Ecuador is one of the world's most enchanting and varied countries. Its rich biodiversity is characterised by a preponderance of species. An ornithologist's delight, it has more bird species crammed into an area the size of France, than in the entire continental USA. It is also home to extraordinary fauna, with more than 3000 species of orchid alone. One of the world's hotspots of volcanic activity (Sangay, Tungurahua and Guagua Pinchincha are all active at time of writing), the area provides for a fascinating and diverse environment to climb in, with ascents sometimes leaving forested steppes and onto snow ridges and then glaciated valleys. Climbing four peaks in Ecuador is more akin to undertaking four separate expedition ascents, with each peak posing a different set of objectives to be overcome, and each being quite geologically unique
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Quito, met at airport and transfer to hotel. Day sightseeing and evening meal. Included: (B).
Day 2: Drive north to the market town of Otavalo, overnight in the historic and plush Hacienda Cusin. Included: (B).
Day 3: Drive onto the flanks of the dormant volcano Imbabura, ascend via the easy angled ridge route for spectacular views across San Pablo del Lago (lake) Overnight hotel Imbabura Village. Included: (B).
Day 4: Drive south to Quito, ascend Guagua Pinchincha in 4WD vehicles, overnight in refuge for acclimatization. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Touring in Cotopaxi National Park Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Touring in Cotopaxi National Park. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: Ascent of Illinisas Sur, a stunning face and ridge climb above the snow line on this dormant volcano, overnight in climbers’ refuge. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: Descend and drive to Cotopaxi Volcano, the worlds’ highest active volcano (19,350ft). Ascend to the climbers’ refuge and overnight. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: Rest and acclimatization day at the refuge. At midnight we head off for the summit for a dawn arrival. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: Around 5:30am we should reach the enormous and stunning lip of the crater itself, the views to all sides are stunning and expansive, not to mention the view down the crater - an enormous 300m drop into a steaming abyss. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 11: Descend to Quito. Included:(B).
Day 12: Rest day in Quito, day free for personal activities. Included:(B).
Day 13: Drive to Chimborazo National Park. Overnight in tents. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 14: today we trek the altiplano high steppes, absorbing the sublime high altitude scenery and gaining even further valuable acclimatization for the ascent tomorrow of the massive peak of Chimborazo (6310m) Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 15: 3 days are set aside for the climb of this enormous Himalayan scale peak. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 16: 3 days are set aside for the climb of this enormous Himalayan scale peak. Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 17: 3 days are set aside for the climb of this enormous Himalayan scale peak Included: (B), (L), (D).
Day 18: After Chimborazo we descend south and take in the local village lifestyle, relaxing around landlocked lakes amidst a picture perfect background of peaks and volcanoes. Included: (B).
Day 19: Back to Quito for a final day of sightseeing and shopping before our final team dinner. Included: (B).
Day 20: Fly out for home or onward destinations. Included: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
All services included; transfers, 4WD vehicles, park fees, hut fees, all food in the field, climbing guide, hotel and tented accomodation.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Ecuador
Mountain/Rock Climbing
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
| Check out these similar vacation offers: |
|
|
