High Andes of Ecuador mountain tour, 15 days

Extreme Trekking | Mountain Biking | Mountain Climbing | Scuba Diving | White water rafting & kayaking | Other Adventures

Sample itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Quito
Arrival in Quito and transfer to the hotel. Evening briefing. (1 night hotel)

Day 2 Cuicocha crater walk
We drive to Cuicocha Lake in the crater of an ancient volcano, surrounded by typical highland vegetation. Cuicocha is a dormant crater lake located in the Western Cordilleras, 25 km west of Otavalo, near Cotacachi (a small town famous for its leather work) and at the foot of the extinct volcano of the same name. The lake is three km wide and has several islands, the remnants of lava domes. The volcano of Cuicocha has been very active during the last 15,000 years and had its last major erruption around 3,000 years ago, its lava streams covering the area of present-day Cotocachi town and Quiroga. 20 cm of ash covered the surrounding area. Following the erruption the volcano entered a dormant stage and water filled its huge caldera. Today's walk takes us around the lake on a good path. The flowers are superb, and there are often many interesting Andean birds, such as caracaras, buzzard eagles, humming birds and hawks, to be seen in the vicinity. The total distance we walk is 12km, between 3,050m and 3,450m. After the walk we make a brief stop at the small village of Cotacachi, famous for its fine leatherwork. We then continue to our hotel.

Day 3 Climb Cubilche
Day walk up Cubilche volcano (3,832m).

Day 4 Climb Imbabura
Day walk up Imbabura volcano. Imbabura 4630m is the peak overlooking Otavalo. It is a long walk up, with a short scramble near the summit. But the reward is worthwhile - the summit ridge affords superb views of Imbabura's impressive open crater and Lago San Pablo. Return to the hotel.

Day 5 Visit Yaguarcocha lake and Otavalo Market.
We set off early for Otavalo, one of South America's most famous Indian markets. It offers an excellent selection of woven tapestries, blankets, hand-knit sweaters and pottery. It’s great for souvenir shopping.

Day 6 Start the trek
We head south on the pan-American highway, passing Latacunga and Ambato till we reach Posada la Estacion at 3.680m in the hills of Urbina, starting point of our trek. The journey is stunning, as we pass many of the high ice-covered peaks of the avenue of volcanoes. Our 4-day trek takes us along the northern flanks of Chimborazo. At 6,310m this is Ecuador’s highest peak, and is one of the most impressive in all the Andes. On the last day of the trek we make the first of two acclimatization climbs; Carihuayrazo (5,018m), an extinct volcano. Afternoon walk and preparation of equipment for the trek. Camp

Day 7 Hike through the Abraspungo Valley
Today we hike for approximately 6 hours through the Abraspungo valley. We set up our camp at 4,800 meters at the base of Carihuayrazo near Laguna Negra. We should have excellent views of Chimborazo and Carihuayrazo. Carihuayrazo is located just north of Chimborazo and rises out of the valley of Abraspungo. Its tongue-twisting name means man of strong wind or mountain with much wind. The climb is straightforward, and doesn’t require any mountaineering experience. Camp.

Day 8 Carihuairazo summit
We have an early breakfast and then set off for our climb of the central peak of Carihuayrazo (5100m). We lunch on the summit, then head back to camp.

Day 9 Trek to the Chimborazo Carrell Hut at 4800m - Riobamba
We visit the Chimborazo Carrell Hut at 4800m then drive to Riobamba for some well deserved rest and relaxation before our attempt on Cotopaxi.

Day 10 Illinizas Base Camp
Free morning. Afternoon drive northwards towards base of Illinizas. Hotel

Day 11 Illiniza Norte climb
The peak of Illiniza Norte (5,120m) is our goal today. The two jagged Illinizas peaks are a mixture of rock and ice, the remains of one giant collapsed volcano. Setting off early we drive to the start of our walk. We walk across grassy plains to La Virgen, then climb to the refuge of Nuevos Horizontes (4675m).We then make our attack on the summit, with another 3 hours of walking and scrambling. From the top of Illiniza Norte, weather permitting, we have a beautiful view of nearby Cotopaxi. Hotel.

Day 12 Cotopaxi National Park
We head for Cotopaxi National Park. After a brief stop at the museum in the park we continue towards the base of this beautiful conical volcano. Acclimatisation walk or glacier school and camp.

Day 13 Walk to refuge 4800m. Overnight in refuge.
We leave our vehicle at the car park at 4,600m and walk for approx. 1 hour to the Jose-Rivas-Refuge at 4800m. There is plenty of time this afternoon to hike up to the glacier. Return to the hut, early dinner.

Day 14 Climb Cotopaxi, afternoon drive to Quito.
Cotopaxi 5,897m is Ecuador's second-highest peak and one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. It is a nearly perfect snow-capped volcanic cone, situated 55 kilometres south of Quito in Cotopaxi National Park. First climbed in November 1872 by Angel Maria Escobar (Colombia) and Wilhelm Reiss (Germany). Last eruption in 1904.

We start climbing at midnight after a small breakfast. The first 1hr 30mins is on scree and then we kit up, with crampons and ice-axes, and head up on snow and ice slopes, on a long and steady climb to the top. Crevasses may make for new route finding, but generally there is a well walked trail to follow. There may be one or two very short pitches requiring a little technical climbing - depending on ice conditions, but generally the ascent is straightforward - a long, hard slog on slopes of 30-45 degrees.

If the weather and snow conditions are good we should reach the summit in 5-6 hours. The view from the top is truly spectacular. After a few minutes to catch your breath and admire the panorama we make our way back down to the refuge and head back to Quito, where we spend the night. Hotel.

Day 15 End of tour

Tour operators offering this adventure:

Ecuador tours and Galapagos cruises : www.latintrails.com