Description

It is a really amazing an unique climbing trip: 21 days of climbing in the best spots of Colombia and Ecuador. Yes, you have ready it correctly! A trip full of trails, landscapes and peaks… The dream of any mountaineer can be true!

During these 21 days, you will live amazing experiences in the highest point of the Andes of Colombia and Ecuador. You will also learn a lot about different cultures and Andean people. Besides, the viewpoints you will admire during this trip are really unforgettable.

I know you cannot wait to read the full itinerary of this climbing trip in Colombia and Ecuador. That’s why here you have it:

DAY 1: BOGOTA

We will meet in the Colombian capital of Bogota and we’ll go to a hotel in the heart of the city.

DAY 2: BOGOTA – COCUY

A transfer will take us to Cocuy during the following 10 or 12 hours. We will spend the night in a hotel in Cocuy

DAY 3: ACCLIMATIZATION DAY IN COCUY

We’ll use this day to acclimatize our bodies. That’s why we will walk around Cocuy overcoming 3.000 meters of altitude. It will be also a cultural hike, because you can learn a lot about the lifestyles of local people and their animals. Return to the city, where we will dinner and sleep.

DAY 4: COCUY – SISUMA HUT (3.900 m)

Once we have breakfast we leave Cocuy behind towards the Lagunillas Valley at 3.750 meters. Then, we continue the journey by feet for 1:30 hours until we’ll get to Sisuma Hut, very close to Pan de Azucar. During this day, we will also get acclimatized, walking over 4.000 meters of height. Overnight in the hut.

DAY 5: PAN DE AZUCAR SUMMIT – SISUMA HUT AGAIN

Our fifth day will be dedicated to a summit attempt up to Pan de Azucar peak, at 5.150 meters. The way will take us more than 4 hours up to the glacier and then, 2 more hours to the top. After celebrating our goal, taking pictures and resting for a while, we’ll descend for 3 hours to the hut. Night in there.

DAY 6: LA ESPERANZA HIKE – KANWARA HUT

After a walk across the Langunilla Valley and the Failejones Valley, we’ll get to Hacienda La Esperanza. Here, a car will be waiting us in order to take us to the Kanwara Hut, at the foot of Ritacuba Blanco. Overnight and dinner in the hut.

DAY 7: RITACUBA BLANCO SUMMIT – KANWARA HUT

In total, it will be a 5-hour hike up to the Ritacuba Blanco Summit. It is the highest mountain of the Western Andes in Colombia and you can live what amazing views it offers. Then, we’ll back down to the hut.

DAY 8: KANWARA HUT – BOGOTA CITY

Last day in this beautiful country. Today, we’ll go back Bogota driving for 12 hours. After a deserved thermal bath, we’ll spend our last night in a hotel of the capital.

DAY 9: FLIGHT TO ECUADOR – OTAVALO

A last tour in the morning and, by the afternoon, we will fly to Ecuador. We arrive to Tababela Airport and we will be transferred to a hotel in the city of Otavalo.

DAY 10: OTAVALO – OLEAS RUALES HUT

After a nice tour in the village, we will go towards the Cayambe Hut by car. We will hike around the area and we will go sleeping early so that we can leave by midnight.

DAY 11: CAYAMBE SUMMIT – PAPALLACTA

We leave the hut about 1 am after eating something. An intensive ascent is waiting ahead. We will reach the summit 6 or 7 hours later. We will rest, take some pictures and return to the hut again (3 hours). Once in the hut, we’ll pack our equipment and drive to Papallacta Village, where we will spend the night.

DAY 12: RESTING DAY IN PAPALLACTA

We will spend a resting day in the hot springs of Papallacta. They are awesome with perfect temperatures to relax. Overnight in a hotel.

DAY 13: PAPALLACTA – BASE CAMP ANTISANA

After a early breakfast, we will drive for 3 hours in direction to Santa Lucia Lagoon at 4.300 meters. We will try to get as high as possible and then, start a new hike up to the Antisana base camp at 4.750 meters of altitude. Rest and overnight there.

DAY 14: ANTISANA SUMMIT – MACHACHI

We leave the hut at midnight again towards the Antisana Summit. The way up to there will take us about 8 hours. The first section is sustained and it will be necessary to use technical equipment to walk on the glacier. Once in the top of the volcano, we’ll go back to the base camp. Rest for a while and move to Machachi.

DAY 15: RESTING DAY IN MACHACHI – RIOBAMBA

It will be a day dedicated to recover energies. We will visit the village of Machachi and its amazing markets. We can also ride horses and taste some local food. By the afternoon, we will be transferred to Riobamba, where we’ll dinner and sleep.

DAY 16: DEVIL’S NOSE – RIOBAMBA

After breakfast we will move to Alausi where we will find la famous train station to Devil’s Nose. The train ride is incredible, with drops of 45 degrees and many zigzags. Return to Riobamba by the afternoon and overnight.

DAY 17: RIOBAMBA – WHIMPER’S HUT

We will arrive at Chimborazo Reserve and then, at the hut Hermanos Carrel at 4.800 m. We will walk for an hour up to the Whimper’s Hut where we’ll stay till 23 hs.

DAY 18: CHIMBORAZO SUMMIT – BAÑOS

We start the ascent by midnight towards the Chimborazo summit, for 9 hours approximately. The top of the mountain is 6.310 meters high and from there, we will admire one of the best viewpoints of your life. We will move to Hermanos Carrell hut and there will be a transfer waiting to take us to Baños. We’ll spend the night in an accommodation of Baños.

DAY 19: EXTRA DAY IN CHIMBORAZO OR REST IN BAÑOS

It will be an extra day in case of bad weather or another complication of the group. We will enjoy the day visiting the city and resting.

DAY 20: BAÑOS – QUITO

After another fabulous day in Baños we will move to Quito, where we will sleep.

DAY 21: BACK HOME FLIGHT

Transfer to the airport and end of our services.

I have nothing more to say. It’s all up to you. If you are interested in this amazing trip around Colombia and Ecuador get in touch with me. I will be waiting your contact.

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Accommodation included

- Transport during the trip

- Permit and entrance fees

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner


Details

Accommodation

Accommodations in hotels (double room), Sisuma, Oleas Ruales, and Whyper Refuges, Kanwara Lodge.

About the guide

UIAGM/IFMGA-ASEGUIM Mountain Guide from Ecuador.

I am a mountain guide, but also a passionate traveler, climber in rock and ice, and photographer. I spend my free time and holidays exploring new destinations, discovering new mountains and cultures.

I have more than 17 years of experience climbing mountains and volcanoes not only in Ecuador, but also in other South American countries such as Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, and in the Alps in Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Germany. I also summited KhanTengri peak in the Himalayas, and Mt. McKinley in Alaska. This experiences prepared me to lead expeditions in challenging routes all around the world.

I studied 6 years of Tourism in the University, and followed ASEGUIM courses to become a mountain guide. I’ve also been evaluated by ENSA, and completed first aid courses in the Ecuadorian Red Cross.

I like guiding people from all around the world, and help them discover and enjoy the mountains, while reaching their objectives. I speak Spanish, English, German, Italian, and a bit of Russian.

Languages

Russian | Italian | German | English

Certificates

ASEGUIM | UIAGM


What people are saying about -Edgar Parra

Sarah ONeill

5.00

March, 2023

The only reason I give 4 to trip rating is that the first hike at Quilotoa was disappointing. The lake was definitely worth seeing but only going down and back up was not great. We would’ve much preferred hiking at least part way along the crater edge. Even if we only had enough time for there and back.

Manuel Perez

5.00

January, 2023

I highly recommend Edgar and Segundo Parra as your guides in Ecuador. Experienced and goal oriented service coupled with a safety first approach that will adapt to all levels of mountaineering.

Oded Guttman

5.00

January, 2023

The organization of the tour was flawless and every detail was taken care of. We engaged with Edgar through out previous months and he was very responsive and professional. Edgar had a minor injury prior to our trip so his brother, Segundo, was our guide. Segundo did a terrific job, he is very experienced and led us through the climbs with a lot of professionalism and knowledge. We really benefited from his abundant experience and we had a lot of fun.

Carolien Vreeken

3.00

September, 2022

Edgar did not host this trip but Ivan (at least this is what i understood) did. The reason I am not adding more starts is mostly because the guide did not speak English very well what made it a long and rather silent day. The weather did not cooperate which pf course is something out.of the guides control. But rain made it harder to descend and the guide did not pay enough attention to me. Therefore I ended up in the mud above my ankles and the last part of the hike he was more then a 100 meters ahead of me and did not look back once. He tried to make it work, especially with the driving but overall it definitely could be better

Mark Oveson

5.00

January, 2022

This review is a bit misleading, because we didn't climb Antisana and we didn't climb with Edgar. We had originally intended to climb this peak, but we changed to Cotopaxi after a few discussions. Also, Edgar got sick a few days before our climb, so we climbed with a different guide (Franklin). But we were extremely happy with both the mountain and the guide.

Justin Johns

5.00

January, 2022

Highly recommend!

Matthew Fleischman

5.00

December, 2021

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Tatsiana Shakhmuts

5.00

November, 2021

Great trip

Johannes Nothdurft

5.00

September, 2021

Edgar was great. I could talk with him over all questions (equipment, acclimatization, ...) before the tour easy via WhatsApp. I always feel good and save with him in the mountains. His motto „lonely summits“ was completely fulfilled.

Umesh Katdare

5.00

December, 2020

Outstanding job done by Edgar and Ivan who were professional and patient Recommend to all without a doubt

Benoit Feyen

5.00

February, 2020

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Michelle Lostracco

5.00

February, 2020

End-to-end this was very well organized with good communication. The guide was very knowledgeable and took the climb seriously. He was also easy to talk to, spoke good English and went out of his way to tell me about climbing in the region, the volcanoes and anything else I was I interested in.

Adam Behmer

5.00

January, 2020

Edgar Parra's guiding service was excellent. His guide understood the mountain, made sure I understood the approach, and did a good job of communicating. While Edgar can't control the weather, his guide did a great job of controlling the situations he could control. Highly recommended and would climb with him again.

R.Romendes

4.00

December, 2019

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Rachel La Fein

4.00

July, 2019

Edgar was a fantastic guide! We could not hope for better. Kind, courteous, interesting, interested in us and CLEARLY AN EXPERT with safety always at the forefront. We would choose to do any expedition with Edgar. The acclimatizing process was a bit unclear. I think we would have chosen to spend more days in preparation had that been suggested. We recommend asking very directly how many days are suggested for acclimatizing. That being said, there was NO DOUBT Edgar had our best interest at heart and as already stated, we would love to do more mountaineering with him again. He is the consummate guide and a wonderful human being. Lonely Summits provided any gear we needed and it was all comfortable and in good condition. If you’re looking for a well-structured trip with a highly skilled and knowledgeable guide, look no further!


 

You may also like

 

Find more mountaineering trips in Colombia

 

Join our newsletter!

Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.