Cotopaxi (5.897mts) & Chimborazo s (6.268mts) Summit

Transcription

1 Cotopaxi (5.897mts) & Chimborazo s (6.268mts) Summit Day 1: Arrive in Quito, transfer to hotel. Day 2: Acclimatisation day in Quito (city tour) Duration: 3 4 hours Enjoy a leisurely tour through Colonial Quito taking place in the most important and famous sights. You will visit the Plaza de Independencia overlooked by the Parliament Building, scene of many revolutions in Ecuador s brief but dramatic history. Included in the itinerary is a visit to the Compañia and San Francisco churches with their impressive façades and gold leaf covered interiors that have changed little since the days of the Spanish. The tour is completed with a drive up to the Panecillo hill where you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Quito and the surrounding mountains (O/N in Quito).

2 Day 3: Pasochoa Volcano (4,200m 13,780 ft) Pasochoa is an extinct volcano located about 1 hour drive south of Quito. The current mountain form is a collapsed crater with a semicircular shape. Lava and ash increased the fertility of the ground in the Pasochoa region, encouraging the growth of a vibrant forest ecosystem. The mountain has a wonderful variety of wildlife, including pumas, foxes, skunks, a very diverse collection of birds, and a wonderful collection of plants. The trek up to the summit and back takes approximately 6-7 hours. Drive back to Quito. (O/N in Quito).

3 Day 4: Ruco Pichincha (4,698m 15,4135 ft) Rucu Pichincha is a volcano that sits just outside of Quito. To get to the hiking trail, we drive from the hotel to the Teleferico s parking lot. We take the Teleferico up to 12,943 ft (3,945 meters). From there, hiking Rucu Pichincha will take 3-4 hours. During the hike you get some of the best views in Quito.

4 Day 5: Iliniza Norte (5,126m 16,817 ft) Start early in the morning after breakfast and drive south towards Los Ilinizas. Once we reach the nearest town to the mountain, el Chaupi, and continue until we reach La Virgen Base camp, located at the base of Los Ilinizas (Iliniza Sur and Iliniza Norte). We start trekking towards Iliniza Norte s summit, reaching a ridge where there is a light possibility of snow in which case happens crampons and ice axes will be used. After the ridge (5,100m), you walk along the mountain to its end and then summit via a rocky gully. After descending, we drive towards Cotopaxi National Park. (trek 5-7 hour approx..). Overnight at Tambopaxi Mountain Lodge. (3,720m 12,204 ft).

5 Day 6: Rest day Cotopaxi National Park / Inca ruins El Manantial Today you will have a free day with an option of a gentle hike towards a pre-incan archeological and a walk around El Manantial (spring water). Overnight at Tambopaxi lodge (3,720m 12,204 ft). Day 7: Cotopaxi Jose Ribas Refugio (4,800m 15,748ft) This morning we drive for approximately minutes towards the Cotopaxi mountain hut, to the car parking area at 4,550m, then you will trek your way up to the Jose Ribas refuge at 4,800m, involving approx. 1 hour of hard walking. You will have lunch by midday, followed by your ice climbing practice in the afternoon. Dinner will be served early in the evening so you can go to bed early in order to acclimatise and stay warm. Approx. 2 hour trek. Overnight at Jose Ribas mountain hut.

6 Day 8: Summit Cotopaxi (5,897m 19,347 ft) You will leave the refuge at around midnight and begin your climb towards Cotopaxi s summit, which will take about 8 hours of hard climb by steep glaciers. This is a tough semi-technical climb and the weather can be extremely cold. You will be using crampons and ice axes, and roped up to professional mountain guides. It is tough to reach the summit but absolutely rewarding and with breathtaking views from the summit. If the weather is clear you will be able to see the fantastic 800m/2,625 ft. wide crater and most or even all the snow covered peaks in Ecuador. After few minutes at the summit enjoying such accomplishment, you will then start your descent (3 4 hours) back to the mountain hut in time for a nice soup. Then down to the parking area and drive south (2 /12 3 hours) towards the town of Baños, for overnight. Cotopaxi is blessed with the highest number of clear days per year in the Ecuadorian Andes. Climbs can be attempted year round. June and July are the driest months, but extremely high winds blowing for days on end are not uncommon. December and January are almost as dry and much less windy.

7 Day 9: Relax day at Baños This will be a day for rest and relax where you can visit the town of Baños with its thermal waters and/or go to the beautiful waterfall Pailon del Diablo (O/N in Baños).

8 Day 10 & 11: Chimborazo s Summit (6,268 m 20,564 ft) After an early breakfast, drive (3 hours approx.) to Chimborazo s mountain hut (4,800m/15,748 ft) in time for lunch. Rest in the afternoon, early dinner, go to bed. Start climbing at about 11 pm. (9-10 hours approx.) to reach the summit. Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador and one of the highest in South America. It still retains the distinction of being the point on the earth s surface which is farthest from its center. The climb is a real challenge and offers climbers the opportunity to break the magical 6,000m (19,685 ft) barrier. The descent will take you back to the mountain hut to enjoy a hearty warm soup. Drive back to Quito (4-4 ½ hours). Overnight at local hotel.

9 End of Services. Equipment: all the equipment such as crampons, helmets, harnesses, boots, head flashlight and ice axes can be rented from the local supplier. Clothing: it is recommended to bring your own clothing such as water resistant pants, jackets, thermal underwear, since sometimes it is hard to find the appropriate size for rent. The itinerary may change due to unusual weather patterns, natural events, the strength of the group and so on. We will do our very best to keep to the set itinerary however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances your expedition leader will have the final word