Expeditions Andes & Galápagos Islands

Itinerary:

Day 1: Flight to Quito (2800 m) – Transfer to the Hotel

Day 2: Quito – Pasochoa (4200m) – El Chaupi (3300 m)

Day 3: El Chaupi – El corazón Volcano (4788 m)

Day 4: EL Chaupi – Iliniza norte (5126 m)

Day 5: El Chaupi – Cayambe Shelter (4600 m)

Day 6: Cayambe Shelter – Cayambe Summit (5790 m) – Quito

Day 7: Quito – Baños (6,012ft/1.800m)

Day 8: Baños – Hermanos Carrel Refuge Chimborazo (16,400ft/5.000m)

Day 9: Chimborazo Summit (20,702ft/6.268m) – Quito

DAY 10: QUITO – BALTRA – ISABELA

DAY 11: SIERRA NEGRA ACTIVE VOLCANO TREKING – CONCHA PERLA ISABELA

DAY 12: TORTOISES BREDING CENTER – TINTORERAS

DAY 13: PTO AYORA – CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION

DAY 14: THE TWINS – BALTRA

Day 15: Quito – Otavalo

Day 16: Flight back home

Day 1: Flight to Quito (2800 m) – Transfer to the Hotel
Arrived in Mariscal Sucre Airport, Pick up at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Quito.
Depending on the time of your flight. We can visit to the Historical Center of Quito

Day 2: Quito – Pasochoa (4200m) – El Chaupi (3300 m)
We will leave from Quito (9,186ft/2.800m) early in the morning and drive southeast for about an hour through the Andean highlands until we get to the trailhead (10,827ft/3.300m). The hike goes through an amazing primary Andean forest, great for bird watching, we can easily encounter the exotic hummingbirds during the hike, as we gain elevation will be able to see the surrounding snow caped mountains such as Antisana, Cayambe, Illinizas, Cotopaxi on a clear day. Once close to the summit (4200m),the hike It will take us about 6 hours round trip. Transfer to the Village of the El Chaupi Where we wil staying at the hostel Andes Alpes www.andesalpescafe.com (10,827ft/3.300m) (B/BL)

Day 3: El Chaupi – El corazón Volcano (4788 m)
We start early in the morning after breakfast 7:30 We will 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 (15,702ft/4788m). We will have lunch during the hike that is about 8 hour long. Return to the hostal. Dinner and Lodging (B/BL/D)

Day 4: EL Chaupi – Iliniza norte (5126 m)
We start early in the morning after breakfast 7:30 We will 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 (5126m), the way back to the parking lot it will take us between 2 hours.. drive back to El Chaupi . Overnight at the Hostal Andes Alpes (B/BL/D)

Day 5: El Chaupi – Cayambe Shelter (4600 m)
Cayambe is a massive glaciated extinct volcano. It is located about 95 km North East of EL Chaupi and is the highest point on the surface of the earth through which the Equator directly passes. Cayambe is the third highest mountain in Ecuador. It is characterized by good climbing opportunities and impressive glaciers. With easy access from a comfortable hut Ruales Oleas Cayambe Refuge. We will arrive at the shelter in about 3,30 hours of driving and we will rest for a couple of hours at the Refuge, until dinner time (B/D)

Day 6: Cayambe Shelter – Cayambe Summit (5790 m) – Quito
We will wake up at midnight, get a light breakfast, put our gear on and start our climb around 01:00 in the morning; the ascent takes about 6 to 7 hours. The route to the summit follows a safe glacier terrain to the summit. A gaping bergschrund sometimes presents a challenge in route finding and an exciting extra obstacle. Once at the summit (18,996ft/5.790 m) we will take our time for pictures of the surroundings, and then we will head back to the refuge in 2 to 3 hours. At the Refuge we will rest for a while, and back start packing our belongings in order to drive to Quito. (B/D)

Day 7: Quito – Baños (6,012ft/1.800m)
Baños town and 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 (B)

Day 8: Baños – Hermanos Carrel Refuge Chimborazo (16,400ft/5.000m)
From Baños , we will drive to the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve entrance for about 2 hours, until getting to the Hermanos Carrel refuge (15,744 ft/4,800 m), 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 (B/BL/D)

Day 9: Chimborazo Summit (20,702ft/6.268m) – Baños (6,012ft/1.800m)
At midnight we will start our climb to the top of Ecuador’s highest mountain, 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. Overnight and rest at the hotel. (B/D)

DAY 10: QUITO – BALTRA – ISABELA
We fly from Quito or Guayaquil to the Island of Baltra. At the airport in Baltra, we will meet up with our English speaking guide who will take us to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for lunch. Afterwards, we will take the public speedboat to Isabela, which lasts approximately three hours. We will arrive to HOTEL SAN VICENTE GALAPAGOS or LA LAGUNA HOTEL(no WIFI available). After a brief rest at the hotel, we will head to the FLAMINGO LAGOON, which is the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos and is one of the main reproductive sites for the grand majority of flamingos. (L,D)

DAY 11: SIERRA NEGRA ACTIVE VOLCANO TREKING – CONCHA PERLA ISABELA
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we’ll take an excursion to the Sierra Negra Volcano. This volcano is located 13 miles from Port Villamil and has the second largest volcanic crater in the world, measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. To arrive at this incredible sight we travel in bus or similar vehicle for 45 minutes to the Galapagos National Park where we will register our visit and then begin our hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano. We’ll then proceed to the Volcan Chico where you can feel the warmth of the ground as proof of the volcano’s activity. Here we’ll stop for a box lunch before returning to the hotel. After a brief rest, we’ll have the chance to go snorkeling or swimming at Concha Perla where we can observe the colorful fishes, sea urchins, starfishes, sea lions, or even sea turtles. Hotel Accommodation provided. HOTEL SAN VICENTE GALAPAGOS or LA LAGUNA HOTEL(no WIFI available). (B,L,D)

DAY 12: TORTOISES BREDING CENTER – TINTORERAS
After breakfast we will go to the GIANT TORTOISE BREEDING CENTER, where we will see giant tortoises in different stages of life and learn about the process that the center to going through to bring back the numbers tortoises on the island. Additionally, we will visit a small lava tunnel and another FLAMINGO LAGOON, and then we will return to the hotel to have lunch.

In the afternoon, we will sail to “ISLOTE TINTORERAS”. It is called this due to a large crevice with very clear calm water in which white-tip sharks known as “TINTORERAS” come daily to rest on the bottom. We can also observe penguins, sea lions, and marine iguanas and go snorkelling with sharks as well as other colourful tropical fishes while enjoying the beaches of Isabela. HOTEL SAN VICENTE GALAPAGOS or “LA LAGUNA HOTEL(no WIFI available). (B,L,D)

DAY 13 : PTO AYORA – CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION
We will take the public speedboat to PUERTO AYORA, where the guide will be waiting for us in order to check in to the hotel and eat breakfast. After, we will enjoy a wonderful visit to see GIANT TURTLES IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT.After lunch in the Highlands, we will return to Puerto Ayora and go to the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION. Here we will have the opportunity to remember the history of the famous Lonesome George. HOTEL FERNANDINA or SIMILAR. Optional: You may visit the town again at night for dancing and entertainment. (B,L,D)

DAY 14: THE TWINS – BALTRA
After breakfast, we will travel to Baltra Airport, but on the way we will stop by “The Twins” (“The Gemelos”), which are similar to craters, but formed by a collapse of the Earth because of the lava flows that passed below it. The tour will end upon the arrival to the airport where we will depart to Quito or Guayaquil. (B)

Day 15: Quito – Otavalo
The Otavalo cultural tour is a wonderful way to discover and combine the famous artesian indigenous market in Ecuador and some of the amazing views outside Otavalo.

After breakfast 8:00 am . We will drive north of Quito through the Sierra highlands, and our first stop will be at Quitsato Middle of the world, and then onto Cayambe, where we can taste and learn about the town´s famous biscochos (local biscuits). We then arrive at the famous Otavalo Market where you will have time to eat lunch and buy handicrafts. The main market day in Otavalo is Saturday; After exploring the market and having lunch we will depart Otavalo and make a stop at Laguna Cuicocha, which is located in a volcano crater, and contains two green islands. We´ll then visit Cotacachi. This town is famous for its leather goods – a great place to pick up a bargain! After that we will make our way back to Quito. (B/L/D)

Day 16: Flight back home
Quito – Transfer to the Airport – Flight to Europe or your country of origin (B)

Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner BL= Box Lunch

Services included in the prices:

• Acclimatization and Climbing Program
• Galápagos Land Tour
• 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 in hotels (double room)Quito 4 nights
• Hostal Andes Alpes 3 nights
• Oleas Ruales Refuge 1 night
• Hermanos Carrel 1 nihgt
• Hotel in Galápagos 4nights
• All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above with B: Breakfast, BL: Box lunch and D: Dinner)

Not included:

• Personal mountain gear (warm cloths, sleeping bags, sun glasses, head lamp, etc.)
• International flight tickets
• Flight tickets to Galapagos
• Galapagos National Park entrance fee: $100,00 USD per person
• Migratory Control Card: $20,00 USD per person
• Isabela dock fee $5,00 USD per person.
• Water Taxi’s at each island transfer $1.00 USD per person each
• Tips
• Insurance of any kind
• Travel accident and health insurance
• Luggage insurance and trip cancellation
• Other non-specified expenses

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. Galápagos is part of this amazing land

Difficulty: Demanding

Dates & Prices:
From / To
02.07. – 24.07.2017 On this trip, places are still available.
06.07. – 28.07.2017 On this trip, places are still available.
09.07. – 31.07.2017 On this trip, places are still available.
11.07. – 02.08.2017 On this trip, places are still available.

Prices: * Prices are different according to the number of people. Contact us! ✓
Deposit for reservations: * 800 USD ( EUR) ✓ Full payment 40 days before. No refund if you cancel less than 30 days!
Places: *Available
Trip-code: Nummer ►EC-1981
Duration: 16 days
Participants: Minimal: 2 Maximal: 12
Members: We have some group open to join Contact us!
Country / Location: Cotopaxi – Ecuador
Mountain Guide: Fernando Iza
Other dates / additional info: Contact us!

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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.