CHIMBORAZO

Day 1: Arrive Quito (2850m/9,350ft), transfer to the hotel.

Airport pick-up and transfer to the hotel in the center of Quito. Overnight at Hotel Quito. (No meals included)

Day 2: Acclimatization hike on Pasochoa (4200m/13,779ft) – El Chaupi (3336m/10,945ft)

Pasochoa is an ancient and heavily eroded volcano that has been inactive since the last ice age. If the weather permits, from the summit, we will be able to take a good look at the crater.
Early in the morning we will leave Quito, driving south for 1:30 hours until the base of Pasochoa peak. This is an easy, small and beautiful extinct volcano. Once we get to the trail head we will start our hike up to the summit (13776ft/4200m) from where we will have a great view of all the mountains around including Cotopaxi and Ilinizas. Back at the car we will drive to the small village of El Chaupi which is located near to the foothills of Ilinizas. Here we spend the following two nights in a nice Mountain Lodge. (B/BL/D)

Day 3: Acclimatization hike El Corazon 4790m/15,715ft – El Chaupi (3336m/10,945ft)

Corazon is another eroded and extinct volcano located about 40 km south west of Quito. The name Corazon means “heart” in Spanish and is said to refer to two gullies on the north west slopes which, when seen from the distance, appear to join together in the shape of a heart. It is a good second acclimatization hike after Pasochoa and before the Ilinizas. We drive up to 4.000 m/13,120 ft to a small valley from where we start the hike to the summit.
It is quite an arduous walk and normally takes 4-5 hours up and about 2 1/2 hour down.
On a clear day you have a beautiful view of the so-called “Avenue of the Volcanoes”, including Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Cayambe, Ilinizas and Antisana. Drive back to the same Mountain Lodge. (B/BL/D)

Day 4: Hike to Iliniza Hut 4750m/15,580ft

Iliniza North and South are located about 55 km South West of Quito. Originally, they were one volcano, which exploded and split in half a very long time ago! The two peaks are separated by a saddle. Their distance is about 2 km. Iliniza South is icy and therefore difficult. Iliniza North is rocky and a lot easier. 50 years ago, Iliniza North had a glacier, but it has completely melted in the last few decades.
After a relaxed breakfast we will drive towards the base of Ilinizas and we will stop on a place named “La Virgen” located at 12792ft/3900 m. From there we will hike up for 3 hours to the mountain refuge “Nuevos Horizontes” (4750m/15,580ft). Horses will help to carry our gear up to the refuge. Here we spend the first night at high altitude. (B/BL/D).

Day 5: Summit climb Iliniza Norte 5126m/16,813ft – El Chaupi (3336m/10,945ft)

Our climbing day starts at 5h00. We will have a light breakfast, pack our climbing equipment and leave the refuge an hour later. We will continue hiking up towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then to Iliniza Norte summit (16,818ft/5.126m) soon after. The approaching to the top involves an easy 3 hour scrambling. Once at the summit we will enjoy and admire the beautiful surroundings. We go down directly to the parking lot La Virgen and drive back to the same Mountain Lodge in El Chaupi. Horses will bring our stuff down to the parking lot. (B/BL/D)

Day 6: Drive to Chimborazo area, short hike to Whymper Hut (5000m/16,400ft)

After breakfast we will take a nice drive through the step fields that the Indian communities maintain on the base of the Chimborazo. After 3 hours’ drive, we will arrive at the Mountain Lodge “Chakana” at 3900m12,792ft, where we will stay this night. In the afternoon we will drive up to Carrel Hut at 4800m/15,748ft and make a 45 minutes hike to Whymper Hut at 5000m/16,400ft. Back to the parking lot we return to the Mountain Lodge Chakana where we will have dinner and overnight. (B/D)

Day 7: Hike to High Camp on Chimborazo (5300m/17,388ft)

Late morning, we drive again up to the Carrel Hut where we start today our hike up to the High Camp at 5300m/17,388ft. It takes us about three hours to walk to the high camp where we spend the afternoon preparing for the climb at night. You will be involved carrying your own equipment to the camp. Overnight in domes. (B/BL/D)

Day 8: Summit climb Chimborazo 6263m/20,549ft – Quito

We start the climb at about midnight following the western ridge until it joins the Castle Saddle (5500m/18.044ft). This new variant to the normal Castle Ridge route, free from rock fall, makes it a much safer line to the top. From the high camp it normally takes six hours to get to the Whymper summit, from where you will enjoy one of the most impressive views in Ecuador. The descent to the Camp takes 3 hours. After returning to the camp, we´ll have some rest, drinks, pack, descent to Carrel Hut and drive about 4 hours back to Quito. (B/BL)

Day 9: Transfer to the airport and flight back (B)