Expedition 14 Days – Ultimate Ecuador Summits

Day 1 — 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 2 — 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 3 — 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 4 — 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 5 — 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 6 — Relax

Day 7 — 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 8 — 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 9 — Relax

Day 10 — 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 11 — 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

Day 12  — Relax

Day 13 — Antisana   Approach (4600m)

Antisana has an elevation of 5750 m / 18865 ft. It has one of the most spectacular glaciers of Ecuador. We departure from Quito in south-east direction to el Valle de Los Chillos. Then, we arrive at Pintag where we have lunch and go to the Antisana Ecological Reserve. After registering we go by car to the campsite at 4600 m / 15092 ft. We have dinner and rest until 11 p.m. to prepare our ascent.

• Departure: 10 a.m. from Quito
• Travel time in 4x4 car to the campsite in 3 hours.
• Altitude: La Virgen Camp 4600 m / 15092 ft
• Accomodation: Tents
• Places of interest during transfer: Valle de los Chillos, Pintag, Antizana Ecological Reserve.

Day 14 — Antisana  Summit (5758m)

We get up up at 11 p.m. and have some food. Then, we start our 7-8 hours ascent to the Antisana summit at midnight. This mountain is a challenge, its glacier is one of the most extensive and alluring of Ecuador. We cross by some crevasses and very steep sections. Once at the summit, we have some time to take pictures and admire the sunrise. Then, we return to base camp in around 4 hours. Finally, we return to Quito in 3 hours.

• Summit 5758 m
• Return to Quito