Adventure travel to Ecuador includes visiting the high peaks of the Cordillera de los Andes. Many of Ecuador’s volcanoes are capped with glaciers, offering beautiful scenery and interesting climbing objectives for mountain lovers. Our trips to these peaks take climbers to the world’s highest active volcano (Cotopaxi at 5,897 m / 19,347 ft) to appreciate the magnificent, huge summit cone. Other peaks include Chimborazo (6,310 m / 20,702 ft) and Cayambe (5,790 m / 18,996 ft).
Cotopaxi
Our itineraries, ideal for modern adventurers and mountaineers, include a 14-Day Six Ecuadorian Peaks trip and an 11-Day Four Ecuadorian Peaks trip. If your goal is to trek and climb in these majestic mountains, it is worthwhile to summit and trek on several peaks. Both trips start with the relatively low altitude summit of Fuya-Fuya (4,294 m / 14,088 ft), allowing climbers to acclimatize for the higher altitudes that await them.
Our trips include a day with a practical snow and ice technique course on the Cayambe glacier. The course covers ice axe and crampon work as well as progression in snowfields, rope handling, belay in snow, and self-arrest technique. This practical training insures the safety of the group and prepares climbers for their summit attempts on Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.
While traveling through the high country of Ecuador, trekkers will be able to visit the Old City of Quito and discover the charming little thermal town of Baños.
Those interested in a trip including Ecuadorian Volcanoes and the Galapagos should consider joining guide, mountaineer, and adventure racer Marshall Ulrich on his trip scheduled for January 7-24, 2011. Visit his website, marshallulrich.com, to learn more about his trip or to sign up.