Expedition 12 Days – Full Ecuador Peaks Acclimatization

Day 1 — Pasochoa  (4200m)

Pasochoa is a volcano with an altitude of 4200 m / 13,780 ft nearby Quito. It is a mountain for acclimatization to climb higher mountains such as Cayambe, Cotopaxi, Antizana and Chimborazo. We go through incredible Andean flora and fauna characterized by the “páramo”. Then, we return to Quito.

• Easy walk
• Around 5–6 hours
• It is possible to see the rain forest and various endemic animal species
• It is an extinct volcano

Day 2 — Ruco Pichincha (4696m)

We take the transportation to the cable car (TelefériQo) and get to the Cruz Loma station (4000 m / 13,123 ft). From here we hike over the mountain and rock ridges till we get to the summit at 4696 m / 15,407 ft.  Then, we go to Huerta Sacha.

• Departure from Quito at 8 a.m.
• Moderate walk.
• Around 4-5 hours.

Day 3 — Iliniza Approach (4700m)

Departure from Huerta Sacha in private transportation to La Virgen at 3900 m / 12,795 ft. Then we walk around 3 hours to the hut at 4700 m / 15,419 ft where we rest.

• Departure from Huerta Sacha 12:00 a.m.
• La virgen 3900 m / 12,795 ft

Day 4 — Iliniza North Summit (5126m)

We get up at 5 am to walk to the Iliniza Norte summit at Elevation: 5126 m / 16,818 ft. Then, we return to La Virgen to our transportation. Finally, we return to Quito.

• Walk start at 5 am
• 3-4 hours walk

Day 5 — Cayambe  Approach (4600m)

We departure from Quito and go to Cayambe in our transportation. We have lunch, then we go to the Ruales Oleas Bergé hut at 4600 m / 15092 ft. We rest until midnight.

• Transportation Quito-Cayambe
• Cayambe hut 4600 m / 15092 ft
• Talk about technical equipment

Day 6 — Cayambe Summit (5790m)

We get up at midnight, prepare our equipment and drink tea. At 1 am we start our ascent to the Cayambe summit. We admire incredible vistas and return to the hut in around two hours.

• 5-6 hours walk
• Cayambe summit 5790 m / 18,996 ft
• Arrival to Quito 2-3 pm

Day 7 — Relax

Day 8 — Cotopaxi  Approach (4800m)

We depart from Quito in private transport to the Cotopaxi National Park. We walk around one hour from the parking zone at 4500 m / 14,764 ft to the José Ribas hut at 4800 m / 15,748 ft. We eat a box lunch, then we have a talk and practice in the glaciers with the guides for one hour. Next, we return to the hut.

• Departure 10 a.m.
• Parking at 4500 m / 14,764 ft
• José Ribas hut 4800 m / 15,748 ft
• Dinner 6 p.m.

Day 9 — Cotopaxi  Summit (5897m)

We get up at midnight to prepare our equipment, drink a special tea and start the ascent to the summit at 5897 m / 19,347 ft. We will be there for around 20 minutes to take pictures and admire the vistas. Then, we return to the hut in three hours. Finally, we walk back to the parking zone and take our transportation.

• 5-6 hours walk
• Cotopaxi summit 5897 m / 19,347 ft
• Return to Quito

Day 10 — Relax

Day 11 — Chimborazo  Approach (5300m)

We depart from Quito in private transportation towards Chimborazo’s 1^st hut. Then, we have a walk to the Whymper hut. We have our box lunch and rest until 11 pm to start the ascent.

• Departure from Quito 9 am
• Hermanos Carrel hut 4800m / 15,748 ft
• Based Capm 5300 m / 17,388 ft
• Talk about technical equipment
• Dinner 6 pm

Day 12 — Chimborazo  Summit(6310m)

We depart from the hut with our mountain gear towards the highest summit (Whymper summit). Once there, we admire fascinating landscapes of the Andes range. We return to the hut in around 3-4 hours. We pack our gear and return to Quito.

• 7-8 hours walk.
• Chimborazo summit 6310 m / 20702 ft
• Transportation to Quito