Avenue of the Volcanoes

12 days - 5 mountains

Sun and Snow offers you a 12-day itinerary where you will experience high altitude mountaineering and a good blend of easy acclimatisation hikes. During the Avenue of the Volcanoes Expedition you will stay in a wide range of accommodations including historical haciendas and cozy country side hostels.

The Volcanoes Expedition is not only an excellent mountaineering experience, you will also observe the daily life of the Ecuadorian Andean region.

Itinerary

DAY 1. QUITO CITY TOUR - BRIEFING AND GEAR CHECK In the morning at hotel general briefing about the expedition and gear check. After and as a good way to begin with the acclimatisation process, visit to the colonial downtown of Quito (2800 m/9,184 ft.) the first city to be recognized as Cultural Heritage of the Mankind by the UNESCO. We will visit the most important sites in the old town including La Compañía de Jesús, The Metropolitan Cathedral, the San Francisco church and “El Panecillo” hill. Overnight in Quito. (No meals included) DAY 2. ACCLIMATISATION HIKE TO PASOCHOA (4200 m/13,776 ft.) Early in the mooring we will leave Quito, driving south for 1:30 hours until the base of Pasochoa peak, it is a small extinct volcano. Here we will start our hike up to the summit (13,776 ft/4200m) from the top we will have a great view of all mountains around including Cotopaxi and far in the distance Cayambe (our next objectives), back at the valley we will drive back to Quito. (B/BL) DAY 3. QUITO - RUCU PICHINCHA (4690 m/15,400 ft.) - QUITO We continue with our acclimatisation on Rucu Pichincha. In just few minutes we can go as high as 4100 m/13,448 ft. Rucu (Quichua for "Old") is one of the three major peaks that make up the Pichincha massif; Quito is actually built on the eastern slopes of this volcanic group. The hike follows a clear and well defined trail normally frequented by many hikers and mountaineers, is straightforward and normally takes 4 to 5 hours (round trip). After this hike we return to the same hotel accommodations. (B/BL) DAY 4 - 5 CAYAMBE REFUGE 4600 m/15,088 ft. In the morning we will drive up towards the upper hills of the Cayambe volcano. Depending on the road conditions we can reach the refuge on our vehicle but if the road is not in a good condition a short hike will be necessary. Once at the refuge we continue with our itinerary and training schedule. Overnight at the refuge. (B/BL/D) During the glacier exercises we cover the following subjects: - Snow walking techniques, ice axe positioning, moving in balance and rest-step - Self arrest techniques - Snow and ice security methods and techniques - Crampon techniques - Basic knots - Roped glacier travel and route finding After each session you return to the refuge for a comforting meal. (B/BL/D) DAY 6. CAYAMBE SUMMIT DAY - QUITO At midnight we will get up to prepare ourselves for the first BIG ONE, the summit of the Cayambe volcano. The ascent will take around 7 hours of steady pace-climb on snowfields crossed by a few crevasses which are easy to identify and avoid. If the weather is clear we will have the opportunity to admire some far away rivers flowing into the deep Amazon Forest. Return to the refuge and drive back to Quito. (B/BL) DAY 7. COTOPAXI CLIMBER’S HUT (4800 m/15,744 ft) In the morning we will leave for the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. After checking in we will take a scenic drive up to the car park at 14,980 ft. / 4566 m. From there we will go on a short 45 min. hike up to the refuge Jose Ribas. This mountain hut is located on the north face of the mountain. In the afternoon we go to the glacier for a brief glacier training. Later we will have the chance to take great pictures at sunset. Early dinner and rest before we climb one of the most colorful mountains in the country. (B/BL/D) DAY 8. COTOPAXI SUMMIT DAY (5897 m/19,342 ft) HACIENDA LA CIENEGA Leaving at 1 am we will hike up the scree slopes for one hour until the entrance of the glacier. After an interesting glacier travel we will deal with a couple of steeper sections (45 degrees) which will take 4 hours then arrive to the Yanasacha wall (18,696 ft/5700 m). From there it is about 1:30 hour climb to the summit. Once on the top we can observe the crater and far in the south the impressive mountains on the "Avenue of The Volcanoes", including Chimborazo. After enjoying the view, we descend to the hut and catch our ride to the historical Hacienda La Cienega. (B/BL) DAY 9. EASY DAY: TRANSFER FROM HACIENDA LA CIENEGA TO URBINA LODGE Today we continue traveling further south along the "Avenue of the Volcanoes" towards the high pass of Urbina at 3600 m / 11,800 ft. Here we spend one night at the charming Urbina lodge located at the foothills of Chimborazo and Carihuairazo. (B/BL/D) DAY 10. URBINA LORGE - CHIMBORAZO MOUNTAIN HUT 5050m/16,564 ft. Depart from Urbina lodge in the morning for a two hours’ drive to the Carrel hut (4800m) then 45 minutes’ walk up to the to the Whymper hut (5050 m/16,564 ft.). Early dinner and rest. (B/BL/D) DAY 11. SUMMIT OF CHIMBORAZO (6310 m/20,696 ft.) We will depart at midnight and continue on the Castillo route. Once over the edge of the glacier, we have to overcome a section of short raises to the beginning of the ridge on a place named "El Castillo". After, we climb along this ridge towards the final steps for the Veintimilla summit (6270 m / 20,565 FT). We will traverse across the first and the second summit, The Whymper summit, the furthest point from the center of the Earth. The ascent will take eight to ten hours and we will descend to the refuge in four hours. Transfer to the subtropical town of Baños (1.900 m/6,232 ft.). In the afternoon we will celebrate the success of our climbs. Overnight in hotel accommodations. (B/BL) In case of an additional day on the mountain we stay at the hut for a second summit attempt. DAY 12. CHIMBORAZO AND RETURN TO QUITO This day can be used as back up – weather day in case to be needed. Return to the Carrel hut and drive back to Quito. (B/BL)