Ecuador Climbing Special

9 days - 5 mountains.

At just a short driving distance from the capital city Quito, we can easily get to the base of several volcanoes over 4000 m. / 12,000 ft. up to 6310 m. / 20,696 ft.

This compact mountaineering program offers you five wonderful summits including Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, the top two highest peaks in Ecuador. During this expedition you will learn more about high altitude mountaineering and get to know, to an entry level, some of the most basic mountaineering skills. Remote, and at the same time accessible are the words that describes our Ecuador Climbing Special program.

If you would like to get an impression of this well designed expedition, please have a look at the itinerary below.

Itinerary

1.- QUITO ? PASOCHOA (4200 m / 13,776 ft.) ? QUITO Pasochoa is an ancient and heavily eroded volcano that has been inactive since the last ice age. If the weather permits, from the summit, we will be able to take a good look at the crater. Early in the morning we will leave Quito, driving south for 1:30 hours until the base of Pasochoa. Once we get to the trail head we will start our hike up to the summit (13,776 ft. /4200m) from where we will have a great view of all the mountains around including Cotopaxi and Ilinizas (our next objectives). Back at the car we will drive to Quito to same hotel accommodations. (B/BL) 2.- QUITO - RUCU PICHINCHA HIKE (4690 m / 15,400 ft.) - QUITO We continue with our acclimatization process 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 massive; 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) 3.- QUITO - ILINIZAS CLIMBER?S HUT. Iliniza North and South are located about 55 km South West of Quito. Originally, they were one volcano, which exploded and split in half a very long time ago! The two peaks are separated by a saddle. Their distance is about 2 km. Iliniza South is icy and therefore difficult. Iliniza North is rocky and a lot easier. 50 years ago Iliniza North had a glacier, but it has completely melted in the last few decades. After an early breakfast we will drive towards the base of Ilinizas and stop on a place named "La Virgen" located at 12,792ft/ 3900 m. From there we will hike up for 3 hours to the mountain refuge (15,200 ft. / 4700 m.). Once in the refuge we will have the afternoon to rest, relax and get prepared for the climb. (B/BL/D) 4.- SUMMIT ILINIZA NORTH AND DESCEND TO EL CHAUPI. The route follows the south ridge of the mountain, while we enjoy the sunrise with amazing views of Cotopaxi and the Southern peak. During the last hour we will fix some lines to make our climb faster and safe. We will reach the summit (16,780 ft. /5116 m.) within 3 hours of climb. After enjoying the summit descend to La Virgen and drive back to El Chaupi. Here we will get rest and recover energy for our next goal. (B/BL/D) 5.- COTOPAXI CLIMBER?S HUT (4800 M / 15,744 FT). In the morning we 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 refuge is located on the north face of Cotopaxi. In the afternoon we will go to the glacier for a brief glacier practice. 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) 6.- COTOPAXI SUMMIT DAY (5.897 M / 19,342 FT) AND DRIVE TO BA?OS. Leaving at 1 am we will hike up the scree slopes for 1 hour until reaching the glacier. After an interesting glacier travel we will deal with a couple of steeper sections (45 degrees) which will take 4 hours, we will arrive at the Yanasacha wall (18,696 ft. / 5700 m.). From there it is about 1 1/2 hour climb to the summit. Once on the top we can observe the crater and far in the south the impressive mountains along the "Volcanoes Avenue", including Chimborazo. After enjoying the views, we descend to the hut and catch our ride to Ba?os. (B/BL) 7. - REST DAY IN BA?OS (1900M / 6,232 FT). In the morning we will visit the Waterfall Route which leads to the Amazon basin. According to its name, several waterfalls are found along the way, such as Manto de la Novia, Agoyan and the impressive Pailon del Diablo. Return to Ba?os for lunch and free afternoon to enjoy the charming atmosphere in this subtropical town. (B) 8.- CHIMBORAZO WHYMPER HUT. Depart from Ba?os in the morning. 2-3 hours? drive to the Carrel hut (4800m / 15,744 ft) then 40 minutes? walk up to the to the Whymper hut (5000m / 16,400 FT). Early dinner and rest. (B/BL/D) 9.- CHIMBORAZO SUMMIT DAY (6310 M / 20,696 FT) AND RETURN TO QUITO. 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 frozen scree. We continue on a long ridge for about 4-5 hours then we climb the final steps to the Veintimilla summit (6270 m / 20,565 FT). We will traverse across to climb to the Whymper summit, the furthest point from the center of the Earth. The ascent will take eight hours approximately and we will descend to the refuge in four hours. Return to Quito. (B/BL)