AAEP01 The Volcanoes Climbing
Expedition 8D/7N
Climbing Mount Corazon
(4788 m), Illiniza (5120 m), Cotopaxi (5897 m) and Chimborazo (6310 m)
Volcanoes.
Day 1: Starting from Quito City we head south
towards the highlands of Corazon Volcano. This 4788 m. summit offers a nice
opportunity for acclimatization while enjoying great views of the Machachi
valley and the surrounding mountains: Illinizas, Rumiñahui, Sincholagua and
Cotopaxi Volcanoes. Overnight in a nice local hacienda.
Day 2: Machachi-
Iliniza’s camp (3800 m).
It
is approximadetely 40 minutes ride
by car to the beginning of the trail. Trekking along the
slopes of the Illinizas till we reach our camp site at “La Virgen” at 3800
m. (L,D)
Day
3:
Summit
of IIliniza North (5120 m). Start
climbing from our camp at 3 a.m. and we expect to arrive to
the summit at 9-10 a.m. Back from the summit we descend to meet our
vehicle and transport to our hacienda-hotel.
Day
4:
Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park and 1 hour hike to the José Rivas hut.
Overnight at the hut at 4800 m. (B,BL,D)
Day
5:
Summit of Cotopaxi (5897 m). Midnight wakeup and start of climb to the summit.
To reach the summit takes approx. 6-7 hours. Afterwards, return to the hut and
drive to Riobamba city for a well-deserved rest. Hotel.(B,BL)
Day
6:
We drive southwest towards the Fauna Reserve of Chimborazo and then we reach
the parking lot and the Carrel hut at 4800 m. Hike to the Whymper refuge at
5,000 m. (B,BL,D)
Day 7: Summit of Chimborazo
(6310 m)
At midnight we climb up to
the summit of the highest mountain in Ecuador. To reach the top of Chimborazo
takes approx. 8-9 hours. Back from the summit we refuel our bodies with a tasty
soup and set off on our drive to the charming town of Baños. Hotel. (B,BL).
Day 8: Free relaxing morning in Baños. Afternoon transport
back to Quito. End
of our services. (B).
Included:
Private
transportation, professional mountain guide, double accommodation in
comfortable hotels and tents, noted meals during the excursion, communal
climbing gear (ropes, belays) cook, helpers, entrance fees.
Not
included: other meals, personal expenses, personal climbing outfit, tips.
Grading:
easy – moderate – hard – very hard
AAEP02 Cotopaxi National Park Circuit 7D/6N
The
Cotopaxi National Park, with an area of 35000 hectares, contains a very
interesting natural area for eager climbers and adventurers. The valley of
Limpiopungo with
a height average of 3800 m is located at the base of the following volcanoes:
the Rumiñahui (4712 m), the Sincholagua (4898 m) and the Cotopaxi (5897 m). This
circuit can definitely be complete, enjoy.
Day 1: Transfer
via Sangolqui Village located in the beautiful Sangolqui valley to the Hacienda
of Rumipamba, our trailhead. Our
first day trek will
take us along small villages and cultivated camps. Good opportunity to
observe the life of the Ecuatorian
highland “campesinos” and enjoy nice views of the paramos of Ecuador. We
trek to the banks of the Pita River where our first camp is located at 3150 m,
3-4 hrs. (B,BL,D).
Day 2: Climb up to
3700 meters, to the foothills of Pasochoa volcano. Enjoy great views of
Sincholagua volcano and if weather permits we can already see the beautiful
snow capped cone of Cotopaxi Volcano. We trek through the Pedregal Tambo highlands
with wonderful views of Pasochoa, Sincholagua and Cotopaxi Volcanoes. We set up camp at the base of Mt Sincholagua
(4890 m).
Day
3: This day we will have the opportunity to climb Mount Sincholagua (4893
m) a nice rocky peak. This is a long, demanding day, but worth the effort to
enjoy great views of the highlands and of the impressive Cotopaxi Volcano. Camp on Limpiopungo valley. (B,BL,D)
Day
4:
This day starts with a soft and steady climb to the lower ridges of the
Rumiñahui Volcano until we meet the rocky section that leads us to the summit.
Back to our camp at 3800 m. (B,L,D)
Day
5:
Resting
day of
soft acclimatization trek south to Limpiopungo Lagoon, a beautiful, pristine
and quiet place surrounded by a little lake and small hills. Camp at 3800
m. (B,L,D)
Day
6:
We are picked up by the car and transferred to the Cotopaxi parking lot at 4600
m. From here we make a short trek to the hut at 4800 m. Overnight in the hut.
(B,L,D)
Day
7:
After midnight starts the 6-7 hours climb to the summit of the impressive
Cotopaxi volcano. Descend to the
parking lot and drive back to Quito. (B,L)
Included: Private
transportation, professional mountain guide, double accommodation in
comfortable hotels and tents, noted meals during the excursion, communal
climbing gear (ropes, belays) cook, helper, entrance fees.
Not
included: other meals, personal expenses, personal climbing outfit, tips.
Grading:
easy – moderate – hard
AAEP03 Climbing the Avenue
of the Volcanoes 16D/15N
During this trip we can
enjoy the marvels of ice and snow climbing in the middle of the world. We will
climb five mountains in Ecuador: Imbabura (4600 m.), Cayambe (5780 m), North
Illiniza (5100 m.), Cotopaxi Volcano (5897 m.) and Chimborazo (6310 m.).
Day
1.
Arrival in Quito. Transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon visit to the old town and the equator monument. At
evening, welcome drink with slide show.
Day
2.
Transport to Otavalo city. Visit Cuicocha Lagoon and enjoy a nice trek (4-5 hours) around it . Hotel in
Otavalo.(B).
Day 3. Imbabura Volcano. Early morning departure
from Otavalo towards Ibarra continuing afterwards to the foothills of Imbabura.
The trek/climb will take approximately 5 to 6 hours, weather permitting we will
enjoy great views of the Ecuadorian Andes. Return to Otavalo. Hotel. (B,L)
Day
4:
Morning drive towards the upper hills of the Cayambe volcano. Overnight in the
refuge. (B,L,D).
Day
5:
At 3 a.m. awake up to prepare ourselves for the climb to the summit of Cayambe
Volcano. The adventure will take about 6-7 hours of steady climb in snowfields.
Return to the refuge and drive back to Quito. Hotel. (B,L).
Day
6.
ILLINIZA. Drive towards Machachi. From here we turn to El Refugio Hacienda. A 2
hour trek will take us to our camp at the foothills of Illiniza peaks. Camp.
(B, BL, D).
Day
7.
Wake early to climb the normal route of North Illiniza (5116 m.), a beautiful
rocky mountain. Climbing time approx. 5-6 h. Return to the camp and trek down
to meet our vehicle. Transport to Machachi. Accommodation in an attractive local
hacienda. (B, BL).
Day
8:
Resting day in Hacienda La Estación. (B).
Day
9.
COTOPAXI. Drive up to Cotopaxi National Park. Camp at 1 Km of Limpiopungo
valley at 3800 m. In the afternoon short acclimatization trek. (B, BL, D).
Day
10. After breakfast, drive up to the parking place from where a short trek
will take us to the refuge at 4800 m. Ice climbing practice on the closest
glacier. (B, BL, D).
Day
11. Awake early to climb to the summit of Cotopaxi. After 7-8 hours we can
expect to arrive at the summit from where we can enjoy a view of the impressive
crater. Back to the refuge and drive down to Riobamba. Hotel (B, L).
Day
12. Rest day in Riobamba. (B).
Day
13. CHIMBORAZO. After lunch drive towards the southern slopes of
Chimborazo, with our camp at 4000 m. (B, D).
Day
14. Drive up to the first refuge of Chimborazo. A short trek will take us
up to the E. Whymper refuge at 5000 m. Relaxing afternoon. (B, L, D).
Day
15. Wake at midnight. Climb following the ridge on the left side of
Thyelmann glacier. We expect to arrive at the top after 7-8 hours. Return to
the refuge and meet our vehicle, which will take us back to Quito. Hotel. (B,
L).
Day
16. Transfer to the airport (or program extension). (B).
Included: Private
transportation, professional mountain guide, double accommodation in
comfortable hotels and tents, all camping gear, noted meals during the
excursion, communal climbing gear (ropes, belays) cook, helper, entrance fees.
Not
included: other meals, personal expenses, personal climbing outfit, tips.
Grading: easy – moderate – hard – very hard
