Day 4: Andean Polylepis forest
Today we will go on the first of two day hikes for acclimatization. From Riobamba we drive up by car to a small indigenous community, located at the foot of Chimborazo Mt. at 3800 m. / 12.467 ft. altitude. From the village we hike up to a small Andean montain forest, at 4200 m. / 13.780 ft. altitude, with the enchanting
Polylepis trees. With clear weather you will have good views on Chimborazo. In the afternoon we drive back to Riobamba. Accommodation in hotel.
Day 5: Hike with the Icemen of Chimborazo
Early departure from Riobamba to join the last of "los hieleros", the Icemen who cut blocks of ice from the glacier of Chimborazo and bring them down on donkeys to the Riobamba market. This special tradition, dating from the colonial era, is maintained by a few indigenous men. After a 40-minute drive to the eastern slopes of Chimborazo we start the 4-hour hike from 3900 m. / 12.796 ft. up to the glacier at 4500 m. / 14.765 ft., wher the iceman starts to work. With an axe and spade he hacks out big blocks of ice from the ice wall. He then wraps them perfectly in a bundle of paramo grasses and ties them to the donkey. When the job is done, we start the descent and return to Riobamba. Accommodation in hotel.
Day 6: Altar Trek – Laguna Negra Paccha
Start 4-day trek to Altar (5319 m. / 17.451 ft.) This is one of the mos spectacular mountains of Ecuador and an excellent area for glacier hiking and climbing. On the first day of this trek we drive from Riobamba to the small village of Boca Toma at 3500 m. / 11.484 ft. We put the equipment on pack horses and start hiking on the paramo highlands of Sangay National Park. After 5 – 6 hours we arrive at Laguna Negra Paccha (4225 m. / 14.862 ft.), where we will pitch our tents. From this camp you have very good views of the south face of El Altar. Accommodation in tents.
Day 7: Altar Trek – Italian Camp
Today we will take a hike on the glaciers of Altar and practice walking with crampons and rope. With clear weather we have marvellous views of the Laguna Pintada – the biggest lagoon in this area – and of great part of the Sangay National Park. After about 6 hours we reach the Italian Camp at 4600 m. / 15.092 ft., our camp for the second night. Accommodation in tents.
Day 8: Altar Trek – Ascent Monkey Hippy
Early in the morning we depart from the Italian Camp to climb the Monkey Hippy (5050 m. / 16.569) which is one of Altar’s more easy peaks and a good training for the ascents of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. By noon we return to the Italian Camp. After a rest we continue the trek to the refuge of Collanes, at 3800 m. / 12.468 ft. Accommodation in refuge.
Day 9: Altar Trek – Laguna Amarilla
After breakfast we follow the Collanes Plain to Altar’s crater lake, Laguna Amarilla. From the plateau at 4300 m. / 14.108 ft. we have very good views of the turquoise-green lake and the snow-capped peaks. Condors are still seen around here. Early in the afternoon we hike down to Releche, where our car will be waiting for the transfer back to Riobamba. Accommodation in hotel.
Day 10: Devil’s Nose Trainride
Early in the morning transfer from your hotel to the train station where you will join the famous train to the Devil’s Nose. Sitting on the roof of the train you can enjoy the views of the Andean highlands and life on the countryside. The trip finishes in the small town of Alausí, where our driver will be waiting for you to drive you back to Riobamba. Accommodation in hotel.
Day 11: Cotopaxi Refuge
Departure by car from Riobamba and drive to Cotopaxi, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes. We drive up to 4600 m. / 15.092 ft. and from there you hike with the equipment to the refuge at 4800 m. / 15.748 ft. In the afternoon you will hike to the glacier where the guide will give you instructions for the climb. Dinner and rest in the refuge.
Day 12: Ascent Cotopaxi
We rise before midnight and after a light breakfast start the ascent. After about 45 minutes we reach the glacier where we rope up and start using the crampons and ice axe. During the ascent we cross several crevasses. It takes about 6 hours climbing to reach the summit (5897 m. / 19.348 ft.) from where you will have a breath-taking view of the Ecuadorian Andes. You can also look into Cotopaxi’s big round crater. The descent to the refuge takes about 3 hours. In the afternoon we return to Riobamba.
Accommodation in hotel.
Day 13: Riobamba
Rest day in Riobamba. Optional: visit the town’s Saturday market or relax in the thermal pools of Guayllabamba. Accommodation in hotel.
Day 14: Chimborazo Refuge
Departure to Chimborazo, the highest mountain of Ecuador and, due to the equatorial bulge, the farthest point on the earth’s surface from the centre of the earth. We drive from Riobamba to the first refuge at 4800 m. / 15.749 ft. From here you have to hike for about 50 minutes with your equipment to the Whymper refuge at 5000 m. / 16.405 ft. Dinner and rest in the refuge.
Day 15: Ascent Chimborazo
An early start before midnight. After 1 – 2 hours we reach the glacier and after 1 more hour we reach El Castillo (5350 m. / 17.553 ft.) From here it takes another 4 hours to reach the Veintimilla summit (6276 m. / 20562 ft.) and 1 more hour to traverse to the maximum Whymper summit (6310 m. / 20.703 ft.) The descent to the refuge takes about 3 – 4 hours. At noon we return by car to Riobamba and in the afternoon transfer back to Quito.
Accommodation in hotel.
Day 16: Quito
Transfer to Quito Airport for international departure or extension to the Galapagos Islands or the Amazon Rainforest.
DEPARTURE: any Monday
WE PROVIDE:
- professional mountain guides (ratio 1 guide: 2 clients for Cotopaxi and Chimborazo)
- all transfers by private car according to the itinerary
- hotel accommodation in small but comfortable tourist class hotels. Double room with private bath and hot water, including breakfast
- accommodation in double tents and refuges during the trek and climbs
- complete meals, coffee, tea and drinking water during the treks and climbs
- all camping and climbing equipment
The price of this package depends of the group size. If you want information about the price and availability, please
click here
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