Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes

Max Altitude:

5500 M

Tour Distance:

5500 Mm

Difficulty

Moderate

Tour Season

October to March

Max Altitude: 5500 M

Tour Distance:: 5500 M

Group Size:

Difficulty: Moderate

Tour Season: October to March

Online Booking

Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes

Trip Details

Ecuador’s famous “Avenue of the Volcanoes” offers some of the finest beginner to intermediate guided mountaineering in the Andes, set amid a fascinating cultural backdrop. The combination of challenging volcano climbs, charming haciendas, amazing food, and great guides makes this one of our most enjoyable adventures and one of the best introductions to high altitude mountaineering for advanced beginners and a challenging trip for seasoned mountaineers as well.

Climbing to Chimborazo and Cotopaxi

Chimborazo y Cotopaxi son la primera y segunda cumbres más altas de los Andes ecuatorianos. El Chimborazo (6.263 m) es la montaña más alta del país y el punto más alejado del centro de la Tierra. En cuanto al Cotopaxi (5.897 m) es uno de los volcanes más activos del mundo.

Este viaje de 9 días comienza en Quito, la capital de Ecuador. Durante la expedición, también llegaremos a la cima de Iliniza Norte (5.116 m), una montaña que funciona perfectamente como pico de aclimatación antes de probar el Cotopaxi. Además, te guiaré a los volcanes Pasochoa y Pichincha. Podrás ver una gran variedad de vida silvestre y plantas, así como hermosos paisajes y picos nevados.

Aunque las subidas no son técnicamente difíciles, será una aventura físicamente exigente. Por este motivo, es obligatorio tener una muy buena condición física.

Difficulty: PD

Duration: 11 days

Season: October to March

ITINERARY

DAY 1

TRAVEL DAY • 9,350' | 2,800M

Upon your arrival in Quito, a taxi ride takes you to our hotel. Overnight at hotel in Quito.

DAY 1

TRAVEL DAY • 9,350' | 2,800M

Upon your arrival in Quito, a taxi ride takes you to our hotel. Overnight at hotel in Quito.

DAY 2

EXPLORE QUITO • 9,350' | 2,800M

The day is spent exploring Colonial Quito. We start by heading northwest out of Quito to arrive at Mitad del Mundo (The Middle of the World). Here we visit that Intinan Museum and experience the Coriolis Effect firsthand. After attempting to balance an egg on a nail, we explore the Museum's exhibits on the first peoples of Ecuador. We return to Quito for a walking tour of Old Town. We visit at El Panecillo, a sculpture of Quito's Madonna, and take in the breathtaking 360 degree views of the city of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue our tour of the colonial architecture and streets such as the Calle La Ronda, Carondelet Palace, Independence Square, church of La Compania (1605), and the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535). There is time in the afternoon to relax and explore.

DAY 2

EXPLORE QUITO • 9,350' | 2,800M

DAY 3

ACCLIMATIZE RUCU PICHINCHA (15,696' | 4,784M) • 9,350' | 2,800M

After breakfast we take a short drive from Quito to the teleferico (gondola) which will carry us to approximately 13,500'. From there we stretch our legs and lungs with an acclimatization hike on Rucu Pichincha. The hike is beautiful, with views of Quito and most of the snow covered volcanoes in Ecuador, including Cotopaxi and Cayambe. We return to the hotel and the afternoon is free to explore the city and organize our gear for our departure from Quito the following morning.

DAY 3

ACCLIMATIZE RUCU PICHINCHA (15,696' | 4,784M) • 9,350' | 2,800M

DAY 4

NUEVOS HORTIZANTES REFUGIO • 15,100' | 4,600M

After breakfast we travel into Los Illinizas Ecological Reserve. The road ends at 12,800' (3,900m) After a three hour hike carrying daypacks, we arrive at the hut the Nuevos Hortizantes climbers' hut. . We spend the rest of the afternoon discussing the plan and arranging gear for tomorrow's ascent. Overnight at Nuevos Hortizantes Refugio

DAY 4

NUEVOS HORTIZANTES REFUGIO • 15,100' | 4,600M

DAY 5

SUMMIT DAY ILLINIZA NORTE (16,818' | 5,126M) • 15,100' | 4,600M

In the morning we'll head for the southeast ridge of Illiniza Norte. After three to four hours of class III rock scrambling, we will reach the summit. Round trip climbing time on summit day is four to six hours. night in Chaupi and/or return to Quito.

DAY 5

SUMMIT DAY ILLINIZA NORTE (16,818' | 5,126M) • 15,100' | 4,600M

DAY 6

COTOPAXI REFUGE

After breakfast, we will go to the base of Cotopaxi. A 45-minuite hike leads to the Jose Ribas Refugio at 16,000'. We will spend some time reviewing basic mountaineering techniques that will prepare us for our summit attempt. We settle in early in anticipation of our summit day. Overnight at the hut.

DAY 6

COTOPAXI REFUGE

DAY 7

COTOPAXI SUMMIT

With an early alpine start, we use the first hour to approach the glacier. A long, initial pitch gains access to an interesting maze of crevasses on the lower slopes of this beautiful volcano. The ascent then weaves through impressive crevasse fields before ascending the final steep slopes to the summit. The deep, sheer-walled volcanic crater is an incredibly impressive sight. After celebrating on the summit, we descend back to the hut. Once repacked, we load our vehicles and transfer to Baños where we spend the night. Climbing time is approximately ten to twelve hours.

DAY 7

COTOPAXI SUMMIT

DAY 8

BAÑOS

During this day, we’ll have a city tour around Baños. We’ll go to Pailon del Diablo waterfalls and spend the night in a hotel.

DAY 8

BAÑOS

During this day, we’ll have a city tour around Baños. We’ll go to Pailon del Diablo waterfalls and spend the night in a hotel.

DAY 9

WHYMPER REFUGE - CHIMBORAZO HIGH CAMP • 16,564' | 5,500M

A travel drive takes us to the Carrel Hut where we grab our packs and gear and begin a two and a half hour walk to our high camp, Stübel Camp. Once at high camp we spend time preparing for our summit attempt.

DAY 9

WHYMPER REFUGE - CHIMBORAZO HIGH CAMP • 16,564' | 5,500M

DAY 10

SUMMIT DAY CHIMBORAZO (20,703' | 6,310M) • 13,123' | 4,000M

With an early alpine start for the summit, our route climbs towards the west-northwest to reach the base of a rock formation called "El Castillo" (The Castle). The route continues along the western ridge until we reach the Veintimilla summit. With the technical challenges behind us, we continue to the main summit. After enjoying the views, we begin our descent to high camp. then descent to the parking lot and return to Quito.

DAY 10

SUMMIT DAY CHIMBORAZO (20,703' | 6,310M) • 13,123' | 4,000M

DAY 11

CONTINGENCY DAY

This extra day is scheduled into the itinerary in case we encounter poor weather or need an additional day on Cotopaxi. Return to Quito. Overnight Mercure Grand Hotel Alameda.

DAY 11

CONTINGENCY DAY

This extra day is scheduled into the itinerary in case we encounter poor weather or need an additional day on Cotopaxi. Return to Quito. Overnight Mercure Grand Hotel Alameda.

Included in the Tour

If you have questions, or want to modify the itinerary, or need more information. Please contact us.

NOT Included in the Tour

If you have questions, or want to modify the itinerary, or need more information. Please contact us.

Climbing to Chimborazo and Cotopaxi

Aunque las subidas no son técnicamente difíciles, será una aventura físicamente exigente. Por este motivo, es obligatorio tener una muy buena condición física.

Difficulty: PD

Duration: 11 days

Season: October to March

ITINERARY

DAY 1

TRAVEL DAY • 9,350' | 2,800M

Upon your arrival in Quito, a taxi ride takes you to our hotel. Overnight at hotel in Quito.

DAY 1

TRAVEL DAY • 9,350' | 2,800M

Upon your arrival in Quito, a taxi ride takes you to our hotel. Overnight at hotel in Quito.

DAY 2

EXPLORE QUITO • 9,350' | 2,800M

DAY 2

EXPLORE QUITO • 9,350' | 2,800M

DAY 3

ACCLIMATIZE RUCU PICHINCHA (15,696' | 4,784M) • 9,350' | 2,800M

DAY 3

ACCLIMATIZE RUCU PICHINCHA (15,696' | 4,784M) • 9,350' | 2,800M

DAY 4

NUEVOS HORTIZANTES REFUGIO • 15,100' | 4,600M

DAY 4

NUEVOS HORTIZANTES REFUGIO • 15,100' | 4,600M

DAY 5

SUMMIT DAY ILLINIZA NORTE (16,818' | 5,126M) • 15,100' | 4,600M

DAY 5

SUMMIT DAY ILLINIZA NORTE (16,818' | 5,126M) • 15,100' | 4,600M

DAY 6

COTOPAXI REFUGE

DAY 6

COTOPAXI REFUGE

DAY 7

COTOPAXI SUMMIT

DAY 7

COTOPAXI SUMMIT

DAY 8

BAÑOS

During this day, we’ll have a city tour around Baños. We’ll go to Pailon del Diablo waterfalls and spend the night in a hotel.

DAY 8

BAÑOS

During this day, we’ll have a city tour around Baños. We’ll go to Pailon del Diablo waterfalls and spend the night in a hotel.

DAY 9

WHYMPER REFUGE - CHIMBORAZO HIGH CAMP • 16,564' | 5,500M

DAY 9

WHYMPER REFUGE - CHIMBORAZO HIGH CAMP • 16,564' | 5,500M

DAY 10

SUMMIT DAY CHIMBORAZO (20,703' | 6,310M) • 13,123' | 4,000M

DAY 10

SUMMIT DAY CHIMBORAZO (20,703' | 6,310M) • 13,123' | 4,000M

DAY 11

CONTINGENCY DAY

This extra day is scheduled into the itinerary in case we encounter poor weather or need an additional day on Cotopaxi. Return to Quito. Overnight Mercure Grand Hotel Alameda.

DAY 11

CONTINGENCY DAY

This extra day is scheduled into the itinerary in case we encounter poor weather or need an additional day on Cotopaxi. Return to Quito. Overnight Mercure Grand Hotel Alameda.

Included in the Tour

If you have questions, or want to modify the itinerary, or need more information. Please contact us.

NOT Included in the Tour

If you have questions, or want to modify the itinerary, or need more information. Please contact us.

Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes

Max Altitude:

Tour Distance:

Difficulty

Tour Season

Online Booking

Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes

Trip Details

ITINERARY

Included in the Tour

NOT Included in the Tour

ITINERARY

Included in the Tour

NOT Included in the Tour

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