OVERVIEW
Climb Cotopaxi and Chimborazo 9 day tour
Cotopaxi is regarded as the most beautiful volcano in the world, as well as one of the most active
volcanoes in the world and the second highest volcano in Ecuador. The climb up to the summit of
Cotopaxi is not highly technical, but it does require a pre-climb glacier travel course. In this
program we will Climb Chimborazo Volcano Summit Ecuador’s Highest Mountain, and the Highest
Point from the Center of the Earth. Really with this program you will enjoy the best adventure
offered by the Ecuadorian Andes.
ITINERARY
# Day
|
Place
|
Altitude
|
Day 1
|
Hike Pasochoa Volcano
|
4200 m./13,779 ft
|
Day 2
|
Corazón Volcano Summit
|
4788 m./15,708 ft
|
Day 3
|
Iliniza North Summit
|
5126 m./16,818 ft
|
Day 4
|
Quilotoa Lake Rest day
|
3914 m./12,841 ft
|
Day 5
|
Cotopaxi Refuge
|
4864m. /15,958 ft
|
Day 6
|
Cotopaxi Summit
|
5897 m./ 19,347 ft
|
Day 7
|
Baños City Free day
|
1800 m./ 5,905 ft
|
Day 8
|
Chimborazo High Camp
|
5300 m./ 17,388 ft
|
Day 9
|
Chimborazo Summit
|
6.268m. /20,702 ft
|
COTOPAXI program DAY BY DAY
Day 1: Hike Pasochoa Volcano
Elevation: 4200 m./13,779 ft
- We will pick you up at 8:00 am.Then we will drive for two hours to get to Pasochoa parking
lot. We will then hike through a large forest and when we are in the middle of it, the
4230-meter summit will appear. There is a steep sloop on the ascent, but once there we will
have beautiful views. We will drive to El Chaupi village. Overnight at Andes Alpes base
camp.
- Meals: (-/ Box Lunch/ Dinner)
- Accommodation: Andes Alpes Hostel & Café
Day 2: Summit Corazón Volcano
Elevation: 4788 m./15,708 ft
- From El Chaupi village. We will start early in the morning after breakfast 7:00 We will be
driving up to the trailhead (13,120ft/4.000m), where we start our hike. The first part of
the hike takes us up through the small Andean grass. Then we will get on the sandy and
scramble section, which leads to Corazon summit. We will have lunch during the hike that is
about 6-hour long. Return to the hostel.
- Meals: (Breakfas/ Box Lunch/ Dinner)
- Accommodation: Andes Alpes Hostel & Café
Day 3: Summit Iliniza
North
Elevation: 5126 m./16,818 ft
- We start early in the morning after breakfast 7:30 We will be driving up to the “La Virgen
parking lot” (12,795ft/3.900m). Once there, we will start a 3-hour hike up to the “Nuevos
Horizontes Refuge” (15,580ft/4.750m). We will relax for couple of minutes and we took the
opportunity to put our helmet and harness for continue hiking up towards the saddle formed
between both peaks and then head up to Illiniza north summit; it will take us between 2 to 3
hours to get to the summit, the way back to the parking lot it will take us between 2 hours.
Drive back to El Chaupi. Overnight at the Lodge.
- Meals: (Breakfas/ Box Lunch/ Dinner)
- Accommodation: Andes Alpes Hostel & Café
Day 4: Quilotoa Lagoon Rest day
Elevation: 3914 m./12,841 ft
- We’ll leave from El Chaupi in the morning and drive the Quilotoa Lagoon. During the tour we
will stop at an Indian hut and visit the Tigua community to observe the leather crafts that
they make here. The tour will about 4 hours, then we’ll arrive the viewpoint and admire the
size of the crater and its lagoon. We will then descend along a varying road which will take
us an hour until we arrive at the bottom of the lagoon. There we will take photos and rest,
then after lunch we will be back in El Chaupi after 3 hours driving.
- Meals: (Breakfas/ Box Lunch/ Dinner)
- Accommodation: Andes Alpes Hostel & Café
Day 5: Cotopaxi
Refuge
Elevation: 4864 m./15,958 ft
- From El Chaupi will drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until getting to the
Cotopaxi National Park entrance. From here will drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot
(4.500m/14,763 ft) then we’ll hike up for around an hour to the Jose Ribas Refuge. Then we
will have dinner and rest until midnight. At this point we will pack our belongings and get
ready to make our final ascent.
- Meals: (Breakfas/ Lunch / Dinner)
- Accommodation: Cotopaxi Refuge
Day 6: Summit Cotopaxi
Elevation: 5897 m./19,347 ft
-
Midnight will be our wake-up time and the departure to the top (19,347ft/5.897m) will be
around 01h00, not before having a light breakfast and get our stuff ready for the
ascent, the climb will take us about 6 to 8 hours. Once at the summit we’ll take
our time to take pictures of the crater and surroundings, and then we’ll head down
back the refuge, which it will take us 2 to 3 hours. Once at the refuge will pack our
belongings, have something to eat and go down to the parking lot, where our
transportation will be ready to take us to Baños city. Overnight in the hotel.
Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
Accommodation: Chimenea Hotel
Day 7: Baños Cyti Free Day
Elevation:1800 m./5,905 ft
This is a relaxing day; in this beautiful town you can do it different activities that can
be purchased on behalf of the passenger. It's a free day its surroundings offer many
possibilities like: the route of the waterfalls, hikes inside the “cloud
forest”, besides, depending on our interest, with an extra cost, we could try rafting,
rock climbing, bungee jumping, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc. Night in hotel.
Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
Accommodation: Chimenea Hotel
Day 8: Chimborazo High
Camp
Elevation: 5300 m./17,388 ft
- In the morning at 9:00 am we will meet with the guides to drive to the Chimborazo wildlife
reserve. We will arrive at the refuge Hermanos carrel from there we will start the hike to
the High camp in approximately 2 to 3 hours we get to camp once here, we will accommodate in
our tents. In the afternoon we will prepare and double check all the gear for the climbing.
Where we’ll have dinner and get some rest until 23h00. There will be an early light
breakfast served just before getting ready with our gear and start heading up.
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Accommodation: Overnight in 4-season tents
Day 9: Chimborazo
Summit
Elevation: 6.268m. /20,702 ft
- At midnight we will start our climb to the top of Ecuador’s highest volcano,
Chimborazo, which will take us about 8 to 9 hours. We’ll get to the summit
(20,702ft/6268) in the early hours the perfect spot for resting and pictures of the
beautiful surroundings. Then we’ll start our descending to the refuge; it will take us
from 3 to 4 hours. Once in refuge we’ll pack our gear, where our transportation will
be ready to drive up to Quito.
Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
Accommodation: (-)
-
SERVICES
Services included in the tour cost:
- Acclimatization Climbing Program
- Ecuadorian qualified and experienced local Mountain Guide (ASEGUIM/UIAGM) ratio 2 climbers
-1 guide)
- A registered and fully licensed Tour Operator
- Technical mountain equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
- Land transportation and transfers
- Accommodations:
- 4 nights in Hostel and Café Andes Alpes
- 1 night at Jose Rivas Refuge
- 2 nights at Chimenea Hotel
- 1 night in tents (Chimborazo High Camp)
- All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above)
- Porters, tents, and camping utensils for high camp
Not included:
- International flight tickets
- Meals and drinks in hotels (lunch, dinner)
- Insurance of any kind
- Hotel in Quito
- Tips
- Travel accident and health insurance
- Luggage insurance and trip cancellation
- Other non-specified expenses
_________________________________________________________
Recommendations:
![Click to enlarge Ecuador](images/ecuador/photo6/cotopaxitravelequipo.png)
What to Bring?
- 1.- Head torch
- 2.- Helmet (includes)
- 3.- Sun Glasses
- 4.- Buff/ Warm cap
- 5.- Backpack
- 6.- First layer
- 7.- Second layer
- 8.-Third layer (Waterproof Windbreaks, Waterproof pants)
- 9.- Mittens/Gloves
- 10.- Harness (Includes)
- 11.- Inside gloves
- 12.- Carabiners (Includes)
- 13.- Thermal pants
- 14.- Ice ax (includes)
- 15.- Dynamic Rope (includes)
- 16.- Thermal Lycra
- 17.- Gaiters (includes)
- 18.- Socks Mountain
- 19.- Crampons (Includes)
- 20.- Mountaineering boots (Includes)
- 21.- Sleeping Bag
- 22.- Battery Groups AAA
- 23.- Sunscreen
- 24.- Trekking Poles
- 25.- Thermo / Canteen fro Water
- 26.- Energy bars
PRICES & PAYMENT
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION
Payment
In order to confirm the reservation of any tour service provided by Cotopaxi Travel Company Cia.
Ltda. we require a pre-payment of 30% of the tour price. The remainder is to be carried out
before climbing tour or travel starts. We will not send confirmations, vouchers or flight
tickets until the full balance has been received, and we reserve the right to cancel your trip
if full payment is not received prior to the start date.
PRICES, SURCHARGES AND CREDIT CARD CHARGES
All prices we advertise are accurate at the date published/advised, but we reserve the right to
change any of those prices prior to booking. Before you make a booking we will give you the
up-to-date price of your chosen programme including the cost of any peak-season supplements,
upgrades or additional facilities which you have requested.
For all payments made by credit card, a 6% service fee will be added to the cost. The additional
costs for every transfer made out to Cotopaxi Travel Company Cia. Ltda. Ecuadorian Taxes and
bank transfer fees, will have to be paid by you, the client. We are obligated tu charge 12% IVA
for every payment realized by Ecuadorian citizens.
Cancellation by You
Notice of cancellation by you must be given in writing. Should you cancel, the following scale of
charges will apply:
- - 30 days or more before the Departure Date = loss of deposit.
- - 29 to 15 days from the start of the trip = 50% of total trip cost
- - Less than 14 days before the Departure Date = loss of 100% of total trip cost,
- unless agreed otherwise with cotopaxi travel due to unforeseen circumstances.
Cancellation by Cotopaxi Travel Company
A trip may be cancelled as a result of unforeseen events and beyond Cotopaxi Travel´s control
including but not limited to war, riot, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural Cotopaxi
Travel• Calle Guayaquil 6-74 y Sanchez de Orellana- Latacunga - Cotopaxi - Ecuador Terms &
Conditions 2 or nuclear disaster, fire, epidemics or health risks, closed or congested airports,
ports or stations, changes imposed by re-scheduling or cancellation of transport, adverse
weather conditions.
More Info please visit our Terms & Condicitions
DATE
March 2022
March 2022
March 2022
March 2022
Other dates / additional info: Contact
us!
LOCATION
Country / Location: Ecuador
IMPORTANT DETAILS
In Ecuador you can Climb all year, but these are the seasons
High Season: June to August / December to January
Low season: February to May / September to November
Ecuador is a fantastic destination that offers plenty of options for travel lovers. In addition to
the Andes, Galápagos and Amazon Jungle are also part of this amazing land.
Difficulty: Demanding
Places: ![On this trip, places are still available.](images/green.png)
*Available
Trip-code: Number ►Ec
+593
Duration: 2 days
Participants: Minimum: 2 Maximum: 12
Mountain Guide: Fernando Iza
Other dates / additional info: Contact
us!
Legend Booking-information
EZZ - Single room supplement
On this trip,
places are still available.
On this trip, only a
few places left.
This trip is sold out /
closed.
FAQ'S TIPS AND ADVICES
FAQ's
IS NECESSARY PREVIOUS GLACIER EXPERIENCE?
- Having previous glacier experience is not required. We do recommend that you have joined one
of our best acclimatization and ascent programs containing instructions and skills that we
teach you as previous mountaineering training helps you enjoy the overall experience. Is
also important that you try out your mountaineering gear prior to joining this adventure if
you don’t have we have for you in our rental equipment shop.
- WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CLIMB COTOPAXI?
- A). In Ecuador you can Climb all year, but these are the seasons
- High Season: June to August / December to January
- Low season: February to May / September to November
- B). Likewise, weather forecasts are very unpredictable. Therefore, we recommend being
prepared for all types of weather.
- DO I REALLY NEED RESCUE INSURANCE?
- We strongly urge you to purchase travel and accident insurance. We recommend Global Rescue
for both types of insurance.
- IS COTOPAXI A DANGEROUS MOUNTAIN?
- A). Cotopaxi is a relatively safe climb on the routes we climb. The biggest challenges are
the high altitude and people not coming physically prepared. Some groups try to ascend too
quickly and do not take the time to acclimatize. We do not have this issue because our
itinerary has been carefully planned over years of experience working in low oxygen
environments.
- ACCLIMATIZATION IS IMPORTANT AND HOW DO I PREPARE FOR HIGH ALTITUDE?
- A). Acclimatization is the most important and should be taken seriously. Even if you are
fit and practice any physical activity, it is important to follow the process for a
successful climb.
- B). Firstly, there is some very specific training you should be doing. Learn more. Let’s be
clear, always pick the itinerary with more acclimatization built in. After that, you need to
focus on mapping out a training plan that focuses on strength and endurance. We will pace
the trip at lower heart rates so we can perform for longer periods of time. You still need
to be comfortable hiking for 6+ hours. We know that building up the weight you carry in your
backpack for hours at sea level builds endurance, strength and cardio which stress tests
your body for high altitude. We can help you learn more about how to prepare for your
high-altitude adventure.
- WHAT KIND OF GEAR, CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO BRING?
- A). We will provide you with a full detailed itemized kit list so that you.
- SAFE TO BRING AND LEAVE OUR BAGS IN THE BASE CAMP?
- A). Yes, you can leave a bag of items not needed in our base camp. You can also leave
valuable items in the safe.
- WHAT ROUTE DO WE CLIMB ON?
- A). Depending on the glacial conditions we will follow the safest route to the top. We also
leave from the refuge at 4864 m./15,958 ft for all our summit attempts
- .
DO YOU HAVE TRAINING ADVICE?
- A). If you sign up to one of our trips, we can give ongoing advice. We also have training
courses in Cotopaxi that you can sign up to.
- CAN I PAY WITH CREDIT CARD?
- A). Yes, you can do it
TIPS
- Develop a personalized training plan. Mountaineering requires multiple
types of training, each focusing on a different need:
- Cardio workouts to improve the overall fitness level of your heart and
lungs.
- Interval sessions to boost your ability to process more oxygen with each
breath.
- Strength and endurance exercises so you can haul a heavy load and sustain
physical output for many hours.
- Balance and flexibility training because you need both for
mountaineering.
- Hiking days to extend your training into real-world situations.