DAY 1 - Pasochoa 4200m /13860 ft.- This is our first acclimatization hike where hydration and pacing ourselves slow and steady through altitude will be the main key to help our bodies acclimatize. This day hike begins after our filling breakfast and a 1h30 min drive will take us to 3100 m/ 10300 ft , where our head trail begins . The 4 hour round trip hike takes place along the back side of an ancient extinct volcano located in the central range of the Ecuadorean Andes along farmlands, cultivated fields, and paramo grasslands. The rim leading us to the highest point offers amazing views of the endemic forest inside the crater. Night at country style hostal in the valley of the Ilinizas Twin Peaks. ( BL ) DAY 2 - Corazon- 4800 m /15800 ft. Our day starts with an interesting drive towards the west of the Andean Range passing through the village of Chaupi until we reach an altitude of 3500 m / 11500 ft where our 4/5 hike takes place through through amazing scenery follow the south west ridge towards the summit, offering great views of the collapsed crater and cloudforest of the coastal lowlands. Our descent will be along the same trail where our support vehicle will take us back to the valley to relax and rest . ( B ) ( BL ) (D)
DAY 3 - Iliniza North 5126m / 16900ft - After breakfast we will drive for approx ½ hours will take us to the base of these twin mountains known as La Virgen at 3900m / 12900 where we will be met by our porters and horses to take our climbing gear and food supply to the refuge at 4600m /15200ft making our 3 hour hike more enjoyable passing by paramo highlands and sandy volcanic terrain. We will rest and continue hydrating to acclimate being this our first night at high altitude. (B) ( BL ) ( D )
DAY 4 - Ilinizas Summit – The climb begins at 5 am starting our ascent through this rocky mountain where we follow a ridge for about 2/3hours. This climb doesn’t involve any technical skills under normal conditions, although our guides will have the necessary equipment in case the mountain conditions change especially traversing to the North face of the peak , on this approach depending on the time of year only basic scrambling skills is necessary to achieve the summit safely. This peak offers stunning views of all the major summits of the Avenue of the Volcanoes , our three hour descent back to the vehicle , that will take us back to Quito . ( B ) ( L) DAY 5 - Otavalo market - Our rest day begins with a short drive to the North , where we will visit Otavalo, the oldest indigenous market in South America. Here we will put in practice our bargaining skills while enjoying our rest day and purchase souvenirs like tapestry , handicrafts and other good deals interacting with local culture being a trade market which dates from 1500 years ago. The Otavalo culture are famous all around the world for their folk music ,weaving and trading products from other regions . Nice relaxing evening in Quito.
Day 6 - -Cotopaxi Climb 5897m / 19400ft - Our day begins with a one hour drive to the car park located at 4500m/ 14800ft from here we will hike for approx an hour to the refuge following an easy switchback trail that will take us to the refuge at 4800m / 15800 ft After lunch we will relax and hydrate during the afternoon we will have glacier practices to review some climbing techniques, prepare the climbing gear and have an early dinner so we can rest as much as possible before our early wake up call. ( BL ) ( D )
DAY 7 - Cotopaxi - Quito- After our midnight wake up call our climb begins along a 30 degree slope on rock and volcanic ash before the entrance of the glacier where our 5/6 hour climb begins a straight forward 40 degree ascent where our physical conditions will be the key for our summit. Followed by a rewarding sunrise below the impressive crater along the 45/50 degree summit ridge, that will lead us to the top of one of the most perfect cone shaped active volcanoes in the world. Our 2/3 hour descent will take us back to the hut, after a short rest we pack our gear and meet our vehicle that will drive us back to Quito for last minute arrangements before departure. Group meets for a great farewell dinner. (B) (BL)
PRICE INCLUDES:
Airport Transfers
Hotels based on double occupancy, mountain refuges and huts.
Meals on the mountains , hikes and climbs. as described in the itinerary.
( B ) – breakfast ( BL ) - boxlunch ( D ) dinner
Certified bilingual Mountain Guide ASEGUIM (Ecuadorean Association of Mountain
Guides) .
Glacier climbing ratio: 2 climbers / 1 guide
Climbing permits
Entrance fees to all the mountains.
Porters, mules and cooks.
Group technical climbing equipment.
PRICE NOT INCLUDES:
International flights and travel insurance
Personal climbing gear ( check climbing list)
Meals in hotels and rest days.
Money transfer fees if applicable.
7 DAY EXPEDITION:
Price for 1 Climber: US $ 1450 Price for 2 Climbers or more : US $ 850
Extra fee for private accommodations : US $ 60
PAYMENTS
DEPOSIT US $ 300 with registration form . Includes a $ 200 non refundable registration fee. BALANCE due 90 days before climbing trip departures.
Regular climbing departure dates, special group prices and customized expeditions available, please contact us for more information
To customize your private trip or join a climbing expedition please CONTACT US at
