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Ecuador Treks

Six Ecuadorian Peaks in 14 Days

On this page: Overview | Itinerary | Pricing

Overview

This program is directed specifically to mountain lovers. This trip is relatively physically demanding so adequate fitness is a must. Trekking and ascents are linked to assure a perfect acclimatization to the altitude and increase your physical resistance. The itinerary also includes several days of rest and recovery which will allow you to discover 4 of the most famous tourist attractions and points of interest in Ecuador: the old colonial city of Quito, the equatorial line, the famous Indian market of Otavalo, and the charming thermal city of Baños. An Ecuadorian bilingual mountain guide assures the success of the trip. During the ascents of Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, if the group is of more than 2 persons, you will have extra mountain guides to help the group (one guide for two clients).

If you do not have glacier experience, you can spend days 6 and 7 at a glacier mountain school to gain the skills you will need to summit the higher peaks.

Chimborazo summit (6310m / 20,702 ft)

 Itinerary

DAY 1: Quito city > Mitad del Mundo > Otavalo (2700 m / 8,860 ft)

Meet with your guide at your hotel at 08:00 A.M. and depart to visit of the old city of Quito, the best conserved colonial town of South America. The fabulously rich decorated churches, the museums, the squares and the numerous colonial buildings earn this site the title: "Cultural Heritage of Humanity”. Lunch in town and transfer to “ la Mitad del Mundo” (the Middle of the World), the site that marks the equatorial line and located 22 Km (13,7 miles) north of Quito. Visit to the small ethnographic museum and we continue driving north for about one and a half hours to the small Otavalo Indian town.

DAY 2: Trek Cuicocha Lake (3400 m / 11,155 ft) > Otavalo

Transfer by vehicle to the beautiful Cuicocha lagoon (3000 m / 9,845 ft), an old volcanic crater transformed by nature into a lake. Acclimatization walk of 3 to 4 hours around the crater and at the foot of the Cotacachi volcano (11,155 ft approx.). Box lunch. Return to Otavalo at the end of the afternoon.

DAY 3: Fuya-Fuya summit (4294 m / 14,087 ft) > La Esperanza

Depart this time to go up to the Mojanda lagoons (3800 m / 12,470 ft). Hiking and easy climb of the Cerro “Fuya-Fuya” (4,294 m / 14,087 ft). This ascent demands only 2 to 3 hours to reach the summit. Box lunch, back to the vehicle and down again to the valley for a short transfer to the small village of La Esperanza.

DAY 4: Imbabura volcano (4621 m / 15,160 ft)

Early morning departure by vehicle to reach the trailhead (15 min.) then climbing the Imbabura volcano. Hike between 3400 m (11,150 ft) and 4200 m (13,780 ft). Beautiful views on the Otavalo area of Yahuarcocha lake. Depending on the physical condition of the group it is possible to get to the Taita Imbabura summit (4621 m / 15,160 ft). This ascent does not involve any technical sections but it demands a steadfast physical effort of at least 6 hours to reach the summit. Box lunch. Back to the hostel in La Esperanza.

DAY 5: Otavalo market – Cayambe Refuge (4600 m / 15,092 ft)

At dawn, visit to the Otavalo Indian market, the most famous and colorful Indian market in Ecuador. Transfer to the Cayambe refuge (4600 m / 15.092ft).

DAY 6: Refuge and Cayambe glacier

Walk out to the glacier at about 4800m (15,750 ft) to start a practical snow and ice technique course: ice axe and crampon work: first techniques. Progression in snowfields, rope handling, self-arrest. Ice axe and crampon work in ice fields: different progression techniques from 40 to 80º, knots. Picnic lunch. Back to the refuge at the end of the afternoon.

Alternatively, days 6 and 7 can be spent at a mountain glacier school.

DAY 7: Cayambe summit (optional, 5790 m / 18,996 ft ) > Quito

Breakfast then we leave the refuge to go back to the capital. On our way back, stop at Cochasqui to visit the ruins and pyramids of an old "Caras-Quitus" Indian refuge.

Note : Depending on the physical condition and technical level of the group it is possible to attempt the Cayambe summit this day (5790m/18.996ft). Departure from the refuge at 1:00am in the morning. Back to the refuge at 10-11am. This summit is fairly technical and the guide in charge of the group is the only judge about making the decision to attempt or not-attempt the summit.

DAY 8: Quito > El Chaupi > La Virgen

Departure for the cable railway ascent of Cruz Loma at 4050 m of altitude for an unforgettable view of the capital; as well as the highest Ecuadorian summits. An imposing sight. Descend by the same way and turn southward, following the famous "Volcanoes Valley" to reach the small village of El Chaupi located at the foot of the twin summits of Illinizas: Norte and Sur (North and South), where we set up in a rural, but comfortable refuge.

Illinzas

DAY 9: Illinizas Norte summit (5116 m / 16,785 ft) > El Chasqui

Early in the morning we leave the refuge by vehicle to the place known as “La Virgen” (3900 m / 12,795 ft). From there 2 or 3 hours of walking will take us to the pass between the two summits. And from there 2 more hours to the north peak of the Illinizas (5116 m / 16,785 ft). This route does not present too much difficulty; sometimes you just need “to use your hands." Back to “La Virgen” and we go down by vehicle back to El Chaupi and the Pan-American highway till El Chasqui. There we will set up in a nice and charming mountain hostel.

DAY 10: El Chasqui > Cotopaxi Refuge

We leave for the Cotopaxi National Park. We will go by vehicle on a dusty road that ends 200 m below the Cotopaxi refuge (4600 m / 15.092 ft). Packing up our equipment and food we'll backpack up to the refuge: about 45 minutes walk on a cinder path to reach the refuge (200 m / 656 ft of slope). Night at the refuge (4800 m / 15748ft).

DAY 11: Cotopaxi summit (5897m / 19,347 ft) > Baños

Wake up at midnight and depart from the refuge at 1:00 A.M. to climb the world’s highest active volcano (5897 m / 19,347 ft). This is an almost all glacier ascent, but without major difficulties. Crevasses are few and well marked. Only the presence of fresh snow or strong winds can make this ascent a difficult one. It will take you around 6 to 7 hours to appreciate the magnificent huge summit cone. Back to the refuge around 10:00 AM. Light lunch, down to the parking lot and down back to the valley to continue south to Baños, a charming little thermal town (1800 m / 5900 ft) located at the food of the active Tungurahua volcano and well known for its hot springs.

Cotopaxi

DAY 12: Baños

Rest and tourist day in this charming little thermal town well known for its hot springs. Multiple activities are available: hot springs, horse back riding, mountain biking, hikes in the mountains surrounding Baños, or a visit to beautiful waterfalls evocative of the nearby Amazon jungle. Lunch and dinner in town.

DAY 13: Baños > Chimborazo refuge

We leave Baños by vehicle and reach the first Chimborazo refuge (4800 m / 15,748 ft) after about two and a half hours ride. From there on, 45 minutes to 1 hour walk with your equipment to the Edward Whimper refuge (5000 m / 16,404 feet).  If weather conditions permit, we will have a look at the ascent route (~1 hour).

DAY 14: Chimborazo summit (6310m / 20,702 ft) > Quito

Wake up at 11:00pm and depart from the refuge at midnight. The itinerary, following the seasons, the conditions of snow coverage or the state of the ice, may present important technical or security problems; in every case, this is an endurance route, so very good physical condition and acclimatization are essential. The difficulties are mainly the altitude and the height difference (1300 m / 4,265 ft.). Anywhere from 8 to 9 hours are necessary to reach Ecuador’s highest summit. Back to the refuge and then we leave to go back to Quito (about four hours ride). Lunch on our way back. Farewell dinner in town and night at the hotel.

Chimborazo

**IMPORTANT**
The itinerary described above may at any time be modified for safety reasons or unexpected events. Any travel that leaves the beaten paths may have to face unforeseen events (strike, cut road, local festival, etc.), or adverse weather. Your capacity of adaptation to the local conditions (transport, food, lodgings, climatic hazards), as with unexpected events will be also a key for the success of your journey.                                                             

Pricing

2010 Pricing:

# People in Group: 1 2 3-4 5 6+ Single Supplement
Price per Person: $4690 $2690 $2315 $2090 $1870 $50

This price includes:

All the necessary transportation, lodging at standard hotels (double room), overnight at the mountain refuges, all the meals from Quito to Quito, all the programmed excursions and visits, all the entrance fees (museums, churches, reserves, national parks), a general first aid kit, radios 2M, ropes, crampons, ice axes, harness, a Spanish-English licensed high mountain guide from Quito to Quito, a high mountain guide team (1 guide/2 people).

*Groups of more than 6 people will have 1 extra mountain guide during the mountain school at the Cayambe glacier and for the Illinizas summit climbing.

This price does not include:

Backpack, sleeping bag, mountain shoes, optional activities, tips for guides and staff, drinks and bottled water, transfers airport/hotel/airport, international flights, airport taxes, and any personal expenses.