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Ecuador Treks

Four Ecuadorian Peaks in 11 Days

On this page: Overview | Itinerary | Pricing

Overview

Ascend 4 Peaks: Fuya-Fuya 4294m / North Illinizas 5116m / Cotopaxi 5897m / Chimborazo 6310m

In this 11 day climbing trek you will be taken on a spectacular trip in the volcanoes country. This trip is specially catered to mountaineers and also allows to you at the same time to visit Indian markets, Andean populations, varied landscapes, and discover of the great country of Ecuador.

An experienced and licensed Ecuadorian bilingual high mountain guide assures the success of the trip while a practical snow and ice technique course will refresh, improve, and unify the level of the participants. During the roped ascents of the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, a guide for every two climbers and radio communication will assure maximum safety for the group. This is a unique trip that offers the opportunity to ascend the 2 highest summits of Ecuador in a record time.

Join this group, or start your trek on any day of the year!

Cotopaxi

 Itinerary

June 22: Quito > Trek Cuicocha Lake (3400 m / 11,155 ft) > Otavalo

Departure at 07:00 A.M. from your hotel in Quito by private vehicle. Road to the north by the Pan-American highway to to the beautiful Cuicocha lagoon (3000 m / 9,845 ft), an old volcanic crater transformed by nature into a lake. Acclimatization walk of 3 to 4 hours around the crater and at the foot of the Cotacachi volcano (11,155 ft approx.). Box lunch. Back to Otavalo at the end of the afternoon.

June 23: Otavalo > Mojanda Lagoons > Fuya-Fuya Summit (4294 m / 14,088 ft) > Otavalo

Departure from Otavalo to go up to the Mojanda lagoons (3800 m / 12,470 ft). Hiking and easy climb of the Cerro "Fuya-Fuya" (4294 m / 14,088 ft). This ascent demands about 2.5 to 3 hours to reach the summit. Box lunch. Back to Otavalo around 2 or 3 P.M. and possibility to visit the most famous Indian market of Ecuador.

June 24: Otavalo > Cayambe Refuge (4600 m / 15,092 ft).

After breakfast, transfer from Otavalo to the Cayambe refuge (2h30 ride + 1h30 walk). Lunch at the refuge and walk to the glacier at about 4800 m (15,750 ft) to start a practical snow and ice technique course: ice axe and crampon work: first techniques.  Progression in snowfields, rope handling, belay in snow, self-arrest, ice axe and crampon work in ice fields: different progression techniques from 40 to 80º. Back to the refuge at the end of the afternoon.

June 25: Cayambe > Cochasqui > Quito

Breakfast and back to the glacier to continue the practical exercises until 10:00 A.M. Back to the refuge and we leave the Cayambe to go back to the capital (3h). On our way back, stop at Cochasqui to visit the ruins and pyramids of an old "Caras-Quitus" Indian refuge. Lunch on our way.

*Optional summit of Cayambe for extra $50/person (decide on June 25).

June 26: Quito, cable railway > El Chaupi

Breakfast and departure for the ascent in cable railway of Cruz Loma at 4050 m of altitude for an unforgettable point of view on the capital and the highest Ecuadorian summits. Imposing sight. Descent by the same way and route this time southward, following the famous "Volcanoes Valley", to reach the small village of El Chaupi located at the foot of the twin summit Illinizas Norte and Sur, where we set up in a rural hostel.

Note: For those persons who still don't know the Old City of Quito, you will be able to do a guided tour of the colonial center without extra payment. This visit is possible before the departure from Quito to the mountain. For those that want to walk a little more, there is also time to go to the summit of the Rucu Pichincha (4696 m / 15,407 ft) and add a summit to the program -- Illinizas Norte summit (5116 m / 16,784 ft) > El Chasqui.

June 27: Illinizas Norte summit (5116 m / 16,784 ft) > El Chasqui

Early in the , we leave the refuge by vehicle up to the place known as "La Virgen" (3950 m). From there 2 or 3 hours walking up to arrive at the pass between the two summits. And from there, 2 more hours will be necessary to climb the north peak of the Illinizas (5116 m). This route does not present any difficulty. Sometimes you just need to "use your hands." Back to "La Virgen" and we go down by vehicle back to El Chaupi and the Pan-American highway till El Chasqui where we set up in a nice, charming and typical country hostel.

Illinizas

June 28: El Chasqui > Cotopaxi Refuge (4800 m / 15,748 ft)

After breakfast we leave for the Cotopaxi National Park. We go up by vehicle on a dusty road that ends 200 m below the Cotopaxi refuge (4600 m). Picking up of your equipment, loading of the food in your backpacks and up to the refuge: there are about 45 minutes walk on a cinder path to reach the refuge (200 m of slope). Lunch, dinner and night at the refuge (4800m/15,748 ft).

Cotopaxi Refuge

June 29: Cotopaxi summit (5897m / 19,347 ft) > Baños

Waking up at midnight and departure from the refuge at 1:00 A.M. to climb the world's highest active volcano (5897m/19.347ft). This is an almost glacier ascent but without major difficulties. Crevasses are not numerous and well marked.  Only the presence of fresh snow or strong winds can make this ascent a difficult one.  It will take you around 5 to 6 hours to appreciate the magnificent huge summit cone. Back to the refuge around 10:00 AM. Light lunch and down to the parking lot. Lunch at Latacunga and we continue in south direction to Baños, a charming little thermal town (1800 m / 5900 ft) located at the food of the active Tungurahua volcano and well known for his warm sulfurous water pools.

June 30: Baños

Free day in Baños where you will enjoy the numerous activities you can do (rafting, canyoning, horse riding, mountain biking, etc.).

July 1: Baños > Chimborazo refuge

We leave Baños by vehicle and reach the first Chimborazo refuge (4800 m / 15,748 ft) after about three hours ride. From there on, walk for about 45 minutes with your equipment to the Edward Whimper refuge (5000 m / 16,404 ft). If weather conditions are good, we will have a look at the ascent route (+/- 1 hour). Lunch, dinner, and night at the refuge.

July 2: Chimborazo summit (6310 m / 20,702 ft) > Quito

This is an endurance route, but according to the seasons, following the conditions of snow coverage or the state of the ice, the route can also present technical or important security problems. In every case, it is essential to be in excellent physical condition, enduring and well acclimatized. The difficulties are mainly the altitude and the height difference (1,300m/4,265 ft). From 8 to 9 hours are necessary to reach Ecuador's highest summit. Back to the refuge and we leave to go back to Quito (about 4 hours ride). Lunch on our way back. Farewell dinner and night at the hotel.

Chimborazo

**IMPORTANT**
The itinerary described above may at any time be modified for safety reasons or unexpected events. Any travel that leaves the beaten paths may have to face unforeseen events (strike, cut road, local festival, etc.), or adverse weather. Your capacity of adaptation to the local conditions (transport, food, lodgings, climatic hazards), as with unexpected events will be also a key for the success of your journey.                                                             

Pricing

2010 Pricing:

Extras:

Included: All necessary transportation by private vehicle, lodging at standard hotels (double room), overnight at the mountain refuges, all meals from Quito to Quito, bottled water, all the entrance fees, a general first aid kit, mountain equipment (crampons, ice axes, harness), Spanish-English licensed high mountain guide, a high mountain guide team (1 guide / 2 people max) for the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo ascents.

Does not include: International and domestic flights, tips ($60/person), personal equipment (backpack, sleeping bag, mountain boots ($5/day rental), etc.), drinks and bottled water, transfers airport / hotel / airport ($10 by taxi), international airport taxes, any optional activities described in the itinerary, and any personal expenses.