Conquering the most emblematic peaks of Ecuador!
ANTOINE’S WORD OVER THIS TOUR
Our team is proud to offer you this adventurous program around the highest peaks in the Ecuadorian highlands. Acclimatization is always an essential starting period in every high mountain tour because, even upon your arrival, you will already be at 2799m / 9184ft altitude in Quito, the capital. Therefore, you will undertake two of the most picturesque trekkings in the Chugchilán region (Quilotoa & Isinliví).
Gradually moving up in altitude, you will then crown the peaks of the Illinizas and Corazón volcanoes. To finish on a high note, you will conquer the emblematic Cotopaxi and Chimborazo summits.
The ITK Voyage team has carefully selected the best accommodations, explored every trail, and summited every peak firsthand. Join us in this incredible adventure and make the most of the best season for this Andean Summit Expedition!
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrival in Quito (2 500m / 8 202ft) and transfer IN | Quito city tour | Quito > Quilotoa (3 819m / 12 532ft) > Chugchilán (3 199m / 10 498ft) | Chugchilán > Isinliví (2 899m / 9 514ft) > Lasso |
| Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 |
| Lasso > Corazón Volcano (4 789m / 15 715ft) > Lasso | Lasso > North Illiniza (5 069m / 16 633ft) > Cotopaxi park | Cotopaxi Volcano (refuge: 4 862m / 15 953ft) | Cotopaxi Volcano (summit: 5 894m / 19 338ft) |
| Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 |
| Baños (free day) | Baños > Chimborazo Volcano (refuge: 4 849m / 15 912ft) | Chimborazo Volcano > (summit: 6 269m / 20 570ft) > Quito | Quito > Transfer OUT |
Tour highlights :
– Fully Private Tour across the Andes highlands of Ecuador.
– Visit of Quito -UNESCO World Heritage- clasified
– Reaching 5 summits during your tour
– 5 peaks over 4200m / 13 700ft!
– Visit of the Cotopaxi National Park & Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve
| 2 people | 4 people | Group: 5 to 15 people |
|---|---|---|
| $ 3990 | $ 3010 | $ 2865 |
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 12 (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 Quito.
Meal
No
Visit
No
Hike
No
transport
1h00
Day 2 : Quito visit > Mitad del Mundo > Quito 2 800m (8 202ft)
Visit Quito downtown. Discovery of its history, churches, squares, and historic streets. In the afternoon, transfer to Mitad del Mundo which marks the location of the Equator line. Return to Quito.
Meal
b/l
Visit
6h00
Hike
0h00
transport
1h30
Day 3 : Quito > Quilotoa 3 819m (12 532ft) > Chugchilan 3 199m (10 498ft)
Morning transfer (3h30 drive). You will first discover the famous Quilotoa lake with its turquoise waters. That will be the starting point of your acclimatization 2-stage challenge, the Quilotoa > Chugchilán trek. Enjoy this picturesque trail along this out-of-time region. Total elevation gain this day will be negative.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h40'
Hike
about 5h
transport
3h30
Day 4 : Chugchilán > Isinliví 2 899m (9 514ft) > Lasso
The second stage of your acclimatization period will take you to discover the out-of-time village of Isinliví 2 899m (9 514ft). You will hike along the Toachi canyon. Picnic lunch will be provided along this trail. at the end of your trail your guide will be expecting you to continue your way to Lasso where your charming accommodation awaits you.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
5h00
transport
1h30
Day 5 : Lasso > Corazón Volcano 4 789m (15 715 ft) > Lasso
This day you will reach the summit of the Corazón Volcano 4 789m (15 715 ft). The positive elevation will be about 997m (3 280ft). The first part of the ascent is not difficult and, although you will be constantly climbing, the slope will be steady, and the path pleasant. The last part remains the most physical demanding and technical. Then you will return to the starting point where you driver will be waiting for you.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
7h00
transport
2h00
Day 6 : Lasso > Illiniza Norte 5 069m (16 633ft) > Cotopaxi Park
You will leave early and embark on the discovery of the Illinizas volcanoes. Once more, passing through the village of El Chaup. You will first, ascend to the Ilinizas North refuge located at around 4 699m (15 419ft). The starting point is from a place called “la Virgen,” where the driver will drop you off and eventually, pick you up to continue your adventure.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
7h00
transport
2h15
Day 7 : Cotopaxi (José Rivas Refuge 4 862m / 15 953ft)
You will have a free morning to rest, relax, and discover at your own pace. Take advantage of this time to discover the surroundings of the Cotopaxi Volcano. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the José Rivas Refuge. From where, at midnight, you will start ascending to the Cotopaxi Summit. Depending on the activity of the Cotopaxi volcano and local authorities regulations, the ascent from the refuge to the summit might be restricted. In such a case, we reserve the right to partially change the program and include the ascent of the Cayambe volcano as an alternative. The experience and price will remain the same.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
1h00
transport
0h45
Day 8 : Cotopaxi Volcano (Summit 5 894m / 19 338ft) > Baños
About midnight you will leave the refuge towards the Cotopaxi summit. While not technically, the Cotopaxi requires physical effort (slopes of 30-35). The ascent will take approximately 6-7 hours, with 2-3 hours of descent. Then you will continue your adventure to the spa-town of Baños. Enjoy a well-deserved rest.
Meal
b/l
Visit
0h30
Hike
8h00
transport
3h15
Day 9 : Baños (Free day)
Baños is the gate to the Amazon Rainforest. You will enjoy a day of rest surrounded by a relaxing ambiance. Take advantage of the several activities that Baños has to offer! You will have your guide’s company and assistance (no additional cost) during these activities.
Meal
b
Visit
0h00
Hike
3-5h00
transport
0h00
Day 10 : Baños > Chimborazo Volcano (Hermanos Carrel refuge 4 862m / 15 953ft)
This morning you will be transferred to the Chimborazo wildlife reserve, with the Chimborazo Volcano (6 269m / 20 570ft). You will start ascending this colossus by car to the Hermanos Carrel Refuge located at 15912 ft. Where you will spend the night. Bed time will be around 6pm in order to be ready for the ascent.
Meal
b/l/d
Visit
0h00
Hike
2-3h00
transport
2h30
Day 11 : Chimborazo Volcano (Summit 6 269m / 20 570 ft) > Quito
After a short night spent at the refuge, and with the goal of climbing the impressive Chimborazo volcano 6 269m (20570 ft). You will start the ascent around 11:30 pm. With an altitude similar to the Denali (highest peak un US) Chimborazo is the highest volcano in Ecuador and also the point on Earth closest to the sun due to its location (near the equator) and its altitude. This will surely be an incredible achievement! Then you will be transferred to the Capital, Quito. Enjoy a well-deserved time of rest.
Meal
b/l
Visit
0h00
Hike
9h00
transport
3h30
Day 12 : Quito > International Airport (Transfer OUT)
After breakfast, you will have some time to get ready, then you will leave to Quito Airport on time to catch your international flight
Meal
b
Visit
0h00
Hike
0h00
transport
1h00
B: Breakfast
L: Luch
D: Dinner
Refuges: (Cotopaxi and Chimborazo) facilities will be basic as well as the food.
Hotels: Mix of categories “Comfort” 2/3*** & “Superior” 3/4**** category.
– Andes (from day 1 to day 12) : private transport with a Spanish-speaking driver + a bilingual Spanish / English private local specialized guide (vehicle type 4 × 2, space or bus depending on the size of the group).
– Ice climbs: during the Cotopaxi, Illiniza, Corazón, and Chimborazo climbs, you will benefit from one high-mountain guide for every two people. Your main guide – who will be the same throughout the stay – will speak English. The other high mountain guides will speak Spanish, with some English.
– 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, Illinizas, 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.
– For every not included meal, foresee between $5 -popular- and $45 -gourmet- 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 your adventure!