Climbing Cotopaxi and Chimborazo in 5 Days

Cotopaxi & Chimborazo Provinces – Ecuador

Elevation:

Cotopaxi (19,347ft/5.897m)

Elevation:

Chimborazo (20,702ft/6.310m)

Difficulty

Advanced

Duration

5 days

Itinerary

We will drive from Quito southern through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until we get to the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. From here we will drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (14,764ft/4.500m). We get our gear ready and hike up for an hour to the Jose Ribas Refuge (15,958ft/4.864m). In the afternoon we will go to the glacier for ice practices and training. We will learn some basic techniques, which include last but not least proper handling of the climbing equipment (crampons, ice axe, rope, etc.). We will go back to the Refuge for dinner and rest (-/BL/D)

We will wake up at midnight and depart to the top (19,347ft/5.897m) around 1 am after a light breakfast. The climb will take us about 6 to 8 hours. The first part is about an hour hike to the glacier, where we put the crampons on and start the glacier ascent. Once at the summit we will take our time for pictures of the crater and surroundings and then we will head back to the refuge in 2 to 3 hours. At the refuge we will rest, pack our belongings, have something to eat, drink and go down to the parking lot, from where we will drive to Machachi. Overnight in the hotel (B/BL/-)

Today we rest in the charming town Machachi; there is an optional tour to the Tesalia Water Springs. On Sundays we like to visit the local indigenous market (animals, fruit, handicraft, etc.). There are many other options for you to choose from, like horseback riding, cow milking or sampling of a local delicatessen, guinea pig. We will spend a restful night in a hotel in town (B/-/-)

We will drive south from Machachi (10,171ft/3.100m) towards the city of Ambato (8,858ft/2.700m) through the Avenue of the Volcanoes for about 3,5 hours until we get to the Chimborazo`s reserve. We will drive right to Hermanos Carrel refuge (15,748ft/4.800m), where we will have dinner and get some rest until 10 pm. There will be an early light breakfast served just before we get our gear ready and start hiking up (B/-/D)

Before midnight, we will start our climb to the top of Ecuador’s highest mountain, Chimborazo, which will take us about 9 to 11 hours. We will get to the top (20,702ft/6.310m) early in the morning. It is a perfect place for resting and pictures of the beautiful Andean surroundings. After some rest, we will start our descending to the Refuge. It will take us 4 to 5 hours. Once in “Hermanos Carrel Refuge” we will pack our gear, where our transportation will be ready to take us back to Quito (B/BL/-)

Price: Please contact us

Superior service
Private transportation and transfers
Professional Mountain Guide IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guide) or ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides) / ratio 2 climbers – 1 guide
Technical mountain equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
Accommodation in hotels (double occupancy), José Ribas Refuge and Hermanos Carrel Refuge
All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above with B: breakfast, BL: box lunch, D: dinner)
A registered and fully licensed Tour Operator
National Park fees and permits registration
Personal Mountain Gear (warm clothes, sleeping bag, sun glasses, head lamp, etc.)
Single supplement
International flights
Meals and beverages at the hotels (lunch, dinner)
Personal insurance
Tips
Other non-specified expenses

Cotopaxi Summit

Chimborazo Summit

Somewhere in the Ecuadorian Andes