THE 3 HIGHEST PEAKS OF ECUADOR

Day 1:  Arrival to Quito (2.800 m/9,184 ft).
Airport pick up and drive to the centre of Quito, overnight at Hotel Quito (no meals included)

Day 2: Quito – Market Otavalo – Hike around Cuicocha Lake (3500m/9,842ft)
We leave Quito in the morning and after two hours we will reach Otavalo. We visit the most famous and largest Indigenous handicraft fair in South America, the market at Otavalo. Otavaleños are most famous for their weavings such as tapestries, sweaters, blankets, ponchos and other woolen goods. You will also find paintings, ceramics and jewelry.
After that we will drive to the Reserve Cotacachi – Cayapas for our acclimatization hike (4-5 hours) around the Crater Lake Cuicocha on the flanks of Cotacachi volcano. Overnight at the nice Hacienda Pinsaqui close to Otavalo. (B/BL/D)

Day 3: Volcano Fuya Fuya (4263 m/13,986 ft) – Otavalo
First acclimatization peak on Fuya Fuya. This extinct volcano is climbed from the inside of the Mojanda crater and is a very comfortable climb (4-5 hours). Return to the same Hacienda. Overnight at Hacienda Pinsaqui. (B/BL/D)

Day 4: Hike to Imbabura volcano (4.630 m/15,190ft) – Otavalo
A large hill with a long walk up, Imbabura is excellent for acclimatization and fitness. This extinct volcano rises above Lake San Pablo but the easiest and most convenient route stands on the other side.
Leaving early Hacienda Pinsaqui is mandatory for its five hours ascent. We will follow an old path straight up on the ridge until we find a non-complicated scramble just before the summit ridge. The descent is exactly on the same path. After we will return to our previous accommodation close to Otavalo. Easy to moderate physical strength for approximately 6 to 8 hours. (B/BL/D)

Day 5: Transfer to Cayambe Refuge (15,188 ft/4.600 m), glacier training
After breakfast we drive about 1 hours to the Cayambe volcano hut. On this day we organize our equipment and get ready for glacier training. We practice the necessary techniques we need for ascension. We brush up on glacier walking, crampons and ice ax techniques. We go back to the hut to relax. Early dinner and rest. Overnight stay in the mountain hut. (B/BL/D).

Day 6: Easy day, small hike, preparation for the night climb
We have a leisurely breakfast and have a relaxing day in order to have strength for the climb at night. We take an easy hike and return to the hut. We go back to the hut to relax and prepare our climbing equipment for our summit attempt. Early dinner and rest. Overnight stay in the mountain hut. (B/L/D)

Day 7: Cayambe summit day (18,993ft/5.789 m) – Return to Quito
At midnight we will get up to prepare ourselves for the summit. The departure to the top (18,996ft/5.790m) will be around 01h00. Each climber will get a box lunch for the climb. The ascent will take us around 7 hours up of steady pace-climb on snowfields crossed by a few crevasses that are easy to deal with. Once at the summit we’ll take our time to take pictures of the crater and surroundings, and then we’ll head down back to the refuge (3 to 4 hours). Drive back to Quito and overnight at Hotel Quito. (B/BL)

Day 8: Rest day in Quito
We will enjoy our free day in Quito. If you desire, we can organize you a guided city tour and the visit to “The Middle of the World”. Overnight at Hotel Quito (B)

Day 9: Visit of the Crater Lake Quilotoa (3814m/12,513ft)
Drive about 3 hours to the beautiful Crater Lake Quilotoa where we will enjoy the atmosphere of the Ecuadorian countryside. Overnight at the nice Mountain Lodge Mama Hilda, 30 minutes from Quilotoa (3200m/10,498ft). (B/D)

Day 10: Refuge Jose Ribas 4800m/15,748ft
Drive to the south entrance of the Cotopaxi National Park where we will have lunch. After registration, we have a scenic drive to the parking lot at 4.600m/15,091ft ahead. From there we hike for 1 hour 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 dinner and go to bed before boarding one of the most colorful mountains in Ecuador. (B/L/D)

Day 11: Cotopaxi Summit Climb (5897m/19,347ft)
About midnight we start our summit climb to Cotopaxi, which will take us about 7 to 9 hours. Once at the summit we’ll take our time to take pictures of the crater and beautiful surroundings, and then we’ll head down back to the parking lot (4 to 5 hours). We drive to Tambopaxi Lodge where we will rest in the afternoon. In the evening we will celebrate the success of our climb. Overnight at Tambopaxi Lodge. (B/BL/D)

Day 12: Rest Day – Travel to Banios
After breakfast we start our travel to the nice subtropical town of Banios, free afternoon. Overnight at hotel La Floresta. (B)

Day 13: Rest Day – Waterfall Tour in Baños
Enjoy “Baños 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 where you can enjoy the hot springs in Banios. Overnight: Hotel La Floresta. (B)

Day 14: Drive to Carrel Hut (4800m/15,748ft) – ascent to High Camp of Chimborazo (5300m/17,388ft)
From Baños 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 17,388ft/5300m. Porters will help carrying our equipment. 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 15: Summit climb Chimborazo (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 the second summit called Whymper (6263m/20,549ft). At about noon, we will be back in the refuge where our transport will be waiting for us to drive back to Quito. Total walking time between 10 to 14 hours. In Quito we will stay at the same Hotel Quito. (B/BL)

Day 16: Transfer to the airport and flight home. (B)