Cotopaxi & Chimborazo
(08 Days)

o8 Days/07 Nigths
Max. Altitude: 6268 m / 20,564 ft
Route: Ruco pichincha 4696 m / 15,406 ft, Cotopaxi 5897 m / 19,347 ft, Chimborazo: 6268 m / 20,564 ft
Availability: December - January
Difficulty: Moderate
People per Guide: 2

Enjoy this challenging trip through the Ecuadorian Andes. During the acclimatization hikes/ascents you will be amazed by its diversity, beauty and cultural excellence.

Cotopaxi is an active Volcano in the Andes Mountains, located about 50 km south of Quito. It is the second highest summit in Ecuador, reaching a height of 5897 m, it is one of the world’s highest volcanos. The last eruption lasted from August 2015 to January 2016. Cotopaxi had been officially closed for climbing by authorities until it reopened on October 7, 2017.

The Chimborazo, 6268 m, like so many mountains on earth, is affected by global warming and the glacier melts slowly. Thus, the conditions for an ascent constantly change. The normal route has become much more difficult and dangerous because of rock falls. For that reason we only offer the safer route Gualgualla with High Camp in 5300 m.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Quito 2800 m / 9,186 ft
Orientation meeting in your hotel in the morning to review your itinerary, answer questions, and finalize logistical details of the trip. Overnight Hotel (-/-/-)

Day 02: Rucu Pichincha 4696 m / 15,406 ft (Aclimatization day)
This day we left at 8 am in the Quito Cable Car we reached Cruz Loma at a height of 4,100 m. There we enjoy breathtaking views of the nearby volcanoes. In Cruz Loma the hike also begins to the top of Rucu Pichincha. The tour is not technically difficult and takes about 3 hours to the summit. Overnight Hotel (B/-/-)

Day 03: Quito - Refuge Jose Ribas 4850 m/ 15,912 ft
We meet in the morning, where we will check the equipment for the ascent. Departure to the south, after a good hour's drive we have lunch and then drive to the entrance of the Cotopaxi National Park. After registration, we have a scenic drive to the parking lot at 4,600m/15,091ft ahead. From there we hike for 45 minutes. to the mountain hut Jose Ribas. This retreat is on the north side of Cotopaxi. In the afternoon we recover and prepare our equipment for the nightly ascent. Later we will have great pictures of the sunset. We have an early supper and go to bed before boarding one of the most colorful mountains in Ecuador. Overnight Refuge (B/L/D)

Day 04: Refuge - Summit Cotopaxi 5897 m/ 19,347 ft - Quito
We leave at about midnight. We hike for about an hour through scree slopes to the glacier. We follow a few steeper sections (45 degrees) until after 4 hours we reach the Yanasacha wall (5.700m/18,700ft). From there we go about 2 hours to the summit. At the summit, we admire the crater and further to the south the impressive volcanoes, including Chimborazo. After enjoying the view, we descend to the refuge and the car park, where we return to Quito. Total, walking time: 9-11 hours Overnight Hotel (B/BL/-)

Day 05: Rest day
This day will be our rest in the city of Quito. Overnight Hotel (-/-/-)

Day 06: Rest day
This day will be our rest in the city of Quito. Overnight Hotel (-/-/-)

Day 07: Quito – Refuge Carrel 4800 m/15,748 ft – High Camp on Chimborazo 5300 m / 17,388 ft
From Quito we drive south, past the cities of Latacunga and Ambato and always along the famous “Avenue of Volcanoes”. Through picturesque fields and bizarre gorges, the road winds to the plateau on the slopes of Chimborazo. We see llamas, vicunas and alpacas. We drive to the Carrel Hut (4800m/15,748ft) and there we will start our ascent to the high camp at 5300 m/17,388ft. We need about 3 hours. Early dinner and rest. Overnight Hotel (-/BL/D).

Day 08: High Camp - Summit Chimborazo 6268 m / 20,564 ft
We will get up before midnight to ascend the Chimborazo and after 8 hours we will reach first to the summit Veintimilla (6270m/20,570ft) and then to the maximum summit Whymper (6310m/20,702ft). At about noon we will be back in the refuge, where we will rest a little before returning to Quito. Walking time between 10 to 14 hours. End of the expedition Overnight Hotel (B/BL/-).

What’s included

• 02 nights Hotel in Quito (first 2 days of the program)
• Aclimatization day (Guide and transport)
• Private transport during the tour (4x4)
• Certified English Speaking Mountain Guide (UIAGM - AGMP)
• additional Mountain Guides (ratio 1:2)
• Meals as listed in the program (B = breakfast, BL = box lunch, L = lunch, D = dinner)
• Night at the refuge Jose Ribas
• Night at the high camp Chimborazo
• Entrance fees and permits in the national park
• 24/7 help and support
• Entrance fee and permit
• Safety and fun as first priority

• Transfer Airport / Hote / Airport
• Hotel in Quito
• Personal equipment (helmet, harness, crampons, ice axe, sleeping bag, boots…etc.)
• Travel insurance of any kind (¡¡WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!)
• Porters
• Extra drinks
• Meals not mentioned in the program
• Tips

WHAT TO TAKE:

• 50-liter backpack and small day pack
• plastic or leather boots
• crampons
• harness
• Ice-axe
• Gore-Tex jacket, pants and gloves
• inside polar gloves
• gaiters
• inflatable mattress (only for Chimborazo)
• sunglasses with 100% UV protection against strong Equatorial sunlight
• headlamp and batteries
• helmet
• warm or thermic clothing
• thermos and drinking bottle
• sleeping bag (minus 5 degrees Celsius) – For Chimborazo minus 10 degrees Celsius!!
• wool hat, buff and face mask
• sun cream and lipstick
• personal medicine, Etc