Day 01: Arrival in Quito - City tour
Arrival in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, which lies at 2.800m above sea level. We pick you up from the airport and take you into the hotel Rio Amazonas International in the modern centre of the city. After a short break you get to explore this big city and learn something about its turbulent history. You will get to experience the new section of the city in the North with its many parks and tall modern buildings, the Avenida Rio Amazonas, the Plazas Santo Domingo, Independencia and San Francisco which are in the colonial section in the South of the city. Due to its many historical architectural monuments the UNESCO declared the old part of town a world heritage site in 1978. From the Panecillo hill in the South of the old part of town, where the high monument of the Virgen of Quito stands at with 43m, you have an impressing prospect. From here you have wonderful views over the red clay tile roves of the old part of town, the skyline of Quito in the North, as well as the surrounding Andean cordilleras range with its outstanding snow-covered mountain giants. Accomodation in double rooms in hotel Rio Amazonas International. -/-/-

Day 02: Camp at Carihuayrazo
Early in the morning at 7:00 we drive from Quito over the Avenue of the Volcanoes passing by Latacunga to Rio Blanco. After a 6 -hours walk we arrive at the camp which is situated at 3.800m, where we will set up our tents. Our camp is near the foot of the Carihuayrazo and provides us with a stunning view of the Carihuayrazo (5.100 m) and the Chimborazo. Excellent opportunity for taking pictures! B/L/D

Day 03: Acclimatization- walk
Today we will hike through Paramo vegetation of the Carihuayrazo to get acclimatized to the height. This typically Andean landscape is for several centuries settled by highland Indians, which still tend Lamas, Alpakas and Vicuñas close to our camp. Overnight stay in camp. B/L/D

Day 04: Peak of the Carihuayrazo
After a tasty breakfast we will start early in the morning with our full ice-equipment to climb the 5.100 m high Carihuayrazo. In about 3 hours the summit will be reached. The Lamas and Alpakas will be our only witnesses of our adventure. After having a rest at the peak it will take us about 1 hour to descend to the camp. Overnight stay in camp. B/L/D

Day 05: Chimborazo - Whymper Refuge
We will drive to the first refuge of the Chimborazo after having breakfast. The ascent to the Whymper Refuge at 5000 meters will take us mere half an hour. If the weather conditions are fine you will be able to do a little acclimatization walk. After having dinner we go to bed early. B/L/D

Day 06: Peak of Chimborazo
You will be woken up at midnight. After breakfast we start the 8-hour trip to the peak of the Chimborazo. At the peak we rest for a while before we start our descent to the refuge which will take approximately 4 to 5 hours. Transfer to Quito. Accommodation in Rio Amazonas International. B/L/D

Day 07: Relaxing day in Quito
This day we use for a rest or as a reserve in case that the weather the day before was bad. We spend the night again in hotel Rio Amazonas in Quito. B/L/-

Day 08: Flight Quito - Santiago de Chile
We will take you to the airport from which you will fly to Santiago de Chile. Transfer to the hotel. (tourist superior) B/-/-

Day 09: Santiago - Mendoza
Today's destination is Mendoza in Argentine. In the morning we take you to the airport, afterwards pick you up in Mendoza and take you to the hotel. In Mendoza you will receive your permission to climb the Aconcagua. B/L/-

Day 10: Puente del Inca (2720 m)
Transfer to Puente del Inca at 2720m (starting point for the Aconcagua ascent). Accommodation in a hosteria. B/L/-

Day 11: Confluencia (3200 m)
Ascent to the Refuge Confluencia (3200m). The luggage will be carried by mules to the campsite. B/L/D

Day 12: Plaza de Mulas (4250 m)
Ascent to the basecamp Plaza de Mulas (4250m). Base camp. B/L/D

Days 13-20: Climb of the Aconcagua
We have 8 days for the ascent of the Aconcagua. We set up 2 or 3 campsites. From the Plaza de Mulas we carry the luggage ourselves to the camp. In the Plaza de Mulas a cook serves us and in the higher base camps we prepare our meals ourselves. The steps of the ascent will be organized depending on the weather and the condition of the expedition participants. B/L/D

Day 21: Descent
Decent from the base camp Puente del Inca. The luggage will be carried again by mules. Overnight stay and dinner in the hosteria. B/L/-

Day 22: Santiago de Chile
Return journey to Santiago de Chile and transfer to the hotel. B/-/-

Day 23: Santiago de Chile - flight back home
After a last day in Santiago de Chile we will take you to the airport and say good-bye to you. B/-/-

Tour operators offering this adventure:

Ecuador tours and Galapagos cruises : www.latintrails.com