Day 1
Meeting at the hotel in Quito, transfer (2 hours) to the start of the trail located at an altitude of 3848 m. From this place we begin our acclimatization hike to the Pasochoa volcano (4164 m). A well-marked trail leads through agricultural land to the paramo zone. Here the trail heads south, gradually climbing up to the base of the crater. The last section is the steepest, along the mountain path we climb to the edge of the crater. The last meters to the summit of the Pasochoa volcano pass along the rim of the crater with a beautiful view of the Machachi Valley, also known as the "Volcanoes Avenue", and the highlands to the west. On clear days, there is a beautiful view of the volcanoes Cotopaxi, Sincholagua, Ruminahui and Artisana. The descend is following back the same trail. Back at the starting point the group will be taken back (2 h) to Quito.
Night in hotel.
Ascent: 516 m / Descent: 516 m / Highest altitude: 4164 m / Activity duration: 5 h
Included meals: Picnic
Day 2
Volcano Pichincha is three peaks located in the Western Ridge just above Quito. Peak Guagua Pichincha (4794 m) - the highest and youngest of the peaks, the other two are slightly lower: Rucu Pichincha and Padre Encantado (Enchanted Father). Guagua is also the site of the last volcanic eruption in 1999. Currently, geologists consider it safe to climb. Climbing Guagua and Rucu are very popular due to their location on the outskirts of the capital and easy access. Meeting at the hotel in Quito and transfer (2 hours) to the beginning of the trail near the parking place at 4150 m. From the parking place the hike will ascend along the "paramo" zone, overcoming the change of vegetation to the moraine. The ascent is very straightforward, but the distance is long. There is a big gain in altitude during trekking, which is great for preparing for higher peaks. Descent from the top to the parking place along the ascent path. From the parking place to the mountain house we will drive 2 hours along the beautiful "Volcano Avenue". The house is located near the town of El Chaupi (2930 m).
Night at the mountain house Ilinizas.
Ascent: 644 / Descent: 644 m / Maximum altitude: 4794 m / Activity duration: 6 h.
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 3
In the morning, a short drive (1 hour) from our mountain lodge to the parking place located at an altitude of 3680 meters. From here the group will follow the paramo trail (Andean Highlands), which turns into a rocky moraine as it climbs. The terrain becomes steeper when we reach a clearly visible ridge that rises into the valley that separates the two peaks, where the hut of Nuevos Horizontes (4677 m) is located. Upon arrival at the hut, the mountain guide will give appropriate instructions for the next day's ascent and help prepare all the necessary equipment. The Nuevos Horizontes hut is a very basic apartment with one large area containing both bunk beds and a kitchen. The hut has basic amenities such as a kitchen, dining tables and toilets.
Overnight at the hut.
Ascent: 817 m / Maximum altitude: 4677 m / Activity duration: 3-4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 4
Today we make an ascent to the North Iliniza Volcano (5126 m), one of the two peaks of the Iliniz massif. The North Summit is technically easier, but still requires physical strength. The ascent starts immediately from the Nuevos Horizontes hut (4677 m). First, we head to the saddle, and then we go north to the summit of North Iliniza. The climb itself is very panoramic as it follows the southern ridge of the mountain with breathtaking scenery on both sides. Depending on the weather conditions and the physical condition of the team, the descent can be carried out along the same path or along the northern ridge, along a large talus, turning into a circular route. Back at the parking place, the team will be transferred (3 h) to the town of Baños de Santa Agua for a day rest.
Night in hotel.
Ascent: 449 m / Descent: 1266 m / Highest altitude: 5126 m / Activity duration: 8 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic
Day 5
Today is our day of rest. The town of Banos, as the locals know it, is located in the province of Tunguragua at the foot of the active volcano Tunguragua (5023 m). Banos is called the “Gateway to the Amazon”, as it is the last city in the Andes not reaching the Amazon basin. Due to its privileged location, this city offers a lot of entertainment. The most famous are the hot springs (banos),
which can be enjoyed in many places in the city. Adventure sports such as mountain biking, rock climbing, walking, trekking, etc. are also widespread. Banos also has a magnificent landscape with the famous waterfalls that lie a few kilometers down the valley. The most famous of these are "El Pailon del Diablo" (Devil's pot) and "El manto de la Novia" (the Bride’s veil), which can be visited by local taxi. The "Tarabita" (cable car) is used to cross the Pastaza River, and on the other side of the valley you can walk through the gardens and orchards of local peasants. In short, there are plenty of things to do or just spend a relaxing day to enjoy the good temperatures and beautiful surroundings.
Overnight at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Day 6
After a day of leisure and a relaxing morning in the town of Banos, the group will pack and drive (3 h) back to the highland towards Chimborazo National Park. On the way, there will a couple of short stops and time to buy the last snacks before leaving “civilization”. Chimborazo volcano is an impressive mountain that stands out from the “Volcanoes Avenue”. The indigenous farmed land that surrounds the mountains are all traditionally worked and very colorful during the harvest season. While driving up to the main entrance, it is possible to see very dramatic landscapes were the actions of the old eruptions have shaped the geography of the place. After crossing the park borders, the landscape turns very arid, like a desert, where it is possible to see one of the rare South American camelids: Vicunas. These animal are difficult to see because they life in quiet inaccessible areas. They are master to survive in difficult conditions. The ones living in this park are not originally from the area, but introduced many years ago and over time became permanent residents. The road goes all the way to the door of the lower hut “Refugio Hermanos Carrel” (4800 m), where an 1 hour acclimatization hike starts by a moraine valley up to the Whymper hut (5000 m)
and then back down to the Carrel hut. The rest of the afternoon-evening will be to prepare the climb and have an early dinner. The mountain guides will provide all the information and help to assure the best logistic for such a demanding climb.
Night in dormitories with bunkbends.
Ascent: 200 m / Descent: 200 m / Highest Altitude: 5000 m / Activity duration: 1.5 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 7
Chimborazo (6268 m) is the highest mountain in Ecuador and also the highest in the world measured from the center of the earth, due to is location on the tropical belt. The mountain has five mayor summits all linked by a ridge called the “Arista del Sol” (Sun’s ridge), which probably is the main reason of its Quichua name which translates “Ice braid”. The main summit is the Whymper (6268 m), named after the British mountaineer Edward Whymper who has the first person to climb it on 1880 along with the Swiss Carrel brothers. Climbing Chimborazo by its normal Southwest route is a challenging affair, is a long 1268 meters ascent and descent in one push at a considerable altitude. The terrain is also complex, as it changes from an easy moraine trail to a ice, snow and rock sections, with some easy scrambling at some specific spots. Event nougat it is not a technical climb, it is physical demanding. The climb starts, according to the team fitness, acclimatisation level and meteorological conditions, between 10 PM to 1 AM. The mountain guide will decide the departure time and wake up the clients 1 hours before to have same breakfast and get ready for the activity. Once on the march, the first part (2 h) up to the glacier is easy, close to the edge of the glacier the guide will decide, depending on the conditions of this section, if to take the route under or above the rock tower called “El Castillo”. After the rock, the glacier rises on very wide ridge that goes up to an approximate altitude of 5850 m. From this point a gentle traverse elevates westwards reaching 6000 m and then a relative strait climb to the first summit: the Veintimilla (6230 m) then descend few meters, cross a col and then back up to the main summit Whymper (6268 m). This is a memorable ascent to a summit above 6000 meters and a test of physical and mental endurance. The descend is done by the same route back to the Whymper hut and, after packing, a short hile down to the parking place, where there will be a transfer ready to take the group back to Quito (4 h).
Ascent: 1268 m / Descent: 1468 m / Highest Altitude: 6312 m / Activity duration: 10-12 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic
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