Volcanoes Expedition
A journey to 5 mountains that will provide a complete experience of the Ecuadorian Andes
TRIP OVERVIEW
"The volcanoes of Ecuador have given the country universal fame among the geologists of the world. They are the terror of the Indians, the admiration of the conquistadors, the study of the naturalist and the plague of the people who live near them."
Edward Whymper | Travel Among the Andes of Ecuador, 1890.
Andeanface offers you a 13 day itinerary of volcano climbing in Ecuador, where you will find high altitude climbing combined with moderate to easy trekking and cultural visits to historical places. During the Ecuador Volcanoes Expedition you will stay in country side farms (haciendas) which have been converted into hostels.
The Volcanoes Expedition is not only an excellent mountaineering experience, you will also see the real life of the Ecuadorian countryside: it is a special and diverse mountain climbing expedition in Ecuador which we highly recommend.
You will climb: Pasochoa / Rucu Pichincha / Cayambe / Cotopaxi / Chimborazo
This short video of Ian Bernstein summarizes our 14 days Volcanoes program
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGMcg3bKaKI
Arrive/Depart: Quito
Group Size: 2-12 Guests
Pre-requisites: Good physical condition
Difficulty Levels:
Easy: Pasochoa / Pichincha
Intermediate: Cayambe / Cotopaxi
Advance: Chimborazo
EXPLAIN DIFFICULTY LEVELS
Accomodation: 14 nights: 5 Hotel in Quito / 4 at Haciendas / 2 Camping / 3 at Mountain Refugues VIEW LODGING
Activity: City Exploration / Trekking / Wildlife & Natural History / Glacier Practice / Climbing
Seasons: All year round
Equipment: Climbing Expeditions Gear List
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ITINERARY
DOWNLOAD ITINERARYDAY
01
Arrival / Night in Quito [2.800 m / 9,184 ft]
Activity: Arrival in Quito
Accommodation: In Quito - Vieja Cuba or similar
DAY
02
City Tour [2.800 m / 9,184 ft]
Activity: City sightseeing
Accommodation: In Quito - Vieja Cuba or similar
Transportation: Private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast
DAY
03
Pasochoa Hike [4.200 m / 13,776 ft]
Activity: 4-5 hours hiking up and down Pasocha
Accommodation: In Quito - Vieja Cuba or similar
Transportation: Private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
04
Rucu Pichincha Hike [4.690 m / 15,400 ft]
Activity: 5-6 hours hiking up and down Pichincha
Accommodation: In Quito - Vieja Cuba or similar
Transportation: Short transfer on private van or jeep + cable car ride
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY
05
Cayambe Drive and Hike to the Hut [4.600 m / 15,092 ft]
Activity: 3 hours drive / short walk to hut / skills practice
Accommodation: Ruales, Berge, Orleas Mountain Refugue
Transportation: Private jeep or van
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY
06-07
Cayambe Glacier - Skills Review & Summit Attempt [5.780 m / 18,950 ft]
- Snow climbing, ice axe positioning, and moving in balance
- Self arrest techniques
- Ice climbing (with top rope) and crampon techniques
- Prussiking
- Roped glacier travel
- Discussions on high altitude physiology and other related expeditionary topics
Activity: Glacier practice
Accommodation: Ruales, Oleas, Bergé Refuge or Hacienda Guachalá
Transportation: Private jeep or van
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY
08
Drive to Cotopaxi Region
Activity: Drive to Cotopaxi National Park
Accommodation: Tambopaxi Lodge or similar
Transportation: Private van or jeep transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY
09
Cotopaxi Hut [4.800 m / 15,700 ft]
Activity: 1 hour walk to the refugue
Accommodation: Jose Rivas Refuge
Transportation: Private van or jeep transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY
10
Cotopaxi Summit Day [5.897 m / 19.300 ft]
Activity: 8 hours climbing up and down Cotopaxi
Accommodation: Hotel in Baños
Transportation: Private van or jeep transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY
11
Rest Day in Baños [1,900 m/6,332 ft]
Activity: Drive / Sightseeing / Rest
Accommodation: Hotel in Baños
Transportation: Private van or jeep transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY
12
Chimborazo hike to camp [5.350m / 17,300 ft]
Activity: Drive / 2 hour trek / Camp
Accommodation: Camping
Transportation: 2 hour drive in jeep or van
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY
13
Chimborazo summit day [6.310 m / 20,696 ft]
Activity: 8 hours climbing up and down Chimborazo
Accommodation: Camping or drive to hotel
Transportation: Private van or jeep transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY
14
Spare summit day / Return to Quito [6.310 m / 20,696 ft]
Activity: Trekking down / Drive to Quito
Accommodation: In Quito - Vieja Cuba or similar
Transportation: Private van or jeep transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Important: Please note that this itinerary is a guideline only. We will do every effort to follow it, but in case of unforeseen circumstances we may have to make changes.
2024 Prices
1 participant - USD 5.500 per person
2+ participants - USD 2.970 per person
Single Room Suplement - USD 550 per person
Trip Cost Includes
- All transport by private vehicles during the program when needed
- All the food once out of Quito
- Accommodation: 5 hotel nights in Quito (on Bed & Breakfast), haciendas and huts. In the city twin basis, a multiple room for the group at Tambopaxi Lodge, shared basis at refuges
- Camping gear
- Permits and park fees
- One guide for the acclimatisation hikes
- One bilingual qualified mountain guide per every two climbers on Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo
- A base camp manager (cook) on Chimborazo
- Some climbing gear: crampons, harness, helmet, ice axe and group gear such as ropes (boots available for rent from $20 per day)
Trip Cost Does Not Include
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Lunch and evening meals while in Quito
- Alcoholic drinks
- Extras, laundry, tips
- Airport transfers
- Other items of Climbing gear
- Hotel nights out of the program or if return to the cities earlier
WHY TAKE THIS TRIP WITH US?
There are several reasons: There is few places in the world where so much mountianeering can be done in such a short time. Our team is formed by the best Ecuadorian mountain guides. Some of us have historical guiding achievements, including guiding in the Himalayas while others are well known for their leading mountaineering expeditions in South America. Our mountain guides are an integral part of Andeanface because they understand and share our climbing principles. The quality of our guiding staff is what makes us stand out from other companies. The accomodation used during this expedition gives it an added value, some nights are spent in Haciendas, which are traditional fams houses converted into mountain lodges.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The majority of our clients come from North America, the UK, and Europe, meaning that 98% of the time, the expedition is guided in English. However, we could provide a German speaking guide, when a private trip is requested. For acclimatization purposes, we strongly recommend our clients arrive in Quito (2.800 m / 9,000 ft), one day prior to the expedition. The first day of acclimatization, as well as the two first hikes depart from Quito, and once they are completed, you will return to a hotel in Quito for the night. Once we leave for Cayambe (on day 5), we will only be returning to Quito on the last day of the trip. After our summit day of Chimborazo, we will return to the city at 5-6pm, hence we recommend you do not fly out that same evening, since it will be too tiring. During the expedition, the large bags (duffle bags) get transported in a 4X4 car or a van (depending on the size of the group). The only time when our clients need to carry their large backs is when we hike to the refuge of Cotopaxi (40 minutes) and to the high camp of Chimborazo (2 hours). When requested (at added extra cost), we can organize a porter to help to carry personal gear to the camp of Chimborazo. Most of the time our clients do reach the summit of Chimborazo on their first attempt. Nonthless, as guides we prefer not to have to spend two nights at the high camp of Chimborazo as it is not easy to get a good night of sleep. During the trip there is internet access and mobile signal on most days. All foreign telephone companies work with a local provider, Claro is the best local company, especially in rural areas
Hi Javier: I'm very happy with the expedition and to have reached planned summits. The guides were very good and dedicated The logistics were very good and the drivers were very kind and did also a great job. I have enjoyed it a lot and it was a very good experience for me.
Christian Fleckinger
France
Hi Javier: The whole trip was fantastic! Of course the three climbs were very challenging, especially the Chimborazo, but thanks to Jose and Mauricio for their encouragement I enjoyed the location of the different haciendas for the rest. A true ecuadorian experience! I will definitely recommend Andeanface to other climbers Best regards
Richard Leclercq
France
The simple fact is there are any number of guide services that can get you to the top of Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. But if you really want to have the experience of a lifetime, then choose Andean Face
Gerald Flynn
USA
According to our climbing experiences all over the world, Andeanface is at the higest level of organization and performances. Very good guides as well as nice people, always willing to listen and help. They have taken care of every detail and could not have asked anything better. We can highly recommend Andeanface for your climbing experiences in Ecuador
Giorgio Massetti & friends
Italy
