Climbing Illiniza Norte in 2 days

Cotopaxi Province – Ecuador

Elevation:

(16,818ft/5.126m)

Difficulty

Intermediate

Duration

2 days

Itinerary

Day 1: Machachi (10,170ft/3.100m) – Nuevos Horizontes Hut (15,583ft/4.750m)

We will leave from Machachi in the morning and drive through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until we get to the village of “El Chaupi”. We will continue driving up until we get to “La Virgen parking lot” (12,795ft/3.900m). Once there, we will start a 3-hour hike up to the “Nuevos Horizontes Hut” (15,583ft/4.750m). We will relax for the rest of the afternoon. Dinner will be served by late afternoon (-/-/D)

Day 2: Illiniza Norte Summit (16,818ft/5.126m) – Machachi

Our climbing day starts at 5 am. We will have a light breakfast, pack our climbing equipment and leave the refuge an hour later. We will continue hiking up towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then to Illiniza Norte summit (16,818ft/5.126m). The approach to the top involves an easy 3-hour scrambling. Once at the summit, we will enjoy and admire the beautiful surroundings. The return back to the refuge will be done in about 2 hours. At the hut we will have something to eat and drink. Then we will pack our stuff and go down to the La Virgen parking lot and drive back to Machachi (B/-/-)

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 (harness and helmet)
Accommodation in Nuevos Horizontes Hut
All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above with B: breakfast and D: dinner)
A registered and fully licensed Tour Operator
National Park fees and permits registration
Permanent communication through walkie-talkie between guides and office in case of an emergency
Common gear: Ropes, ice screws, snow pickets, rescue gear
Fully First aid kit (Recommended by NOLS WILDERNESS MEDICINE INSTITUTE)
Rescue or evacuation service in case of any incident in the mountains. (Only Company in Ecuador)
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

Equipment required:

  • Backpack
  • Sleeping bag
  • Crampons
  • Boots
  • Gaiters
  • Fleece Pants
  • Snow Pants
  • Harness
  • Fleece Jacket
  • Waterproof Jacket
  • Fleece gloves
  • Water Proof Gloves
  • Mitts
  • Ice Axe
  • Hiking Poles
  • Balaclava
  • Sunglasses
  • Goggles
  • Helmet
  • Headlamp
  • Thermos bottle
  • Plastic bottle

Illiniza Norte - Ecuador