Ecuador Summits

Welcome to Ecuador, and the city of Quito, which at 2,800 m. (9,200ft, is the second highest capital city in the world!
A representative will meet you at the airport to assist with your luggage and transfer to your hotel.
Depending on the time of your arrival you may wish to explore your new surroundings, or simply relax and prepare for the big adventure ahead.

Accommodation: La Casona de la Ronda or similar.

Note: one group airport transfer is arranged. Additional can be arranged at extra cost.

Today, you will hike your first peak in Ecuador, Volcano Rucu Pichincha (meaning Grandfather Volcano in indigenous Quechua). After a hearty breakfast this morning, you will head to Quito’s famous Telefériqo (3,117 m/10,226 ft.), which is one of the highest cable cars in the world and will take you to Cruz Loma (3,945 m/12,943 ft.). The Telefériqo allows for a 360- degree view of the city and on a clear day you can see Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Cayambe, Antisana, Illinizas and Corazon volcanoes.
From the top of the Telefériqo, it takes approximately three hours to hike to the Rucu Pichincha summit with magnificent views on display throughout the trek. The hiking trail traverses along the base of the cliffs to a sandy slope, which leads to the summit. Once you reach the top, enjoy the feeling of success and accomplishment having summited your first volcano in Ecuador. The hike back down returns on the same path, and the Telefériqo will take you back down to Quito.This hike will also provide you with an opportunity to talk about what types of food and nutrition you should take on a high altitude climb, as well as the importance of hydration.
You will return to Quito this evening where you can rest up and prepare to head to the Ecuadorian highlands tomorrow.

Altitudes:
Quito: 2,850 m/9,350 ft.
Gondola upper station: 3,966 m/13,012 ft.
Summit Ruco Pichincha: 4,698 m/15,413 ft.

Vertical gain during the day: 1,848 m/6,063 ft.
Vertical gain climbing: 732 m/2,401 ft.
Meals included: B,L
Accommodation: La Casona de la Ronda or similar.

Today, you will take a scenic drive into the Northern Andes of Ecuador, to Mojanda Lake and Fuya Fuya Volcano, around 2 hours from Quito. Fuya Fuya is an inactive stratovolcano of the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes in northern Ecuador. It is a short, but steep and challenging hike to the top, 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 awesome views of the surrounding countryside, Mojanda Lake glistening below as well as the surrounding peaks of Imbabura, Cotacachi and Cayambe. You will then descend along the steep east side of the summit back down to Mojanda Lake.
From Mojanda Lake, you will drive south to the village of Cayambe, which sits at the base of Cayambe Volcano.

Altitude:
Fuya Fuya: 4263 m/13986 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,909 ft.
Meals included: B,L,D
Accommodation: Refugio Oleas Berge or similar.

Cayambe is famous for being the highest point in the world crossed by the Equator and the only point on the Equator with snow cover. The refuge where you slept last night is a perfect base for some glacier and skills practice.
From the hut, you will take an easy 20-min descent to the glacier where you will test out your mountain equipment on the glacier. This is a great place to practice using ice axes, self arrest, and crampons on different slopes. Take this opportunity to get used to your equipment and build your confidence for tomorrow’s climb to the summit. This afternoon you will return to the refuge to rest and prepare for tomorrow.

Altitudes:

Cayambe Hut: 4,658 m/15,282 ft.
Cayambe Glacier: 4,898 m/16,070 ft.
Vertical gain during the day: 1,246 m/4,088 ft.
Vertical gain climbing: 240 m/788 ft.
Meals included: B,BL,D
Accommodation: Refugio Oleas Berge or similar.

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 be sure to take all possible safety precautions and you can put into practice everything you have learnt to execute a safe climb.
The climb starts with an ascent of a rocky ridge from where you will descend briefly before climbing again, this time up to the glacier. Once on the glacier you will head towards a rocky outcrop where you will turn left toward the summit. The last part of the climb will involve navigating through a series of crevasses to reach the amazing Cayambe summit.
Although you will be tired, you will also be very proud! Take this time to enjoy your feeling of accomplishment as you witness the morning sun cast it’s light over the Andes and Ecuadorian highlands. You will have the chance to see magnificent views, including all the way to the Amazon Rainforest, as well as other Andean peaks such as Antisana and Cotopaxi.
You will descend the same way back down to the hut where you have a chance to briefly rest and refuel before heading to the lodge.

Altitudes:
Cayambe Hut: 4,658 m/15,282 ft.
Summit Cayambe: 5,789 m/18,993 ft.
Vertical gain during the day: 1,131 m/3,711 ft.
Vertical gain climbing: 1,131 m/3,711 ft.
Meals included: B,L,D
Accommodation: Casa Ilayaku or similar

Today will be a relaxed day to rest and recover in preparation for tomorrow’s Cotopaxi summit attempt.

You will have the opportunity to explore the foothills of the volcano in Cotopaxi National Park by visiting Limpiopungo Lake (3,800 m.).
On the drive there you will pass by some of the largest pine tree plantations in the country, followed by patches with little vegetation—just rocks and boulders remaining from the eruptions of the volcano. At the lake you may simply take in the scenery, or take an easy walk around the lake to stretch your legs. Just like Cayambe, you will have a chance to review your equipment this afternoon, practice techniques and review the plan for tomorrow’s climb.
Bedtime is early in preparation for another early start tomorrow.

Altitudes:
Tambopaxi: 3,766m/12,356ft
Vertical gain during the day: 766 m/2,513 ft
Vertical gain climbing: 0m/0ft
Meals included: B,L,D
Accommodation: Tambopaxi or similar

Today is the day you summit Cotopaxi Volcano, which as the second highest active volcano in the world and with a near perfect conical shape, attracts visitors from all over the world.
Another early start and a short drive up the road of the volcano will take you to the starting point of the climb (4,600 m/15,000 ft.).
The first part of the ascent will be on a gentler, mostly scree slope. Once you reach the glacier the climb gets steeper and you will need to use your technical equipment. After a grueling few hours ascending the glacier you will reach the top of Cotopaxi and be rewarded with incredible views and an awesome feeling standing on top of Ecuador’s second highest peak.
The descent will follow the same trail back down, and after a quick rest and refuel stop you will continue south to Hacienda Abraspungo, located in Riobamba, the closest city to Chimborazo Volcano.

Altitudes:
Park land Cotopaxi: 4,643m/15,233ft
Summit Cotopaxi: 5,897 m/ 19,347ft
Vertical gain during the day: 2,131 m/6,991ft
Vertical gain climbing: 1,254 m/4,114 ft
Meals included: B,BL
Accommodation: Chimborazo Lodge/Estrella de Chimborazo or similar.

Today is another relaxed day where you will have some time to enjoy the beautiful gardens of the Lodge, before driving to Chimborazo National Park and the refuge.

Altitude:
Chimborazo Lodge: 4000 m/13,123 ft.
Meals included: B,L,D
Accommodation: Chimborazo Lodge/Estrella de Chimborazo or similar

The Carrel refuge is at 4,800 m. (15,744 ft.) You will spend the afternoon resting, practicing with your equipment, and planning tomorrow’s climb for your greatest feat yet: Chimborazo Volcano. Chimborazo is the highest peak in Ecuador, and it is also the tallest mountain in the world when measured from the center of the earth! Everest only wins when measured from sea level.

Meals included: B,BL,D
Accommodation: Refugio del Chimborazo or similar.

You will have another early start to begin your climb at midnight, following the Stübel glacier until it joins the Castle Saddle (5,500 m. /18,044 ft.). This new variant to the normal Castle Ridge route is free from the danger of rocks falling, making it a much safer line. Chimborazo has five ‘summits’ in total: the Whymper (or Ecuador) at 6,310 m., the Veintimilla at 6,267 m., the North at 6,200 m., the Central (or Polytechnic) at around 6,000 m., and the Eastern (or Nicolás Martinéz) of approximately 5,500 m. You will climb to the Whymper summit.

From the Stübel Camp, it normally takes eight 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, is 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! Following your achievement, you will descend back to Stübel Camp, approximately three hours. Once back in the Refuge, you will have the opportunity to rest and relax for the rest of the day.

Altitudes:
Stübel Camp: 5,050 m/16,567 ft.
Summit Chimborazo: 6,310 m/20,702 ft.

Vertical gain during the day: 1,260 m/4,135 ft.
Vertical gain climbing: 1,260 m/4,135 ft.
Meals included: B,BL,D
Accommodation: Campo de Altura Chimborazo or similar.

Today is an opportunity to summit Chimborazo again, if there were any issues or reasons that you were not able to summit yesterday. If yesterday’s summit was successful, you will have the day to explore more of Chimborazo National Park, and relax after a long climbing trip.
This afternoon you will transfer back to Quito.

Altitudes:
Quito: 2,850 m/9,350 ft.
Vertical gain during the day: 100 m/328 ft.
Vertical gain of sleeping elevation: 100 m/328 ft.
Meals included: B,L

Accommodation: Wyndham Quito Airport or similar. ( not included)

Today you will depart from Quito back home.