Climbing Cotopaxi 5897m and Chimborazo 6310m

Day 1:  Arrival in Quito (2.800 m).  (Transfer in-Airport-Hotel)

Overnight: Hostel in Quito. (no meals included)

Day 2: Acclimatization hike to Pasochoa volcano (4200m) - Quito

We’ll leave from Quito (2.800 m.) early in the morning and will drive southeast for about 1,5 hour through the Andean highlands until getting to the trail head (3.500 m). As we gain elevation we’ll be able to see the surrounding snow-capped mountains, such as Antisana, Cayambe, Illiniza, Cotopaxi and even Chimborazo far away to the south in clear days. Once nearing the summit, will be hiking by the ridge of the deep forest-covered caldera which takes us to the true summit soon after. It will take us about 5 hours round trip. Drive back to Quito to the same hostel. (B/BL)

Day 3: Climb Guagua Pichincha (4791m) – Quito

Early morning departure towards Pichincha, the local mountain from Quito. From the village of Lloa, at about 3,500 m, drive to the refuge and march to the crater rim of the Guagua Pichincha, 4.800 m, a still active volcano. Here you can see fumaroles and especially, in clear weather, most of the high snow mountains of Ecuador. Descent and overnight in Quito. Total walking time: about 5 h. (B/BL)

Day 4: Transfer to “La Virgen”, Hike to the “Nuevos Horizontes” Refuge (4.750m).

After breakfast, we will drive towards the base of Ilinizas and we will stop on a place named "La Virgen" located at 3900 m. There will be waiting horses for carrying our stuff up to the refuge. Once there we will start a 3-hour hike up to the “Nuevos Horizontes Refuge”, where we will relax the rest of the afternoon. Dinner will be served by late afternoon. Overnight in the hut. (B/BL/D)

Day 5. Climb Iliniza Norte (5.125 m) – Quito

Our climbing day starts at about 5h00. We will have a light breakfast, pack our climbing equipment and leave the refuge an hour later. We will continue hiking up towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then to Iliniza Norte summit (16,818ft/5.125m) soon after. The approaching to the top involves an easy 3 hour srambling. Once at the summit we will enjoy and admire the beautiful surroundings. We go down for about 3 hours to La Virgen parking lot and drive back to Quito to the same hostel. Horses will bring our stuff down to the parking lot. (B/BL)

Day 6: Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park, hike to the Jose Ribas Refuge (4.800 m).
We’ll leave from the hostel in the morning and will drive to the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. There we will have lunch and registration. From there we’ll drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (4.500 m) and then hike up for another hour to the Jose Ribas Refuge (4.800 m). Once at the refuge we will store our belongings and rest in the afternoon. Dinner and Overnight in the hut. (B/L/D).

Day 7: Climb Cotopaxi (5.897 m) - Quito

Midnight will be our wake up time, and the departure to the top (5.897 m) will be around midnight, not before having a hot drink and get our stuff ready for the ascent, which will take us about 6 to 8 hours. Each climber will get a box lunch for the climb. Once at the summit we’ll take our time to take pictures of the crater and surroundings, and then we’ll head down back the refuge (3 to 4 hours).

Once at the refuge we will pack our belongings, have something to eat and drink and go back to the parking lot where our transportation will be ready to take us back to the same hostal in Quito. (B/BL).

Day 8. Rest day in Quito (B)

Day 9: Quito – Refuge Carrel 4800m – High Camp on Chimborazo 5300m

From Quito we drive south, past the cities of Latacunga and Ambato and always along the famous “Avenue of Volcanoes”. 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 4800m and there we will start marching to the high camp at 5300m. In the high camp we will expect the complete logistics with tents, kitchen etc. We need about 3 hours. Early dinner and rest. (B/BL/D)

Day 10: Summit climb Chimborazo (6310m)

We will get up before midnight to ascend the Chimborazo and after 8 hours we will reach first to the summit Veintimilla (6270m) and then to the maximum summit Whymper (6310m). At about noon we will be back in the refuge, where we will rest a little before returning to Quito. Walking time between 10 to 12 hours. Drive back to Quito. Overnight in the same hostel. (B/BL)

Day 11. Transfer to the airport and flight home. (B).