Climb Cotopaxi & chimborazo!

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

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Recommendations:

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.