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Climbing trip to South Illiniza, Antisana and Chimborazo

Climbing trip to South Illiniza, Antisana and Chimborazo | Ecuador

A 15-day trip where you'll climb two important volcanoes of Ecuador: the South Illiniza and the Antisana. Join a local ASEGUIM Certified Mountain Guide.

Not specified

Andes

15 Days

All year


Description

The Iliniza is a stratovolcano in the southwest of Quito. It has two snow-capped peaks, the South Illiniza (5,248 m) and the North Illiniza (5,126 m). During this trip, we'll climb the first one. Its ascent is more difficult than the northern peak due to its glacial nature. The route has intermediate-advanced difficulty steps and after some occasional snowfall, we may need to use rope and crampons.

I think that the South Illiniza is one of the best acclimatization mountains in Ecuador. You can use it as a preparatory ascent for higher peaks such as the Cotopaxi, Chimborazo and Cayambe. In addition, we will spend some nights in a rustic hut which is between the two peaks. We'll reach there from El Chaupi.

As for the Antisana, it is the fourth highest volcano in Ecuador. It lies inside an important natural reserve, where the native fauna and flora abounds. We can find many species of birds here, among them, the hummingbirds and the frailejones. Its summit has a glacier and we can access there from the city of Quito.

I think it is a great opportunity to climb two summits in only one trip. If you are planning to come to Ecuador, don't miss this chance! Contact me now for more details and make your reservation.

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

- Transportation start and back

- Transport during the trip

- Permit and entrance fees


Itinerary

Day 1: Quito

Arrival into Quito. Transfer to the Sierra Madre Hotel.

Day 2: Acclimatization in Pasochoa (4199 m)

We will depart at 8.30 AM towards the Cerro Pasochoa at 4199 m. It is an ancient and eroded volcano which has been inactive since the last ice age. We will drive until we are at the parking lot, from where we will follow the track along the east side of the mountain. This easy ascent will take us 3-4 hours. Rest for one hour, lunch and return down to the car. In the afternoon we’ll move to the Machachi city. Overnight at Hosteria la Estación (B/BL).

Day 3: Hotel – Guagua Pichincha hut

This day we will leave at 9 am from the hotel in direction to Quito through the Llloa village, at 3400 meters high. From here we will start to walk towards the hut over an old path, admiring the Andean native vegetation. The refuge is at 4600 m. So we will gain an altitude of 1200 meters today and the hike will take around 4 hours. Arrival at hut at 4-5 PM, rest, dinner and sleep (B/BL/D).

Day 4: Guagua Pichincha - Rucu Pichincha - Quito

Breakfast at 7 AM and then, we will move up to the Guagua Pichincha peak (4790 m). The ascent will take 1:30 hour. Then, we will climb its father summit at 4385 m. And finally, we will continue to the summit of Rucu Pichincha at 4696 m. The crossing of this route is very interesting because of its nature and geography with several summits and landscapes. It is a perfect acclimatization process to continue with the plan to climb the Antisana summit. After making the 3 summits we will go directly down to the cable car for 2-3 hours to the base of the mountain where we will take a car to the hotel Sierra Madre (B/BL).

Day 5: Quito – Illiniza Hut

Rest morning and lunch at 12 AM on the Papallacta Resort to be ready to leave at 1 PM. Drive during 3 hours until we reach the parking lot at 3900 m. From here, we will hike up for other 3 hours to the Illiniza Hut. The heavy gear will be carried by the mules so you can hike only with your day backpack (B/BL/D).

Day 6: Iliniza South - La Ciénega

We will wake up at 3 AM, have breakfast, check the equipment and leave the hut at 4 AM. So, we will start hiking up on a moderated terrain until we reach a section of rock climbing. After that we have reached the glacier. This section has steep ice/snow technical slopes and some crevasses depending on the snow conditions. We may need to use ice axes, crampons and helmet. The difficulty of this peak can increase or decrease depending on the presence or lack of ice or snow.

Once at the summit we will have a rest, eat and take many pictures. After recovering your energy we will start descending by the same way. The round trip will take 9 hours. Arrival at hut, rest, packing of the gear and moving down to the parking lot. We will then drive to La Ciénega, where we’ll arrive at 4 – 5 PM (B/BL).

And if you have enough energy we can make the Iliniza North summit as well today!!!

Day 7: La Ciénaga – Antisana Camp

We will depart from Quito to travel to our base camp in Antisana at 4700 m. This is a remarkable journey since we will pass by lava flows in the country side. It is also common to see and admire some Andean eagles and condors during this trip. We will set up the base camp in the Antisana base (B/L/D).

Day 8: Getting ready for the ascent

Today we will hike to open and recognize the way up for the next morning climb. After noon we will come down to the campsite. We must prepare for a midnight departure to the Antisana summit. Early dinner and rest usually by 6:30 PM (B/BL/D).

Day 9: Resting day in Antisana

We can use this day for relaxing or we can hike a bit around the area to get well acclimatized. Early dinner and rest (B/BL/D).

Day 10: Antisana Summit Day

We will wake up at midnight, have breakfast and check the equipment. That way we will reach the summit by 8 AM. The route is complex but offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The get to the Antisana glacier it will be necessary to apply some snow and ice techniques. After conquering the summit and taking pictures, we will descend to the base camp and then to the Quito Hotel. Full nigh rest in the Papallacta hot spring resort (B/BL).

Day 11: Resting day in Papallacta

Enjoy this nice area, relax and recover your energies for Chimborazo (B).

Day 12: Papallacta – Chimborazo hut

Today we will drive for 5 hours to reach the parking lot and hike to the Whimper hut in 45 minutes. We will arrive at the hut around 3 PM. So, we will prepare the dinner and try to sleep early because we must wake up at midnight for the next day summit attempt (BL/D).

Day 13: Chimborazo summit day

Chimborazo is Ecuador’s highest peak and it is a massive glaciated volcano with five summits. Getting up at midnight for breakfast and equipment check and then leaving the hut at 1 AM. We will move immediately to the huge glacier on Chimborazo’s southwest face where we will first traverse moderately angled ice slopes and climb through a series of icefalls. Our team will rope together in order to cross crevasses and finally reach the summit. This is the highest point of the Andes and from here we will have a magnificent view of the emerging volcanoes that form the eastern and western range. The round trip will take around 8 to 9 hours.

Return to the hut by noon. Short rest, packing the gear and drive back to Quito. We’ll get to the city by around 8 PM. Sierra Madre Hotel (B/BL). If we stay at Chimborazo Hut you will have B/BL/D included.

Day 14: Extra day

Extra day in case of bad weather. Depending on it, we will sleep in the hut or in the Sierra Madre Hotel (B/BL).

Day 15: End of the program

Transfer to the airport in Quito and end of this amazing program (B).

 

About the guide

Guide profile image

Reynaldo

5.00

(1)

Mountain Guide

20 years climbing
8 years mountaineering
I am a sports climbing coach
I like trekking guides and mountains

Languages

Portuguese | English

Certificates

ASEGUIM

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What people are saying about Reynaldo

Paul

5.00

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.


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