Chimborazo & Cotopaxi

We’ll meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel where you’ll have a talk with our guide in order to crystal clear any doubt clouding your mind and to check your equipment is proper and fitted for the purposes in our Chimborazo and Cotopaxi expedition

Max altitude: 2800m / 9186 ft
Lodging: Hotel
Meals: No
Transport: Airpot transfer
Scheme: Reception at the airport, head to the hotel, equipment checking, itinerary checking, and then you’re all free to do as you see fitted.

Today you will drive and hike 6-7 hrs to Laguna Cuicocha, the “guinea pig lake”, which is located at an altitude of 3064 m. From the crater rim there are always pictures views over the lagoon with its two pretty islands and the valley of Otavalo. The panorama is particularly impressive in clear weather, when the snow-covered peaks of the volcanoes Cotacachi (4944 m) and Cayambe (5790 m) appear. In the afternoon you will drive back to the capital Quito.

Max altitude: 3064 m / 10052 ft
Lodging: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast hotel, box-lunch.
Transport: Yes
Scheme: Drive, hike and aclimatizzation

Short drive to the foot of Rucu Pichincha. Ecuador’s most modern cable car will take you to the 3950 meters high station. A few steps further on the 4050 meter high viewpoint “Cruz Loma” you will have a breathtaking view of the city and its surrounding 13 volcanoes. From there, you will first hike through a wildly romantic Parámol landscape to the foot of the peak and continue along a steep path to the highest point at 4698 meters in 6 hrs. In good weather you can see as far as Cotopaxi. After a rest you will return to Quito, where you will spend the night near the old town.

Max altitude: 4698 m / 15413 ft
Lodging: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast hotel, box-lunch.
Transport: Yes
Scheme: Drive, cable car, easy climb and aclimatizzation

Drive to the Guagua Pichincha. A hike will take you first to the Refugio Guagua Pichincha, 4560 meters high. From there you will walk to the crater rim and via the pre-summit up to the 4797 meter high main summit of the active house volcano of Quito. If the weather is good, there is a magnificent view. Afterwards return to Quito and overnight stay as on the previous day.

Max altitude: 4797 m / 15738 ft
Lodging: Hostel
Meals: Breakfast hotel, box-lunch.
Transport: Yes
Scheme: Drive, easy climb and aclimatizzation

In the late morning you will be driven to the twin volcanoes Illiniza Norte and Illiniza Sur. The hike will take you uphill through a beautiful volcanic landscape to your refuge at 4700 meters above sea level.

Max altitude: 4700 m / 15420 ft
Lodging: Refuge
Meals: Breakfast, box-lunch, dinner
Transport: Yes
Scheme: Drive, trekking and aclimatizzation

Early in the morning you will have the opportunity to climb the 5126 meters high Illiniza Norte. The ascent will take you along a path to the saddle and further uphill to the summit cross. The beautiful panorama of the road of volcanoes compensates for the effort. Afterwards, we will drive to the Cotopaxi National Park to the beautifully located Hacienda Los Mortiños at 3700m, with views of the Cotopaxi and the twin volcanoes Illiniza Norte and Illiniza Sur.

Max altitude: 5126 m / 16817 ft
Lodging: Refuge
Meals: Breakfast , box-lunch, dinner
Transport: Yes
Scheme: Drive, climbing and aclimatizzation

Rest day at the national park

Max altitude: 3700 m / ft
Lodging: Refuge
Meals: Breakfast , box-lunch, dinner
Transport: No
Scheme: Rest day

It is time to pack your equipment and you will receive a briefing on the upcoming ascent of Cotopaxi, as well as how to use crampons and ice axe if necessary. In the early afternoon, drive to the parking lot in Cotopaxi National Park (4,600m) and ascend to José Ribas mountain hut, 4,864m, where you will spend the night. Walking time: 45min, +264m

Alternative Cayambe: Drive to Refugio Ruales Oleas – After breakfast you will set off to the extinct volcano Cayambe. You will reach the village of Cayambe after about 3.5h, where you will have a fortifying lunch and meet your mountain guide. Today you will drive up to 4600Hm to the mountain hut Ruales Oleas, here you will receive a briefing on the upcoming climb as well as how to use crampons and ice axe if necessary.

Max altitude: 4864 m / 15958 ft
Lodging: Refuge
Meals: Breakfast
Transport: Yes
Scheme: Drive, hike and rest

At midnight you will start your ascent to the highest active volcano on earth. The first stage brings you to the glacier tongue, followed by up to 40 degrees steep snow and firn fields up to the volcano funnel. The last meters of altitude to the summit will require you to have good stamina and strong willpower. After about 6 to 8 hours of climbing you will reach the 5897 meter high summit of Cotopaxi. If the weather is good, you can enjoy the first rays of sunshine of the day. All your efforts will have been more than worth it when you can enjoy the enormous crater, more than 600 meters wide by 800 meters, and the incredible view. The descent once again requires all your attention. After arriving at the mountain lodge, you can say goodbye to the guides. Afterwards you will be driven to the hot springs in Baños. Overnight stay in the center of Baños. Travel time: 3 hours; walking time: 9-11 hours in total, +1030m/-1300m

Alternative Cayambe: Ascent to the 5970 meters high summit of Cayambe – In the middle of the night, around 24h you start your summit attack. Over rocky terrain, several slopes and some crevasses you will reach the summit after about 6 hours. Here you will be rewarded with a beautiful view over the surrounding mountains: Cotopaxi, Antisana, Imbabura,… After arriving back at the mountain hut, a delicious breakfast awaits you before continuing to Baños to the hot springs. Travel time: 3 hrs; walking time: 9-11 hrs total, +1030m/-1300m

Max altitude: 5897 m / 19347 ft
Lodging: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast.
Transport: Yes
Scheme: Climbing organize equipment, drive

The small town nestles in a valley at the foot of the Tungurahua volcano, surrounded by imposing cliffs and rushing waterfalls, and has a spring-like climate. After the climb the day before, you can relax in the warm thermal baths. You will also have time for an extensive stroll through the town and a walk to the “Puente San Francisco”. The suspension bridge connects Baños and the steep mountain slope of Vallecito, while below you the Rio Pastaza seeks its way through the valley. The hot springs, the pleasant climate and the cozy atmosphere make Baños the most popular resort in Ecuador. Overnight stay as on the previous day.

Max altitude: 1820 m / 5971 ft
Lodging: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast.
Transport: No
Scheme: Rest free day

In the morning, drive to Refugio Carell in Chimborazo National Park. The inactive volcano Chimborazo is located in the nature reserve “Reserva Natural de Produccion Faunistica Chimborazo”. After two hours of driving, lunch will be waiting for you in Riobamba and after another hour of driving you will reach the Carrel Hut. From there you will hike to Whymper Hut and Condor Lake at 5100m. Overnight stay in mountain hut in Refugio Carell at 4,850m

Max altitude: 5100 m / 16732 ft
Lodging: Refuge
Meals: No
Transport: Yes
Scheme: Drive and small hike

From the lodge, begin the ascent to the high camp of Chimborazo (5300m), which is reached after about three hours around noon. Before you start your ascent of Chimborazo, you will meet the mountain guides and get a briefing. After an extensive siesta (=rest time) you will start your ascent via the western route to the highest mountain of Ecuador at about 24 o’clock. Overnight stay in the tent in the high camp at 5300m.

Max altitude: 5300 m / 16732 ft
Lodging: Mountain Tent
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch
Transport: No
Scheme: Trekking, set the camp

At about 1 o’clock, climb via ferrata, which is an alternative to the normal ascent route to the summit of Chimborazo. This route consists of 22 stainless steel anchors anchored 14 meters above the ground in solid basalt rock, and a 4-meter-high angle of weathered rock where the staircase ends. The anchorages ensure safety and reduce the risk of accidents caused by falling rocks during the passage of the Castillo ridge. After the traverse, the route continues over snow, firn or ice fields up to 40 degrees steep to the Veintimilla summit. From here, the main summit (Whymper) is only about 45 minutes away. You will need a strong will and very good physical condition to stand on the 6310 meters high Chimborazo after about 6 to 7 hours. Enjoy the rising sun on the highest mountain of Ecuador (weather permitting). The view you get from up here over the surrounding volcanic peaks and the sea of clouds is phenomenal. At the latest now you know why it is worthwhile to take the strain of the ascent upon yourself. In about 4 to 5 hours you will descend to Refugio Carell with full concentration. Before you drive to Baños, there will be time to say goodbye to the guides and take a short break. Afterwards return to Quito

Max altitude: 6310 m / 20702 ft
Lodging: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Transport: Yes
Scheme: Climb Chimborazo, drive to quito

After the breakfast we will pick you at the hotel to take you to the airport. With this we finish our Chimborazo and Cotopaxi expedition.

Max altitude: 5300 m / 16732 ft
Lodging: No
Meals: Breakfast.
Transport: Airtport Transfer
Scheme: Airtport Transfer