DIFICULTY:

▲▲▲▲▲

DURATION:

8Days/ 7Nights

HIGHLIGHTS:

Acclimatization, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo ascent

Ecuador Complete Central Andes + Main Glaciers Cotopaxi and Chimborazo Tour

Acclimatization, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo ascent

This program starts with light acclimatization, then more difficult mountains until the first highlight: Cotopaxi ending with another highlight, Chimborazo. Cotopaxi (5.897 m is the second highest mountain in Ecuador and the most climbed. Chimborazo (6,268 m — 20,564 ft.) is the goal of many climbers who come to Ecuador. It is the highest mountain in the country and if measured from the center of the earth it’s the highest mountain in the world! The ascent of Chimborazo is not to be underestimated because a good acclimatization such as this program is required and is certainly the highlight of this trip.

Day Program altitudein m *Walk *Drive Accomodation altitudein m accomodation
1 Rumiñahui 4600 0.5 1 Lodge 2900
2 Corazón 4781 5 0.5 Lodge 2900
3 Illiniza North 5116 6 0.5 Lodge 2900
4 Refuge Cotopaxi 4800 0.5 1 Mountain Refuge 4800
5 Cotopaxi 5897 8-10 1.5 Lodge 2900
6 Short trekking Chimborazo area and day off 4000 1 2.5 Lodge 4000
7 Chimborazo High Camp 5000 0.5 0.5 High Camp 5500
8 Chimborazo and back to Quito 6310 10-12 3 2800
*Approx. in hours

Itinerary 8 days / 7 nights

Day 1: Rumiñahui 4600m

We head to Cotopaxi National Park. We start our tour at the edge of the stunning Limpiopungo lagoon at 3900m. Rumiñahui is a beautiful rocky mountain which its name means: face of rock: Rumi (piedra) Ñahui (cara). We hike to the summit and back in approx. 4-5h. We traverse beautiful moorlands and the last part to the summit is a fun rocky easy climb to Rumiñahui Central. The view is amazing to active Cotopaxi volcano, Sincholagua, Pasochoa and surrounding valleys. We return to our lodge to rest.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: box lunch, dinner

Day 2: Climbing Corazón 4781m

Pickup at hotel in Quito, then we will drive 1.5 hours to the Corazón Mountain which has a fantastic view to Cotopaxi, Rumiñahui, Illinizas, Sincholagua, Pasochoa, Pichincha, Atacazo, etc. Our trekking tour starts at 4000mts (13’200feet) to the summit at 4781mts (15’777feet), it will take us around 3 hrs. We will drive to our lodge, have dinner and relax in the SPA as tomorrow we will have an early wake up.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Day 3: Iliniza Norte 5116m

Today we have early breakfast and start our next trekking adventure. The journey takes us about 1h to the Virgin statue nearly at 4000m through a bumpy track. The hike to the hut will take us about 2hrs, from the cottage to the main summit of the Illiniza Norte another 2hrs and for the descent, we need about 2-3 hours until we reach our transfer. We come down to rest at our lodge.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Day 4: Mountain Refuge Carrel 4800m / Cotopaxi

We head to the direction of Cotopaxi National Park. The road to Cotopaxi refuge by is unique. You often see wild animals such as horses, bulls, birds, rabbits and foxes. We drive almost 1h from 2900m to 4500m, where we leave our car. The last 300mts to the hut we make by foot. Before sunset we have dinner and try to sleep a few hours, at midnight our adventure will start. The unique and compelling Cotopaxi 5897m is waiting for us.
Accommodation: Refuge Jose Ribas
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Day 5: Climbing Cotopaxi 5897m

The big day of the trip begins shortly after midnight at 4800m. 6-7 hours will be needed to get to the main summit of the World famous Cotopaxi (5897m). A complete alpine glacier hike, surrounded by beautiful mountains and the lights of the capital in the background. The goal of ascension is to reach the summit when the sun rises to enjoy the magnificent colors and views. We need 2-3 hours for the descent. We head to our next lodge for a well-deserved rest.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: pre-ascent breakfast, box lunch for ascent, dinner

Day 6: Chimborazo trekking

We enjoy a tranquil breakfast and head south to the area of Chimborazo. Then we go for a wonderful recovery and acclimatisation trekking from the refuge to the Whymper Needles at 5300m. After this short walk we head to the lodge. Today we rest, the big challenge comes tomorrow!
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Chimborazo High Camp 5300m

After a light lunch we drive to Chimborazo. We walk about 2 hours to our high camp. Guests carry their personal belongings. Extra charge for high camp porterage is per way $50 per 20 pounds. High camp includes 4 season tents, 1 per each 2 guests. Here we will have early dinner and try to rest. A steep climb awaits us to the top of Ecuador!

Accommodation: high camp at 5300m

Meals: breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Day 8: Chimborazo 6268 m and back to Quito

The ascent of Chimborazo normally takes 7-9 hours to the main summit and 4-3 1/2hr. for the descent. We will thus be on foot for over 10 hours, which will certainly be working our legs. The summit is huge and breathtakingly beautiful. If we are lucky we can see the Tungurahua, an active volcano that spits out ash clouds from time to time, but is not dangerous. After the descent we gather our belongings in high camp and head down to drive back to Quito .

Meals: breakfast, box lunch for ascent

PLAN YOUR EXPEDITION WITH US

Carefully crafted tailor made tours and expeditions in Ecuador and Worldwide. Contact us for more information.

FULL PACKAGES

Included:

  • Local certified English-speaking mountain guide

  • Accommodation mentioned above

  • Private transportation

  • Meals mentioned in program above

  • Transportation, Accommodations, meals for all guides and driver

Not included:

  • Airfare

  • Soft and alcoholic beverages

  • Extras and services not mentioned above

  • Insurance

  • Tips and gratuities

  • Glacier, climbing and extra trekking gear (we can assist with the rental)

  • Taxes

CUMBRE TOURS ADVENTURES

GET A FREE CUSTOMIZED QUOTE

CONTACT US