This itinerary allows us to visit the Ecuadorian Andes and admire its different natural landscapes from the North to the South. The highlights will be the ascent of the two volcanoes: Cotopaxi (5,897m) and Chimborazo (6,310m). In preparation for the climbing we offer a program of altitude acclimatization, alternating this with visits and stays in the various spots of cultural interest that Ecuador's Andean region offers.
Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Quito - Hotel Dann Carlton
Arrival in Quito. The capital of Ecuador lies on 2.830 m height. We will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to Hotel Dann Carlton in the modern part of the city. -/-/-
Day 02: City tour - Mitad del Mundo - Pululahua Crater
After breakfast we will make a tour to get a first impression of the diversity of the capital and its turbulent history. From the modern part with its many parks and the shopping street Amazonas, it continues to Plaza Santo Domingo, Plaza de Independencia and Plaza San Francisco in the colonial part in the south. The historical buildings of the Old Town were declared a Cultural Heritage in 1978. From the Panecillo Hill in the south of the Old Town, where we can see the 43 m high Monument of the virgin of Quito, you will have an impressive view over the red-tiled roofs of the Old City the skyline of the modern quarter of Quito in the North and the surrounding Andean cordilleras with its snow topped giants. After the city tour you will drive about 25 km from Quito towards the North. There you will see the Equator Monument, where you will also have lunch in a typically Ecuadorian restaurant. The 30 m high monument reminds of the Spanish-French geographical expedition from 1736-1744, which has defined the position of the equator under the guidance of Charles de la Condamine. Here you can stand with one foot on the north- and with the other foot on the south part of the globe and you have the opportunity to visit the ethnographical museum in the center of the monument. Directly after we will drive to the close by situated Reserva Geobotánica Pululahua (ca. 2500 m), which is situated in the crater of the volcano with the same name. Through a 2-hour trekking through the crater we are able to admire the beauty of the original flora and the many hummingbirds and butterflies. At nighttime we will head back to the hotel in Quito where everything about the trip will be explained accompanied with a welcome-cocktail. B/L/-
Day 03: Papallacta Hot Springs - Quito
A fascinating trip on the transatlantic canal through the Andes over the Papallacta-Pass. Here we will make a 4-hour tour on ca. 4.000 m height, until we will reach the hot springs of Papallacta (3.7000 m). Here you can relax bathing in the hot springs. In the late afternoon we will head back to Quito. We will spend the night in the hotel Dann Carlton. B/L/-
Day 04: Guagua Pichincha - Quito
Pichincha is a great alternative for those who are short on time but still want to do a fairly demanding high-altitude hike. The Andean village of Lloa (3500m), which is situated in the basin southwest of Quito will be the starting point for a trip into the Andean mountains. From here, a path leads us over the foothills of the slopes of Guagua Pichincha, up to the refuge below the crater edge, which will be reached after a 5-hour hike. Only a few meters separate you from the 4.794 m. high summit of this active volcano (The last time the volcano blew was in 1660 when it doused Quito in 40 cm of black ash!). From there you can have an amazing view into the horseshoe-shaped crater, which is open to the western side. The smoke that emerges from the inside of the crater as well as the cones of scree and ash testify his volcanic activity. We need about 3 hours for the descent. In the nighttime you will drive back to your hotel in Quito. B/L/-
Day 05: Pasochoa - Alberge Cuello de Luna
An excursion to the protected woodland Pasochoa about 30 km southern from Quito leads us to the Ecuadorian Andean timber forest. At the same time we can get used to the altitude. The entry is at 2700m. During the walk we will see brome lies, orchids and rare types of cedars until an altitude of more than 3500m. The Cerro Pasochoa is 4200 meters high and overgrazed with impressive paramour vegetation.
Here live more than 150 species of birds. It is easy to see hummingbirds and with a little bit of luck we even can see condors. For the way back we will need about 2 hours. In the afternoon we will drive back to the comfortable Alberge Cuello de Luna, our acclimatization camp on the border of the Cotopaxi National Park. The hacienda is situated on a height of 3.300 m and for climbers strategically very convenient because from here on all mountains can be reached easily. The atmosphere and the beautiful scenery around the hacienda is a wonderful experience and many of the rooms even have a fireplace. B/L/D
Day 06: Los Illinizas - Camping in La Virgen
This day starts with a tour from the Cuello de Luna towards the North over the Pan Americana to Tarqui. From here we will visit the village El Chaupi (ca. 3.950 m) which is about 7 km away. In la Virgen you can admire the Polylepis-forest (paper trees). These trees have a multi-layered bark and that is where their name comes from. We will set up a camp and we will use the afternoon for recovery and to get used to the height. B/L/D
Day 07: Illiniza Norte - Alberge Cuello de Luna
In a 3-hour trekking from La Virgen (3.950 m) we will reach the Nuevos Horizonter shelter on a height of 4.600 m. With good acclimatization we will take the way up to the northern peak, which is separated through a saddle from the southern one. Will we reach the peak-cross (5.126 m) in 2 hours. From there back to the cabin we will need about one hour. The way from the cabin to the car will last 2 hours. In the afternoon you will be brought back over the Pan Americana to the Cuello de Luna. There we will have dinner and spend the night. B/L/D
Day 08: Crater lagoon Quilotoa - Cuello de Luna
Today you will get to know the area of Chugchilán through a 6-hour drive. This area is geographically one of the most impressive areas of Ecuador. After that we will drive towards the South to Zumbuahua. Zumbuahua is a small colorful village, which is inhabited by 60 local families. Approximately 10 km to the North is the blue-green shimmering crater lagoon of Quilotoa (ca. 4.000M) situated. This lake is one of the most beautiful volcanic cold-water lakes of the Ecuadorian Andes. On the edge of the crater you are able to see far off the snow-covered volcanoes. After a one-hour stroll it goes over Chugchilán and Sigchos back to the acclimatisation centre. On this tour we will have several stops to observe the original villages and the amazing environment, which has a great variety of orchids and birds. Overnight stay in the Alberge Cuello de Luna. B/L/D
Day 09: Cotopaxi National Park - Jose Ribas-Refuge
From the hacienda you will drive to Cotopaxi National Park. You will have a short stop at the visitor center Campamento Mariscal Sucre to visit the natural museum. After that you will drive on the plateau to the lagoon Limpiopungo on a height of 3.800 to the foothills of 4.712 m high dead volcano peak Rumiñahui. Here you will have a spectacular view on the giant volcano cone Cotopaxi. After about an one-hour drive over the plateaus and foothills uphill you will reach the parking lot at a height of 4.600 m. From here on it goes for 30 minutes by foot about 200 m. uphill to Jose-Ribas-refuge on approximately 4.800 m height. After lunch we will trek in about 20 minutes to the glaciers which lie on the same height as the refuge. In the afternoon we will go back to the cabins where you will have dinner and go to bed early. B/L/D
Day 10: Summit of the Cotopaxi - Hacienda la Cienega
After a small breakfast the trekking to the top begins (5.897 m). When the weather and the conditions admit it, we will reach in 6-7 hours the peak! With good weather you can enjoy breath-taking panoramic views and of course photograph all peaks of the snow-covered volcanoes of the Ecuadorian Andes. After that you will climb in 2,5 - 3 hours back to the parking lot and drive to the nearby 400 year old Hacienda La Cienega. This is a noble colonial building and ancient with trees surrounded by flower gardens with a colonial chapel. Quite a few famous statesmen including Alexander von Humboldt stayed here in between their journeys. In this nostalgic atmosphere we will have our dinner and spend the night. B/L/D
Day 11: Day of rest in the Hacienda la Cienega
This day is totally devoted to recovery and relaxation on the Hacienda. It also serves as a spare day for the mountain trekkings when the weather or snow conditions make an extra day on the mountain necessary. B/L/D
Day 12: Chimborazo - Whymper Refuge
Passing by Latachunga, Ambato and the Andes village Santa Rosa and Pilahuin, we will reach in approximately 3 hours the Refuge Hermanos Carrel on a height of 4.800 m. On the way we will have a snack. In 30 minutes you will go up to Whymper Refuge on 5.000 m height. With good weather you will have a small stroll for acclimatization. After dinner you will go to bed early. B/L/D
Day 13: Climb Chimborazo - Hostería Abraspungu
The climb to the top begins at midnight and will take about 8-9 hours when the weather and conditions cooperate. From the peak, which is known for its first climber Edward Whymper who climbed the mountain on a height of 6.310 m, you will have a fantastic view over the green of the Amazon jungle. You will also have a view over the Andes with its many snow-topped peaks to the blue of the Pacific - an incomparable sight. The climb to our cabin will take about 4 - 5 hours. From there on we will drive to Riobamba, where you will spend the night in Hostería Abraspungu. B/L/D
Day 14: Ride with the spectacular Andes train - Quito
After breakfast it goes already very early to Riobamba train station where a fascinating train tour through the wonderful Andes scenery starts. The trip takes you through carty mountain villages and along mountain backs of the western Andes cordilleras. You will drive over the already in 1902 finished and until now the steepest track - a real masterpiece. Before arriving at Chanchan the train masters the trickiest passage, the so-called Devils nose, where it masters at a height of a 100 m. at a walking pace zigzag bends in minutes. The train station of Alausi is the final station and you will drive through Riobamba back to Quito. Overnight stay at Hotel Dann Carlton. In case the day before the peak of the Chimborazo could not be reached, we can naturally try a second time and drive directly back to Quito at night. B/L/-
Day 15: Flight back home
After a last day in Quito we will guide you to the airport and we will say goodbye -until we welcome you again! B/-/-
B= breakfast; L= Lunch; D= Dinner
Prices 2007:
USD 2.540.- per person
Surcharge for single room: USD 240.-
Minimum 2 People.
In the price included:
transportation, overland- and sightseeing trips according to the itinerary, accommodation in hotels and Haciendas in double rooms and private bathroom, oxygen, first aid kit, mountain boots, crampons, harness, rope, ice axe, ice screws, National park entrance fee, mules, meals according to the program (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner), English speaking mountain guides. The guides are equipped with cell phones for emergencies.
Not included in the price:
International flight, beverages, International flight airport tax (USD 41.- per person), personal expenses, tips, travel insurance.
What to bring with you:
Sleeping bag, personal equipment, travel insurance, mountain equipment: gaiters, warm and waterproof clothing (Fleece and Goretex), sunglasses, headlamp with batteries, gloves, sun block, torch, hat, trekking shoes, canteen, camera and film (100 ASA). etc.
If you need any additional information please write us:
Acclimatisation Cotopaxi - Climb Antisana 5.704 m - Climb Cayambe 5.790 m
Climb Chimborazo 6310 m - Climb Cotopaxi 5.987 m
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South America 
