Itinerary Details
Welcome to Ecuador and the city of Quito, which, at 2.800 m. (9.186 ft), is the second highest capital city in the world.
Upon your arrival at the airport, a Rahhalah representative will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to explore the city or simply relax and prepare for the big adventure ahead. Note: One group airport transfer is included in the price. Additional can be arranged at an extra cost. Accommodation: La Casona de la Ronda (2,800m) or similar, in Quito.
Today, you will hike to your first peak in Ecuador: Rucu Pichincha Volcano (meaning Grandfather Volcano in indigenous Kichwa). After a hearty breakfast, you will head to Quito’s famous Teleférico (3,117 m/10,226 ft.), one of the highest cable cars in the world, which will take you to Cruz Loma (3,945 m/12,943 ft.). The Teleférico allows for a 360-degree view of the city and, on a clear day, you can see Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Cayambe, Antisana, Illinizas and Corazón volcanoes.
From the top of the Teleférico, it takes approximately 4-5 hours to reach Rucu Pichincha’s summit, enjoying magnificent views on the way. The trail slowly begins to weave through the base of the cliffs onto a sandy slope, leading to the summit. The return follows the same path, and you will reach Quito using, once again, the Teleférico. Quito: 2,800 m/9,186 ft. Gondola upper station: 3,945 m/12.943 ft. Summit Ruco Pichincha: 4,774 m/15.413 ft. Hiking details: Hiking distance :10 km round trip Hiking time: 4-5 hours ascending and 2-3 descending Vertical gain during the day: 1.774 m/5.854 ft. (Teleferico plus climbing) Vertical gain climbing: 829 m/2.736 ft. From Teleferico to the summit Accommodation: La Casona de la Ronda (2,800m) or similar, in Quito.
After breakfast, you will drive into the Northern Andes of Ecuador, towards Lake Mojanda and Fuya Fuya Volcano (a 2-hour drive from Quito).
The hike to the top of Fuya Fyua Volcano is short but steep and challenging, passing through knee-high grass vegetation and Achupallas (tall Andean pineapples). As you gain altitude, the climb will gradually become steeper, ending at the saddle between Fuya Fuya's two summits. There is an easy 3rd Class scramble which you will take to reach the final summit. You will enjoy amazing views of the countryside, including Lake Mojanda glistening below and the surrounding peaks of Imbabura, Cotacachi and Cayambe. You will then descend on the steep east side of the summit back down to Lake Mojanda.
There, you will have the opportunity to visit Otavalo city and one of the largest indigenous markets in the region, before diving south to the village of Cayambe (4,658m), at the base of Cayambe Volcano (5,790m). Altitude: 4,263 m / 14.067 ft Hiking details: Hiking distance: 4.63 Km Hiking time: 4-5 hours, round trip. Elevation Gain: 582m (1.887 ft). Accommodation: Refugio Oleas Berge (4,658m)
Cayambe is an active volcano whose last recorded eruption occurred in the 18th century. At 4,690m, its south slope is the highest point in the world on the equatorial line and the only point on the Equator covered with snow.
To prepare for your summit attempt, you will use the day to practice your glacier skills. From the refuge, you will take an easy 20-min descent to the glacier where you will test your mountain equipment, and you will practice the use of ice axes, self-arrest, and crampons on different slopes. Take this opportunity to get used to your gear and build your confidence for tomorrow’s climb to the summit. Altitudes: Cayambe Hut: 4,658 m/15,282 ft. Cayambe Glacier (practice): 4,898 m/16,070 ft. Vertical gain climbing: 240 m/792 ft. Accommodation: Refugio Oleas Berge (4,658m)
Today, you will start climbing around midnight to take advantage of the frozen snow for a safer excursion. The climb to the summit is not especially technical, however it is physically demanding and can be dangerous due to crevasses. Your guides will take all possible safety precautions and you can implement all the skills you learned on the previous days to ensure a safe climb.
You will continue on the glacier for approximately 6 hours with a slow pace that will be mostly impacted by the altitude rather than the technical difficulty of the trail. After this challenging climb, however, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the morning sun casting its light over the Andes and Ecuadorian highlands.
You will descend the same way down to the Refugio Oleas Berge where you will rest briefly before heading to a hotel outside of Quito (a 3-hour drive). Altitudes: Cayambe Hut: 4,658 m/15,371 ft. Summit Cayambe: 5,790 m/19.107 ft. Hiking details: Climbing time: 6-8 hours ascending and 3-4 descending. Vertical gain climbing: 1,131 m/3,711 ft. Accommodation: Casa Ilayaku or similar.
Today will be a relaxing day to recover and prepare for the upcoming Cotopaxi summit attempt.
You will have the opportunity to explore the foothills of the volcano in Cotopaxi National Park and visit the Limpiopungo (3,800 m.) area. At the pond, you may relax, enjoy the scenery, or take an easy walk. If skies are clear, you will be able to see the route you will be climbing the next day. You will also have the chance to review your gear and plan for tomorrow’s climb. You will go to sleep early in preparation for another early start the next day. Accommodation: Tambopaxi or similar.
Cotopaxi Volcano is the second highest active volcano in the world and, with its nearly-perfect conical shape, it attracts thousands of visitors each year.
You will start in the early hours of the day with a short drive from Tambopaxi to the parking lot of the volcano (4,600 m/15,180 ft.): the starting point of the climb.
The first part of the ascent will be on a somewhat gentle, mostly rocky slope. Once you reach the glacier, the climb gets steeper and you will need to use your technical equipment. After a few hours of ascent in the glacier, you will reach the top of Cotopaxi and will be rewarded with incredible views and a wonderful feeling of pride and accomplishment, as you stand on top of Ecuador’s second highest peak.
The descent follows the same trail, and, after a quick rest, you will continue south to Chimborazo Lodge, located at 4000 meters of altitude, at the foot of the Chimborazo volcano, in the historic Totorillas Valley, just a few steps away from the Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve. Altitudes: Parking lot: 4,600m/15,180ft Summit Cotopaxi: 5,897 m/ 19,347ft Hiking details: Climbing time: 5-7 hours ascending, 3-4 hours descending. Vertical gain- climbing: 1,297 m/4,280 ft Accommodation: Chimborazo Lodge/Estrella de Chimborazo or similar
Today you will have another resting day to enjoy the peaceful paramo ecosystem, read a book and recharge for the last ascent. Chimborazo Lodge: 4000 m/13,123 ft. Accommodation: Chimborazo Lodge/Estrella de Chimborazo or similar
After lunch we will travel up to the Chimborazo Park where we will begin our ascent to the highcamp at 5,400 / 17,820 ft. which will take us approximately two hours.We will have time to rest in our tents and then have dinner in the dome tent before going to restfor the summit attempt the next day. Accommodation: Campo de Altura Chimborazo ( 5,400 m)
From the high camp, it normally takes 6 hours to get to the Whymper summit. Once you arrive, you will enjoy one of the most incredible views in Ecuador. To the east and southeast, you can see El Altar, the most difficult mountain to climb in Ecuador, as well as the active volcanoes Tungurahua and Sangay. To the north and northeast, you will see the snow-capped peaks of Ilinizas, Antisana and Cotopaxi, where you were just a couple of days ago! You will then descend back to the high camp to rest for an hour before descending further down to the parking lot and, from there, drive back to Quito (approx. 4 hours’ drive) Altitudes: High Camp: 5,400 m/17,820 ft. Summit Chimborazo: 6,263 m/20,547 ft. Hiking details: Climbing time: 6 hours ascending, 3-4 descending Vertical gain climbing: 1,260 m/4,135 ft. Accommodation: La Casona de la Ronda or similar, in Quito Optional Chimborazo Second Summit Attempt extra day. If for any reason, you were not able to reach the Summit the day before, a second attempt can be done. ( extra cost applies)
In the morning, you will visit the colonial temples and monasteries of Quito: this urban jewel, declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. The tour will include visits to the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, La Compania de Jesus, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building, the Archbishop’s Palace, as well as the Church of San Francisco, one of the greatest religious buildings of the New World.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flights back home. Recommended departure time: after 20:00 pm. Note: One group airport transfer is incluye in the price. Additional can be arranged at an extra cost
