ECUADOR MOUNTAIN CLIMBING ADVENTURES

CLIMBING COTOPAXI (5897m):

Climbing time to peak: 6-8 hours

Refuge: Jose Rivas Hut (4800 m) 30-60 minute walk from car park.

Facilities: 70 beds, mattresses, cooking facilities, electricity, basic restrooms.

Cotopaxi is he highest active volcano of the world with a circular base of approximately 20-km

Because of the weather in Cotopaxi is better to climb from late October until the end of February. From March to June there is heavy snowfall. When summer arrives expect clear but windy days.

Itinerary: 

Day 01: Early departure from Quito 0800 am. We will visit Cotopaxi National Park. Approximately a three hour drive to reach Jose Rivas hut (lunch, dinner)

Day 02: 0100 am. Ascent to the summit. Return to hut and head back to Quito (box lunch)

CLIMBING CHIMBORAZO (6310m):

Average time to peak: 8-10 hours

Refuge: Fabian Zurita hut (4800 m) can be reached by vehicle.

Whymper hut (500m) 20-30 minute walk from lower hut.

Facilities: 30 beds, mattresses, kitchen facilities, toilets

Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador. It is the highest point from the centre of the earth. Experience in glacier climbing is required. It is advisable to climb other snow peaks first. Weather details are the same as for Cotopaxi.

Itinerary:

Day 01: Early departure from Quito to Riobamba by car until we reach Zurita hut from where there is a 30 minute walk to Whymper hut (lunch, dinner)

Day 02: 12:01 am. Ascent to the summit. Return to hut and head back to Quito (box lunch)

CLIMBING ILINIZA NORTE (5126m):

Average time to peak: 3-4 hours

Refuge: Nuevos Horizontes hut (4750 m)

Facilities: 10 beds, cooking facilities, latrine, no electric light, no running water.

Iliniza Norte is not usually snow-covered. The weather is unpredictable and we highly recommend taking rope, ice axe and crampons. Expect to find loose rock on this peak.

We highly recommend you acclimatize before attempting to climb this peak.

Itinerary:

Day 01: Departure from Quito south towards the town of Chaupi. From here we will walk to the hut, since it is only a long days’ hike. (Box lunch, dinner)

Day 02: 07:00 am. Ascent to the summit. Return to hut and head back to Quito (box lunch)

SERVICES INCLUDED WITH ECUADOR CLIMB PACKAGES:

Mountain climbing trips include 4 x 4 vehicle transportation, 3 meals, bilingual guides, and equipment as follows:

Guides: Certified by the Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides (ASEGUIM), bilingual and high standard performance.

Equipment: Technical gear available, we provide boots, crampons, ice axes, ropes, and headlights

Doesn't include personal gear or sleeping bags.

We can also arrange mountain climbing to other peaks in Ecuador like Cayambe, Cotacachi, Imbabura, Tunguragua, Pichincha and Sangay.

RECOMMENDATIONS PRIOR TO CLIMB:

ACCLIMATIZATION

It is very important to spend time acclimatizing; this means resting or exercising moderately above 4000m to allow your body time to build up a greater supply of red blood cells. Snow peaks like Cotopaxi and Chimborazo takes a great deal of mental and physical energy.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS

Altitude sickness is one of the main reasons that people don't reach the summits. It has nothing to do with fitness, and the best way to avoid altitude sickness is to spend time acclimatizing.