16-day program that includes climbs of Ecuador's three highest peaks: Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, and Cayambe.
The Ecuador Volcanoes offer fantastic climbing on high altitude glaciated peaks with wonderful accommodations along the way. The volcanoes are located just outside Quito, the capital city, making for short travel days in between climbs. Our program offers climbs on the three highest peaks in Ecuador: Cayambe (5,790m/18,996ft), Cotopaxi (5897m/19,347ft) and Chimborazo (6263m/20,549ft), each with heavily glaciated summits. During the program, we have ample time for a technical skills review. With Quito as our base, we ascend these Ecuadorian giants and rest between climbs in Hacienda style lodges that provide an outstanding relaxation and dining experience. Our camps on these volcanoes are either European style mountain huts or tent camps. The combination of these beautiful climbs with first-rate lodging throughout makes this program very enjoyable!
16-day Cayambe, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo expedition
Day 1: Arrive Quito (2850m/9,350ft). Airport pick up and transfer to Hotel Mercure. Overnight at Hotel Mercure. [no meals included]
Day 2: Drive to Otavalo where we will visit the famous handicraft market. Acclimatization hike around Cuicocha Lake (3500m/11,482ft) in the north. This is an easy day hike in beautiful surroundings. Afterward we drive to our mountain lodge near Otavalo. Overnight at La Luna. [B/BL/D]
Day 3: Acclimatization hike on the Fuya Fuya volcano (4275m/14,025ft). After breakfast, we drive 30 minutes for our next acclimatization hike at lake Mojanda. Drive back to the same mountain lodge close to Otavalo. [B/BL/D]
Day 4: Acclimatization hike on the Imbabura volcano (4621m/15,160ft). Overnight at same mountain lodge close to Otavalo. [B/BL/D]
Day 5: Drive to Cayambe hut (4648m/15,250ft). After breakfast drive to the Cayambe hut, settle in and review glacier skills. Overnight at the hut. [B/BL/D]
Day 6: Active rest day. An easy day with just a small hike, rest in the afternoon, and preparation for the early morning alpine start of our summit attempt. [B/L/D]
Day 7: Cayambe summit day! (5758m/18,891ft). After our attempt on the summit, we descend to the hut, pack up, and return to Quito. Overnight at the Hotel Reina Isabel. [B/BL]
Day 8: Rest day in Quito with optional city tour. [B]
Day 9: Drive to Quilotoa (3 hours), visit the crater-lake Quilotoa (3814m/12,513ft) and enjoy the atmosphere of the Ecuadorian countryside. Overnight at Mountain Lodge Mama Hilda, 30 min from Quilotoa (3200m/10,498ft). [B/D]
Day 10: Travel to Cotopaxi. Today we drive to the National Park Cotopaxi and hike to the Jose Ribas Refuge (4800m/15,748ft). Overnight at the hut. [B/L/D]
Day 11: Cotopaxi summit day! (5897m/19,347ft). After our attempt on the summit, we descend to the hut, pack up, and drive to the Tambopaxi mountain lodge. Overnight at Tambopaxi Lodge. [B/BL/D]
Day 12: Travel/Rest Day. Today we travel from Tambopaxi Lodge to the nice subtropical town of Banios and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Overnight at Hotel La Floresta [B]
Day 13: Waterfall tour in the morning with free afternoon where you can enjoy the hot springs in Banios. Overnight at Hotel La Floresta [B]
Day 14: Banios – Refuge Carrel (4800m/15,748ft) – High Camp on Chimborazo (5300m/17,388ft). From Banios we drive about 3 hours through picturesque fields and bizarre gorges, the road winds to the plateau on the slopes of Chimborazo. We see llamas, vicunas, and alpacas. We drive to the Carrel Hut and there we will start marching to the high camp at 5300m/17,388ft. In the high camp, we will have the full amenities of private tents, a kitchen, etc. About 3 hours of climbing. Early dinner and rest. [B/BL/D]
Day 15: Chimborazo summit day! (6263m/20,549ft). We will get up before midnight to begin our ascent on Chimborazo. After 8 hours, we will reach the first summit named Veintimilla and then to Chimborazo’s high summit called Whymper (6263m/20,549ft). Around noon we will have completed our descent back to the refuge where our transport will be waiting to drive us back to Quito. Total walking time between 10 to 14 hours. Overnight at Hotel Mercure. [B/BL]
Day 16: Depart Quito. Transfer to the airport and flight back home. [B]
Meals stated in itinerary [B=Breakfast, BL=Box Lunch, L=Lunch, D=Dinner]. Vegetarian or special diets can easily be arranged in advance.
- Airport Pick up
- 3 star hotels in Quito
- Park entrance fees
- Climbing permit fees
- Hut fees
- Hacienda lodges
- All meals while climbing
- Guide service from our finest Ecuadorean guides
- Airfare
- Personal Items
- Meals in Quito
- Option to upgrade to single room
- Fees for early departure
- Trip cancellation insurance or the required medical evacuation insurance
- Bank wire transfer fees, if applicable
- Airport taxes
- American mountain guides
- $4,850
- January, February, June, July, October, November, December 9 - 16 Days
- Mountaineering
- $4,850
- January, February, June, July, October, November, December 9 - 16 Days
- Mountaineering
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