High Summits Ecuador Mountain Climbing Tour Operator Ecuador | Ecuador Mountain Climbing Tours - Ecuador mountain climbing information | climb Chimborazo climb Cotopaxi Cayambe Iliniza Sangay Altar Antisana with certified mountain guides

This tour will show you the whole variety of Ecuador, leading you from the highlands, with their beautiful mountains, lagoons and colorful markets to the rain forest and Galapagos where you have the possibility to explore the abundant flora and fauna. In 22 days you climb accompanied by our mountain guides Mount Pichincha, Mount Cotopaxi and Mount Chimborazo, ride on the famous train, to the Devil's Nose, visit the indigenous market of Otavalo, after the highland and climbing part of this tour you are invited to enjoy our extensions: an adventure trip in the Jungle and a pleasure trip to the enchanted Galapagos Island. The perfect combination of cultural sights and adventure.

Day 1: Quito – Hotel
Day 2: City Tour Quito – Middle of the World- Hotel
Day 3: Hotel- Otavalo- Hike in Cuicocha 3.246 m.- San Clemente
Day 4: San Clemente – Imbabura Summit 4.630 m. - Quito
Day 5: Quito - Guagua Pichincha 4.784 m.– Hotel
Day 6: Hotel - Iliniza Norte Summit (5116 m) – Hotel
Day 7: Hotel – José Ribas Hut (4800 m)
Day 8: Hut –Cotopaxi Summit (5897 m) –Cuello de Luna Hotel
Day 9: Hotel – Quilotoa – Alausi
Day 10: Alausi – Train to Alausí – Hermanos Carrel Hut
Day 11: Hut – High Altitud Camp (5300 m)
Day 12: Hut – Chimborazo Summit (6267 m) – Baños – Hotel
Day 13: Baños - Quito

Galápagos Extension (departures on Fritags)
Day 14: Flight Quito – Baltra – Mosquera
Day 15: Isabela island (Vicente Roca point) – Fernandina island (Espinoza point)
Day 16: Isabela (Urbina bay)- Tagus cove
Day 17: Santiago island (Egas port- Sombrero chino)
Day 18:Santa Cruz island (Charles Darwin research station) – Baltra- quito

Jungle Extension (departures on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays)
Day 19: Flight Quito - Lago Agrio - Cuyabeno Reserve
Day 20: Hike in the forest - butterflies watching and swim.
Day 21: Siona Community (Tarapuy)
Day 22: Bird watching and return to Lago Agrio to come back to Quito

Detailed itinerary

Day 2: City Tour – Middle of the World Hotel
We'll start our tour with the visit of the main attractions of Quito, and continue heading the northern part of the city up to the “Middle of the World City”, where the equatorial line passes through. We will visit the Anthropologic Museum and walk along the 00°00’ latitude line. (B)

Day 3: Hotel –Otavalo – Hike in Cuicocha 3.246m – San Clemente
Trip to Otavalo to visit its colorful and famous indigenous market, where we’ll have the chance to buy souvenirs to take home. In the afternoon we will do a hike for approximately 4 hours around the Cuicocha Lagoon, also known as “Lake of the Gods”. Then we will head towards San Clemente, where we’ll lodge in a typical place of the area. (B - BL-D)

Day 4: San Clemente – Imbabura summit 4.630 m. – Quito
We will begin our hike at 7 am and, after climbing through the ridge for 5 hours, we will reach the summit. The descent will take us 3 hours. Return to Quito. (B – BL)

Day 05: Quito – Guagua Pichincha (4784 m) - Hotel
We'll ascend the Guagua Pichincha, a volcanic crater. After a hike of 3 hours we'll reach the summit. We'll continue our trip to the mountain hut Cuello de Luna, where we’ll spend the night. (B - BL)

Day 6: Hotel – Iliniza North summit (5116 m) – Hostel
On this day we’ll wake up very early at 5:00 am. Our transportation will take us to “La Virgen” area, where our hike will begin. After approximately 3 hours 30 minutes we will arrive to the Nuevos Horizontes hut, located at 4600 m, between the summits of Iliniza North and South. After a short recess, we will continue hiking the Iliniza North, from where we will be able to observe the Antisana, Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo peaks. We will rest a bit at the hut and then we’ll continue to the acclimatizing center Cuello de Luna Hotel, where we’ll spend the night. (B – BL)

Day 7: Hotel - José Ribas Hut (4800 m)
Drive to the Cotopaxi parking lot. After a hike of 45 min. we'll reach the José Ribas Hut. If the weather is good we'll do another hike to the glacier in order to practice the use of the snow equipment. (B - BL - D)

Day 8: Hut - Cotopaxi Summit (5897 m) - Cuello de Luna Hotel
At midnight, after breakfast, we'll start the ascent, and after 7hours we'll reach the summit. From there we'll have a fantastic view on the crater, with its diameter of 800m. We'll continue our tour to the Cuello de Luna Hotel. (B - BL)

Day 9: Hotel – Quilotoa – Alausi
After breakfast, very early in the morning, our transportation will take us to the Quilotoa Lagoon, where we’ll do a 2-hour hike. Then we’ll continue to Alausí, where we’ll spend the night. (B – BL)

Day 10: Hotel - Train to Alausí - Hermanos Carrel Hut (4800m)
We follow the trail Alausí -Sibambe by train, which drives around the famous Devil's Nose. The departures are from Tuesday to Sunday. In the afternoon we'll take off to the Chimborazo hut where we will spend the night at the Hermanos Carrel hut. (B - D)

Day 11: Hut - High Altitude Campament (5300m)
Today we climb to the high camp at 5300m. Our porters carry the material group, individual team will take each person. Install our tents and prepare for the night. (B -BL- D)

Day 12: Hut – Chimborazo Summit (6310 m) - Baños - Hotel
Day summit. We climb about 6-8 hours on ice and snow to reach the highest peak. Then we return to the Hermanos Carrel hut. Also during the descent, the material group is supported by our porters. Trip to Baños and overnight in a hotel. (B - BL)

Day 13: Baños - Quito
This picturesque town offers you several possibilities to spend an unforgettable day. You can relax in the famous hot springs, visit some of the numerous waterfalls, such as the Pailon del Diablo, or do some biking or horseback riding. We’ll return to Quito in the afternoon (B)

We offer sea tours (cruises), which means you will sleep on the boat. Here you can choose between 4, 5 and 8- days tours in economic, tourist, first class or luxury yachts.

Day 14: Quito - Baltra - Mosquera
AM Depart from Quito or Guayaquil to Galápagos
BALTRA ISLAND: This Island was a strategic point during the Second World War. In this beautiful Island is located the main airport of the Galapagos Islands where tourists and colonists arrive and depart. When arriving at Baltra Airport, our naturalist English speaking guide will assist you.
PM: MOSQUERA: After lunch, we'll land at Mosquera Island located between North Seymour and Baltra. The island consists of a long narrow stretch of white sand, rocks, and tide pools. It was formed by geological uplift. For this reason, the island has a flat look, rather than the conical shape of the volcanically formed islands. Additionally, it is a great place for snorkeling, strolling on the beach, and enjoying the natural life without the crowds commonly seen at many other popular islands. This island is not only home of a huge population of sea lions, but also home of many shorebirds. (B - D)

Day 15: Isabela Island – Fernandina Island
AM: VICENTE ROCA POINT (ISABELA ISLAND): After breakfast, panga ride visit to Vicente Roca Point. Comprised of two separate coves, this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life, observing Seahorses, Sea Turtles, Rays, Puffer Fish, the strange yet fascinating Mola-mola (or sunfish), we see also Penguins, Blue-Footed Boobies and Nazca Boobies. Lunch on board.
PM: ESPINOZA POINT (FERNANDINA ISLAND): In the afternoon disembarkation (dry landing). Walk (600m. round trip, 1½h, flat, sandy and rocky path) to see Lava Flows, a colony of Marine Iguanas (Resting time: January to June), Penguins, Pelicans and colonies of Cormorants, Lava Cactus. Time for snorkeling. Briefing and dinner on board. (B - BL - D)

Day 16: Isabela Island
AM: ISABELA (URBINA BAY): After breakfast, disembarkation at Urbina Bay (wet landing), located in the west of Isabela Island, at the food of the Alcedo volcano. Walk on a sandy and rocky defined path (1 km. round trip. 2h, flat), observing calcareous organisms (shells, corals) exposed above water. In this area we see a large colony of land Iguanas, Darwin's finches, Giant Tortoises (between June – September) and Flightless Cormorants. After the hike, time for snorkeling along the shoreline where guests may observe Penguins and Flightless Cormorants.
PM: TAGUS COVE (ISABELA ISLAND): After lunch visit to Tagus Cove that was a port where whaling ships arrived and left their ships’ names in a cave in 1800. In the high part is the Darwin Lake, a round salt water crater. Disembark (dry landing). Walk begins from the shore by a wooden stairway that rises to the dusty trail passing through Palo Santo forest to reach the Darwin Lake. Continue on the trail around the lake through the dry vegetation zone. Panoramic views to the Darwin and Wolf volcanoes. (2kms round trip, 2h / starts at 0m, ascending to 50mts). Later, panga ride through the cliffs to observe the historical graffiti, Penguins, Flightless Cormorants, Boobies, Pelicans and Sally Lightfoot Crabs. Snorkeling time in the cove. Briefing and dinner on board. (B - BL - D)

Day 17: Santiago Island
AM: EGAS PORT: Breakfast. The visit to Puerto Egas begins with a wet landing on the dark sand beach of James Bay. Walk along a rocky trail to the salt crater (1.7km. round trip, 1½ h, start at 0m, ascend 30m), observing Darwin Finches, the endemic Galapagos Hawks, Marine Iguanas, Sally Light Root Crabs and Fur Seals and Sea Lions. Time for swimming and snorkeling.
PM: SOMBRERO CHINO: After lunch, disembark (wet landing) for a short walk of 200m. (30mins. round trip, flat and rocky), observing lava tunnels, lava cactus, Galápagos Sesuvium. Time to swim and snorkel. Return to the yacht. Dinner and briefing for next day. (B - BL - D)

Day 18: Santa Cruz Island – Baltra
AM: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND (CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION): After breakfast, walk for about 20 minutes to the Charles Darwin Station, to observe the Galapagos Giant Turtles breading. The Darwin Station is part of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galápagos Islands, an international non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research in the Galápagos Islands since 1959. After this visit transfer to Baltra Airport by bus for your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito. This is the end of the trip.
(The captain reserves the right to change the Itinerary due to circumstances beyond his control) (B )

We offer several kinds of tours to the jungle of 3, 4 and 5 days to different destinations.

Located 15 minutes away from the Laguna Grande, on the banks of Cuyabeno river, at Cuyabeno Reserve. It is the ideal place to see the protected forest of Cuyabeno, which is crowded with wildlife, you can also swim at the Laguna Grande. Staying in the lodge offers you a permanent possibility to do the activities.
The lodge has 5 cabins that can lodge 40 people, each cabin is built in a traditional rustic style with thatched roof and enlightened with candles, which, of course, brings you into a whole jungle experience.

Itinerary

Day 19: Flight Quito - Lago Agrio - Cuyabeno Reserve
Reception in Lago Agrio at 9:30h for passengers arriving by road and 11:00h for passengers arriving by air, from where we take the private transport to the entrance of Cuyabeno, where we will have a box lunch. At this point, visitors have to register at the booking office.
Here our naturalist guide will give you information about the reservation, important recommendations and other tips to start navigating for two hours on the Cuyabeno River of the Lodge. During the canoe ride you get a first glimpse of the jungle and you will see different types of birds such as the caciques, Oropendolas and the prehistoric bird Hoatzin. You may also be able to see a variety of monkeys and other jungle animals, depending on weather and weather conditions. We will arrive at the Lodge around 4:30 pm. At that time you will be shown to your rooms and you can relax a bit. After the NAP we will leave the lodge to swim in the lagoon and see a beautiful sunset in the middle of the large lagoon. Then you will return to the camp for dinner, and you can finish your first day in the jungle, relax in a hammock or have a drink at the bar. (B - D)

Day 20: Hike in the forest - butterflies watching and swim.
After breakfast there is a walk of approximately 3 to 4 hours in the primary forest, where the guide will explain to us about a tropical forest, and medicinal plants. You can also see big trees like the CEIBO or small insects like ants. You will return to the camp for lunch and take a break and in the afternoon we will go to see the beautiful butterflies and swim in the lagoon. If possible we will be able to observe the beautiful grazed dolphins and enjoy the impressive sun-fall. Then we return to the camp for dinner. At night we do a night activity, focused on the search for alligators on the banks of the river. (B - BL - D)

Day 21: Siona Community (Tarapuy)
After breakfast we start in a canoe downstream on a journey of about an hour to visit a family of the Tarapuy community. We will be able to learn how to prepare cassava, a traditional yucca bread, where we will help in the elaboration.
We will learn to use the materials of the jungle to make bread, in this we occupy all the day; Returning to the Lodge at about two o'clock in the afternoon. After lunch we have relaxing activities; To end the day we will have a short walk through the primary forest focused on observing nocturnal insects, like spiders, gekos or scorpions and to listen to the noises and sounds of the night. (B - BL - D)

Day 22: Back to Lago Agrio - Flight to Quito
Early in the morning before breakfast, a birdwatching excursion is optional. Returning to the lodge we have breakfast and then the check out 9:30 AM from the lodge with a transfer to Lago Agrio to take the bus or the return flight. (B )
The normal tour ends in the city of Lago Agrio at approximately 15 PM.

Our services include:
- Transfers to and from the airport,
- Visits in the cities
- Private transportation on the whole tour
- 1 professional guide ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides)
member for each 2 climbers in Cotopaxi y Chimborazo
- One professional guide during the trip
- Meals on the mountains as mentioned above (B: Breakfast; BL: Box Lunch; D: Dinner),.
- Accommodation in double tents during the high altitude campament in Chimborazo
- Porters to carry the group gear in Chimborazo (tents, food, utensils, etc)
- Accommodation in huts Cotopaxi and Chimborazo,
- Accommodation in hotels ( Double room accommodation & breakfast included)

Extensión Jungle:
• Transportation (Bus and canoe) Lago Agrio- Lodge (Cuyabeno Reserve)- Lago Agrio
• Transfer in:
9:30 am in regular group for passengers arriving by land
10:30 am in regular group for passengers arriving by air
• Transfer out 9:30 in regular group
• Any additional transfer different to the regular schedule will have an extra cost.
- Accommodation in the selected room with private bathroom
- Full board as mentioned above (B: Breakfast; BL: Box Lunch; D: Dinner)
- Certified bilingual guide (Spanish/English)
- Jungle equipment (Raincoats, life jackets and rubber boots)
- Excursions and activities according to the established itinerary

Extensión Galapagos:
- Accommodation board to the yacht or in a hotel in Puerto Ayora
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B: Breakfast; BL: Box Lunch; D: Dinner)
- Snacks after the visits
- Naturalist bilingual guide (English- Spanish)
- Fresh water, tea, coffee, milk

The prices do not include:
- General climbing and trekking equipment like ( boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, mattress, sleeping bag, sun glasses, head lamp, etc)
- Extra drinks and food in the refuges
- Feeding not specified in the program
- Travel insurance
- Tips

Extension Jungle:
- Transportation Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito (flight or bus)
- Breakfast on the first day, lunch and dinner on the last day
- Community entrance fee $ 10.00 per person
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses and tips

Extension Galapagos:
- Air flight rate to/from Galápagos ~ US$ 570
- Galapagos National Park fee (US$100 per person).
- INGALA transit card: USD 20
- Wet Suits, for renting 5 days: USD 25 8 days: USD 35.
- Snorkeling gear, for renting 5 days: USD 20 8 days: USD 25.
- Special Conditions: Single cabin has an 80% supplement
- Extra drinks.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips

Ecuador Mountain Climbing, Jungle and Galapagos (22 days)

Ecuador Mountain Climbing, Jungle and
Galapagos (22 days)