DIFICULTY:
▲▲▲△△
DURATION:
5Days/ 4Nights
HIGHLIGHTS:
Pasochoa, Rumiñahui, Iliniza North, Quilotoa, Chimborazo trek
Trekking Central Andes 5 Days / 4 Nights
Pasochoa, Rumiñahui, Iliniza North, Quilotoa, Chimborazo trek.
This program concentrates on Cotopaxi’s ascent. The Cotopaxi 5,897 m (19,347 ft.) is the second-highest mountain in Ecuador and one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. While active, it is the most frequently climbed mountain in the country and one of the most visited peaks in South America. We recommend this program for guests that have good previous acclimatization in Ecuador.
Time in hours |
||||||
Day |
Itinerary |
Accommodation |
Altitude in m |
Altitude Accommodation in m |
Walk |
Drive |
1 |
Pasochoa | Lodge |
4200 |
2500 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
Rumiñahui | Lodge |
4600 |
2500 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
Ilinizas trekking | Lodge |
4600-5116 |
2500 |
6-7 |
0.5 |
4 |
Quilotoa loop | Lodge Chimborazo |
3914 |
4000 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
Chimborazo trekking and back to Quito | – |
5000 |
2700 |
4 |
2 |
*Approx. in hours
Itinerary 5 days / 4 nights
Day 1: Pasochoa trekking
The Pasochoa, an extinct volcano that is very fertile in consequence of the lava and the thousands of years that passed by the eruption. Covered in Andean forests and moorlands, you can find many different species of plants, trees, animals and insects. Our trekking takes about 6-7 hours in total. After reaching Pasochoa Summit (4’200 m / 13’779 feet) we head to our lodge to rest for the night.
Accommodation:Lodge
Meals: box lunch, dinner
Day 2. Rumiñahui
We continue 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:Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Day 3. Ilinizas Reserve Trekking – Iliniza Norte 5116m
The journey takes us about 30min to the Virgin statue nearly at 4000m. The hike to the hut will take us about 2hrs and one hour back. Traversing moorlands and a small polilepis forest, the hike is very scenic with great views of the valley. If guests desire, we can try for the summit of Iliniza North adding additional 2 hours from the hut up, and 2 hours descent total.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Box lunch, dinner
Day 4. Quilotoa Loop
We head to the central Andes. The Quilotoa Lake is one of Ecuador’s most spectacular sites, although relatively off the beaten path. The crater lake was formed when the volcano erupted many thousands of years ago. It is about 250 meters deep and is characterized by its stunningly bright turquoise color. We walk around the lake about 4-5 hours to complete the loop around the crater. Then we will be transferred south to Chimborazo province to our hotel to spend the night.
Accommodation: Lodge / Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Day 5: Chimborazo trekking and back to Quito
Afrer breakfast we go for a wonderful trekking around the area and base of the mountain to admire the moorlands, views and meet the Andean camelid, alpacas and vicuñas. We reach the mountain refuges and reach up to 5000m at the base of the mountain. We return to Quito for our next adventures.
Accommodation: Hotel in Riobamba
Meals: breakfast, box lunch
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