Climbing Cotopaxi and climbing Chimborazo
climbing tour with Mountain Guides in 9 days
This 9 day climbing tour combines our two highest and most impressive peaks, Mt. Cotopaxi (5897 m) and Mt. Chimborazo (6267 m), with an acclimatization tour, which includes Rucu Pichincha (4698 m), Pasachoa (4200 m) and Iliniza Norte (5116 m). During the excursion we spend a free day in Baños. There you have the possibility to relax in the famous hot springs, do some biking or horseback riding or to visit one of the plenty waterfalls of the surroundings. All in all you pass one week of adventure in the highlands, that you surely won't forget.
Day 1: Quito - Pasochoa (4.200 m)- Quito
We'll leave Quito in the morning by car, heading south for the Avenida de los Volcanoes. During this 2 hour drive you can enjoy beautiful views on the typical landscape and villages of the highlands. The ascent of this extinct volcano will take us about 4 hours. On the top we'll have lunch and above all a great sight on Cotopaxi and the other nearby volcanoes. After descending we'll return to Quito. (BL)
Day 2: Quito - Guagua Pichincha (4794 m) - Quito
We'll leave Quito in the morning and drive by car to the Lloa, situated 10 kilometers west from the capital. From there it will take us approximately 3 and half hours to reach the summit. Later in the afternoon we'll be back in Quito. (B - BL)
Day 3: Quito - Nuevos Horizontes hut (4750 m)
We will leave Quito in the morning and after driving 2 hours we will be in a place called La Virgen. From that place we start a hike of 3 hours approximately, until the Nuevos Horizonte hut (4750 m), where we will relax, dinner and prepare our gear to climb the next day. (B - BL - D)
Day 4: Illinizas Refuge - Summit Illiniza Norte (5116 m) - Hotel
We'll get up at the break of dawn and after a climb of 4 hours we'll reach the summit. On the way back we'll relax a bit in the refuge and after the descend to "la Virgen" our car will take us to Hotel Cuello de Luna, our hotel which is situated in the Cotopaxi National Park. (B - BL-D)
Day 5: Hotel Cuello de Luna - Cotopaxi Refuge (4800 m)
Our car will bring us to the parking space at 4600 m. From there it will take us another hour to reach the Jose Ribas refuge (4800 m). There we'll do some exercises in the glacier, have supper and prepare the ascent. (B - BL - D)
Day 6: Refuge - Summit Cotopaxi (5897 m) - Cuello de Luna hotel
At midnight we'll get up and start the climb, which will take us 7 hours. From the summit you'll have a marvelous view on the crater, with its diameter of 800 m and sourrounding volcanoes and peaks. Around Midday we'll be back in the refuge and we'll come back to Cuello de Luna hotel. (B - BL-D)
Day 7: Travel to Baños
After a delicious breakfast we will continue our journey to the city of BaƱos, where we will take a city tour and visit one of the famous waterfalls "El Pailon del Diablo". In the afternoon you can relax in the hot springs (B)
Day 8: Baños - High camp on Chimborazo
Our transport will leave us at the Hermanos Carrel refuge at 4800 m. From this point we will begin to ascend until we reach our high camp at 5300m. where a delicious hot tea awaits us. Here we will have the opportunity to relax and prepare the equipment for the ascent, dinner and rest.(B - BL - D)
Day 9: High camp- Summit Chimborazo (6268 m) - Quito
Shortly after midnight we drink hot tea and eat something. Well prepared and well acclimatized, we begin the ascent to the highest peak in Ecuador. After 5 to 6 hours we reach the 6228 m high Vor Veintimilla peak. We traversed the long summit plateau, crossed a trough, and finally reached Whymper's summit at 6,268 m, the closest point on earth to the sun. For the descent we plan about 4 to 5 hours. Then we will return to Quito. (B - BL)
This tour is available as fixed departure tour: >> please check our fixed departures! and also as private tours.
>> For prices please contact us!
Our services include:
- Private transportation to the whole tour
- Professional guides ASEGUIM member (mountain guide ratio 2 climbers - 1 guide in Cotopaxi and Chimborazo)
- Meals on the mountains as mentioned above (B: Breakfast; BL: Box Lunch; D: Dinner),
- Accommodation in Nuevos Horizontes, José Ribas and Hermanos Carrel huts
- Accommodation in hotels ( (double beds & breakfast included)
- National Park Entrance fees and patents
- Technical mountain gear (double plastic boots until (# 12,5), crampons, ice axe, harness and helmet)
- City tour in Baños (thermal waters and cascades)
Our services do not include:
- Personal mountain gear (sleeping bags, mittens, sun glasses, head lamp, water thermos bottle, etc)
- Lunch and dinner in hotels
- Extra drinks in the huts
- Travel insurance
- Tips