COTOPAXI & CHIMBORAZO

Day 1: Arrive Quito (2850m/9,350ft).

Airport pick-up and transfer to Hotel Quito. Overnight at Hotel Quito. [no meals included]

Day 2: Acclimatization hike to Pasochoa volcano (4200m/13,779ft) – El Chaupi.

We’ll leave from Quito early in the morning and will drive southeast for about 1,5 hours through the Andean highlands until getting to the trail head (3500m/17,388ft). As we gain elevation, we’ll be able to see the surrounding snow-capped mountains, such as Antisana, Cayambe, Illiniza, Cotopaxi and even Chimborazo far away to the south in clear days. Once nearing the summit, will be hiking by the ridge of the deep forest-covered caldera which takes us to the true summit soon after. It will take us about 5 hours round trip. 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 will spend the following nights in a nice Mountain Lodge. [B/BL/D]

Day 3: Climb Corazon (4790m/15,715ft) – El Chaupi.

“El Corazon” is another eroded and extinct volcano located about 40 km southwest of Quito. The name Corazon means “heart” in Spanish and is said to refer to the 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 3800m/ 12,467ft to small valley where we start the hike to the summit. It is quite an arduous walk and normally takes 5 hours up and 2-3 hours 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 Lodge in El Chaupi. [B/BL/D]

Day 4: Transfer to “La Virgen”, Hike to the “Nuevos Horizontes” Refuge (4750m/15,580ft).

After a relaxed breakfast, we will drive towards the base of Ilinizas and we will stop on a place named “La Virgen” located at 3900m/12,792ft. When we arrive, there will be waiting horses for carrying our gear up to the refuge. Once there, we’ll start a 3-hour hike up to the “Nuevos Horizontes Refuge”, where we will relax the rest of the afternoon. Dinner will be served by late afternoon. Overnight in the hut. [B/BL/D]

Day 5: Climb Iliniza Norte (5126m/16,813ft) – El Chaupi.

Our climbing day starts at 05:00 AM. 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 (5126m/16,818ft) soon after. The approach to the top involves an easy 3 hours of scrambling. Once at the summit, we will enjoy and admire the beautiful surroundings. We ascend for about 3 hours to La Virgen parking lot and drive back to the same mountain lodge in El Chaupi. Once again, horses will be waiting to bring our gear down to the parking lot. [B/BL/D]

Day 6: Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park, hike to the Jose Ribas Refuge (4800m/15,748ft).

We will leave from the Lodge in the morning and drive to the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. There we will have lunch and registration. From there we’ll drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (4500m/14,764 ft) and then hike up for another hour to the Jose Ribas Refuge (4800m/15,748ft). Once at the refuge, we will store our belongings and rest in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in the hut. [B/L/D]

Day 7: Cotopaxi summit (5897m/19,347ft) – Transfer to Chugchilan (3200m/10,498ft).

Midnight will be our wake-up time, and our departure to the top (5897m/19,347ft) will be shortly after. Before our ascent, we will have a hot drink and get our gear ready for the ascent, which will take us about 6 to 8 hours. Each climber will get a box lunch for the climb. Once at the summit we’ll take our time to take pictures of the crater and surroundings, and then we’ll head down back the refuge (3 to 4 hours). Once at the refuge we will pack our belongings, have something to eat and drink and go back to the parking lot where our transportation will be ready to take us to Chugchilan, close to Quilotoa Lake. In the evening, we will celebrate the success of our climb. Overnight: Mountain Lodge Mama Hilda. [B/BL/D]

Day 8: Visit Quilotoa Lake (3814m/12,513ft) – Transfer to Banios (1900m/6,233ft).

Free day to recover and enjoy the atmosphere of the Ecuadorian countryside. Quilotoa is a 3 km/1.9-mile-wide water-filled caldera and has accumulated a 250m/820ft deep crater lake. After visiting the Crater Lake, we will drive about 3 hours to the south, the subtropical town of Banios. Overnight: Hotel in Banios. [B]

Day 9: Free day in Banios.

Enjoy “Banios de Agua Santa” and its charming atmosphere. On this day, we have the option to take an excursion to the waterfalls. There are many options, activities and lots of fun! Free afternoon. Overnight: Hotel in Banios. [B]

Day 10: Banios – Refuge Carrel (4800m/15,748ft) – High Camp on Chimborazo (5300m/17,388ft).

From Banios we drive about 3 hours 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 and there we will start marching to the high camp at 5300m/17,388ft. In the high camp we will expect the complete logistics with tents, kitchen etc. We need about 3 hours. Early dinner and rest. [B/BL/D]

Day 11: Chimborazo summit (6263m/20,549ft) – Quito

We will get up before midnight to begin our ascent on Chimborazo. After 8 hours, we will reach the first summit named Veintimilla and then to Chimborazo’s high summit called Whymper (6263m/20,549ft). Around noon we will have completed our descent back to the refuge where our transport will be waiting to drive us back to Quito. Total walking time between 10 to 14 hours. Overnight at Hotel Quito. [B/BL]

Day 12: Depart Quito. Transfer to the airport and flight back home. [B]