High-mountain tour in the footsteps of Edward Whymper
ANTOINE’S WORD OVER THIS TOUR
This high-altitude adventure in the Andes will take you -in 16 days- to meet the raw and colorful Andes of Ecuador. Our travel agency, which specialized in trekking in Ecuador, will be pleased to show you incredible volcanic landscapes. The objective of this tour in the Andes will be to climb the famous Chimborazo volcano 20.664 ft (6300m) as Edward Whymper did in 1880, and whose summit is the closest to the sun point on Earth.
Before that, we will also try the climbs of the famous and magnificent volcanoes Cayambe 18.991 ft (5,790m) and Cotopaxi 19.342 ft (5,897m) -Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world-. You will enjoy excellent acclimatization, essential for the tour success, you will also enjoy, thanks in particular to the superb climbs of the Imbabura and Fuya Fuya volcanoes, an impressive view of the Ecuador volcanoes. A high-mountain tour par excellence!
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer-in to Quito | Quito visit 9.184 ft (2800m) | Quito > Cuicocha lake 11.480 ft (3 500m) > Cotacachi > Otavalo | Otavalo > Fuya Fuya volcano ascent 13.776 ft (4 200m) > San Clemente |
| Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 |
| San Clemente > Imbabura volcano ascent 15.186 ft (4 630m) > San Clemente | San Clemente > Cayambe refuge 15.088 ft (4 600m) | Cayambe refuge 15.088 ft (4 600m) | Cayambe volcano ascent > Papallacta 10.824 ft (3300m) |
| Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 |
| Papallacta > Illinizas refuge 15.088 ft (4 600m) | North Illiniza ascent > Cotopaxi National Park 12.464 ft (3 800m) | Ascent to the Cotopaxi refuge 15.953 ft (4 864m) | Cotopaxi ascent > Baños |
| Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15 | Day 16 |
| Baños 5.969 ft (1 820m) | Baños > Chimborazo reserve > Carrel refuge 15.744 ft (4 800m) | Chimborazo ascent 20.565 ft (6 270m) > Quito | Departure transfer |
Tour highlights :
– Completely private tour ,in the Andes, with your English-speaking high mountain (UIAGM certified) guide.
– Ascent of the mythical Cayambe, Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo volcanoes.
– Wonderful days of active acclimatization, around hike-days.
– 5 peaks over 4200m!
– Discovery of the magnificent Quito city, listed by the UNESCO.
– Lovely accommodation.
– Flexibility & adaptability.
Rates/per person:
| 2 People | 4 People | Group: 5-15 people |
|---|---|---|
| $4583 | $3203 | $2993 |
Rate Includes
– All transfers, vehicles, and , drivers (their costs and fees).
– Certified national, and high-mountain guides as indicated in the in the “Guides & Drivers” part, their costs and fees.
– Meals as indicated in the program: all meals from breakfast day 2 to breakfast day 16 (except 4 dinners in Quito and Baños & 1 lunch in Baños).
– One soft drink per meal (water or fresh juice).
– Accommodation as indicated in the program, in a double occupancy (subject to availability).
– Entrances to sites, museums and national parks specified in the program (excluding entrance to Galapagos National Park).
– Licenses (ITK travel agency and our guides and drivers).
– Visits included in the program.
– High-mountain gear included / per person: crampons, helmet, ice axe and harness.
Rate Doesn’t include
– International Flights
– Sleeping bag (for the nights in the mountain refuges)
– Mountaineering boots (for semi-automatic crampons). Possibility to rent it in Quito ($10/day).
– Individual gear (mountaineering clothing, rucksack, etc…).
– Visits indicated as “Optional” or “at an additional cost.
– Alcoholic drinks
– Not indicated meals
– Tips
Explore in more detail :
Day 1 : Transfer-in to Quito
Arrival and transfer to your charming hotel.
Meal
No
Visit
No
Hike
No
transport
1h00
Day 2 : Quito visit > Mitad del Mundo > Quito 9.184 ft (2800m)
Visit Quito downtown. Discovery of its history, its churches, its squares, its historic streets. In the afternoon, transfer to Mitad del Mundo which marks the location of the equatorial line. Return to Quito.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
6h00
Hike
0h30
transport
1h30
Day 3 : Quito > Lagune de Cuicocha 11.480 ft (3 500M) > Cotacachi > Otavalo
Morning transfer (2h30 drive). You will hike around the Cuicocha Lagoon. The walk is easy and takes around 4 hours. Transfer to the hacienda near the San Pablo lagoon, on the way, a visit to the Cotacachi village (leather specialist) and Peguche (Kichwa village).
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
2h00
Hike
about 4h
transport
3h30
Day 4 : Otavalo > Fuya Fuya volcano 14.038 ft (4 280m) > San Clemente
Short transfer to climb the Fuya Fuya volcano 14.038 ft (4,280m) after reaching the Mojanda lagoon. It will be the first significant experience before Cayambe, Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo climbs.
You will join the San Clemente community in the afternoon where you will experience a unique moment of sharing with this community.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
3h30
transport
2h15
Day 5 : San Clemente > Imbabura volcano ascent 13.346 ft ( 4 609m) > San Clemente
Morning transfer to conquer the Imbabura volcano 13.346 ft (4,609m). This ascent will be a real first test before your future challenges: Cayambe 18.991 ft (5,790m), Cotopaxi 19.342 ft (5,897m), and Chimborazo 20.664 ft (6,300m). A 5–6-hour walk will allow you optimal acclimatization to achieve your future ascents. You will return to the community of San Clemente to spend the night.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
7h00
transport
0h40
Day 6 : San Clemente > Cayambe 15.088 ft (4 600m)
You will leave the San Clemente community to reach the Cayambe refuge. You will take advantage of the afternoon at the refuge to complete your acclimatization before attempting to climb Cayambe which is located on the equatorial line.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
4h00
Hike
1h00
transport
2h00
Day 7 : Cayambe refuge 15.088 ft (4 600m)
You will have a free day at the refuge to calmly acclimatize yourself before your ascent during the night.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h00
transport
0h00
Day 8 : Cayambe ascent > Papallacta
You will leave very early in the morning (around 1 a.m.) to attempt the Cayambe Volcano climb. Return to the refuge around 8 is and transfer to Papallacta for enjoying the natural thermal baths.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
8h00
transport
3h00
Day 9 : Papallacta > Illinizas refuge 15.088 ft (4 600m)
You will take the two Illinizas volcanoes direction. You will climb on foot to the refuge located at an altitude of 15.088 ft
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
3h30
transport
2h30
Day 10 : North Illiniza ascent 16.813 ft (5 126m) > Cotopaxi National Park
Early in the morning, you will attempt the North Illiniza Volcano Climb 16.813 ft (5,126m). You will reach the summit in the early morning. You will then take the Cotopaxi National Park direction.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
5h00
transport
3h00
Day 11 : Ascent to the Cotopaxi refuge 15.953 ft (4 864m)
You will have a free day in the park to prepare for the climb that awaits you at the night. You will go up to the refuge in the afternoon 15.953 ft (4,864m).
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h50
transport
0h30
Day 12 : Cotopaxi Ascent 19.342 ft (5 897m) > Baños
You will leave around midnight to attempt the Cotopaxi volcano ascent. You will reach the summit at sunrise around 6 a.m. After the descent, you will take the road to the Baños spa town.
Meal
b/l
Visit
0h00
Hike
9h00
transport
3h00
Day 13 : Baños
You will enjoy a free day in Baños to rest or enjoy the many activities in the city such as thermal baths, canyoning, or the many canopies (zip lines).
Meal
b
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h00
transport
0h00
Day 14 : Baños > Chimborazo reserve > Carrel refuge 15.744 ft (4 800m)
After making the transfer to the famous and magnificent Chimborazo reserve. You will climb directly to the refuge where you will rest before attempting to climb the highest peak in Ecuador, Chimborazo 20.664 ft (6,300m).
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h00
transport
2h30
Day 15 : Ascent of Chimborazo volcano 20.664 ft (6,270m) > Quito
You will wake up around 11:30 pm to begin the Chimborazo ascent. You will climb around 8 / 9h, not technically difficult but physically demanding. You will be back around 10 / 11 am at the refuge where you will take the road back to Quito.
Meal
b/l
Visit
0h00
Hike
8h00
transport
4h00
Day 16 : Departure transfer
Your driver will pick you up to take you to the airport.
Meal
b
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h00
transport
1h00
B: Breakfast
L: Luch
D: Dinner
«Comfort » Tourist Superior category : charming and comfortable accommodation 2/3*** category. Clean and offering an adapted-to-European and American customer service.
« Superior » First Class category : charming accommodation 3/4**** category. Top of the range quality infrastructure and personalized service. Spacious and tasteful rooms.
« Luxe » category: top of the range accommodations 4/5***** categoryoffering an irreproachable quality of service. The rooms are luxurious and spacious. .
* Andes Highlands:
=> Private Guide/driver (from days 2 to 16). Activities, visits, and transport across the Andes with your English-speaking (high-mountain certified) Guide with his own vehicle (vehicle type 4 × 2 Hyundai Tucson or equivalent) or bus depending on the group size.
– Note: for groups of 4+ people you will be accompanied by your English-speaking guide + a Spanish-speaking driver.
– Ice climbs: during the Cotopaxi, Illiniza, Cayambe, and Chimborazo climbs, aside from your main guide, you will benefit from one high-mountain additional guide for every two people.
– Physical: this high-mountain tour requires excellent physical condition. In addition to regular training (sport, walking, etc.), we recommend that travelers wishing to take part in this trip take a stress test before their arrival. This will limit the risks during ascents and in particular coronary and vascular problems.
– Technical: no technical level is necessary. The Cotopaxi, Cayambe, and Chimborazo volcanoes glacial climbs offer slopes of 30 to 40 degrees. There is no vertical part that requires the use of climbing techniques; there are just three “long” glacier walks. For those who have never used crampons and an ice ax, an ice school will be given by the guide.
Clothing :
-T-shirts
-Technical jerseys
-1 or 2 sturdy hiking pants (acclimatization)
-1 or 2 lightweight hiking pants (acclimatization / quick-drying)
-1 or 2 warm technical pants for mountaineering
-1 sufficiently warm long legged gaiter
-1 or 2 fleeces (Softshell type)
-2 classic fleeces
-Sweaters / sweatshirts (for evenings and cultural visits)
-1 waterproof jacket (thin Gore-Tex or rain jacket)
-1 down jacket (thick Gore-Tex underlayer)
-1 warm technical jacket for mountaineering (thick Gore-Tex or equivalent)
-Crampon-compatible mountaineering boots (can be rented in Quito)
-Hiking boots (acclimatization)
-Sportswear shoes for the city and relaxation moments
Equipment provided by ITK Voyage:
-Automatic or semi-automatic crampons (Edelrid/Singsing/Black Diamond/Petzl)
-Harness (Edelrid/Black Diamond)
-Helmet (Edelrid/Black Diamond)
-Ice Axe
Accesories :
-Sunglasses for high mountain activities (very important)
– Cap or hat (very important)
– Beanie
– Thin gloves for acclimatization treks
– Mittens or gloves for mountaineering
– Scarf / neck warmer
– Backpack (30L to 40L maximum) for your picnic and drinks during ascents
– Walking poles
– Water bottle (no Camelbak for glacier ascents as the tube freezes above 5000m altitude)
– High SPF sunblock (very important)
– Camera
– Warm sleeping bag (ideal -10°C or even -20°C for total comfort in refuges)
– Survival blanket
– Headlamp
– Transfers and visits times are indicative.
– Foresee between $ 5 and $ 30 per meal not included, per person.
– Tips: we recommend between $ 10 and $ 20 per worked day for a guide, and between $ 5 and $ 10 per worked day for a driver.
– Have a look at our USEFUL INFORMATION page to better prepare for this adventure!