Chimborazo and Cotopaxi

Mountain System, country - Andes, Ecuador.

Season - All year round

Dates, duration – 15 or more days

Difficulty of the route - Moderate

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Quito, accommodation, walking around, acquaintance with Quito.

Day 2 – Taking The TelefériQo (4th highest gondola lift in the world rising from 3,117 m (10,226 ft) to 3,945 m (12,943 ft) right from the edge of the city, we start our climb up to Pichincha Volcano (4700m). It is an active volcano, with fantastic view on Quito. In October 1999, the volcano erupted and covered the city with several inches of ash. Overnight in hotel.

Day 3 – Ride a jeep to Chilcabamba mountain hut.

Day 4 – Climb Ruminahui Central (4600m), overnight in Chilkabamba.

Day 5 – Ride a jeep and 1 hour hike to Hose Rivas refuge (4800m), rest.

Day 6 – Climb Cotopaxi (5897m). Starting at midnight or a bit later, in the morning you climb Cotopaxi – the highest free standing active volcano in the world. Cotopaxi climb is also interesting because this summit is the second most remote point from the center of the Earth (after Chimborazo). The same day we decent to jeep and ride to Banos, overnight in hotel. The town is a popular tourist area with both Ecuadorian and foreign visitors though volcanic activity from Tungurahua exist and it forced an evacuation from Baños (photo) during 1999/2000. They come for the Basilica, the famous hot springs, the scenery and the accessability to the jungle via Puyo and Misahuallí.

Tungurahua, also known as “The Black Giant,” is the largest volcano in Ecuador yet the most easily climbed, since Baños is already set on its hillside. Periodic drills keep residents and visitors aware of the potential risks. Or reserve day for Cotopaxi climb.

Day 7 – Reserve day for Cotopaxi climb.

Day 8 – Arrive to Chimborazo mountain hut (the Carrel Hut, 4850m), one hour hike to the Whymper Hut (5050m). Rest.

Day 9 – Climb Chimborazo. Starting at midnight or a bit later, in the morning you climb Chimborazo which is more remote from the Earth center than Everest! So it is the closest point to the Sun on our planet. As the supposed descend is in late morning, the same day we decent to jeep and ride to Quito. Overnight in hotel.

Day 10 – Rest in Quito or reserve day for Chimborazo climb.

Day 11 – Visiting the Equator line – “Mitad del Mundo”. Starting from Quito by car/minibus, we arrive to the “Mitad del Mundo” museum complex (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitad_del_Mundo). Transfer to Mindo. Overnight in Lodge.

Day 12 – Early morning start for birds sightseeing, trek in the cloud forest, rafting. Of the approximately 1600 species of birds in Ecuador, Mindo is home to at least 428 of them. It is a place famous for its prolific bird watching opportunities and is visited by people from around the world who come specifically to watch birds.

Day 13 – Canopy, visit Mindo Butterfly farm.

Day 14 – Leaving to Quito

Day 15 – Flight home

Possible extension:

Galapagoses.

Included:

Leader support during the program
Mountain guides (1 to 5-6 people on Pichincha and Ruminahui, 1 to 3 people on Chimborazo and Cotopaxi)
All the accomodations by the program
All the transfers by the program (including cable lift)
All the meals in the mountains, breakfasts in the cities and villages
National park fees by the program
Group equipment (ropes, stoves)

Not included: