Day 1: Quito
Depart the UK, arriving Quito same day. You will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel.

Day 2: After breakfast there's a tour of Colonial Quito, through its narrow streets and Moorish arches. Continue to the nearby lake of Pululahua formed in the crater of an extinct volcano and on to Mitad del Mundo (literally the Middle of the World) to can stand astride the line of the Equator, with one foot in each hemisphere. Return to our Quito hotel and overnight. (B,L)

Day 3: Otovalo Market / Lake Cuicocha
Head north of Quito, along the Pan American Highway, passing Cayambe Volcano, to Otovalo. Here you can wander among the cloths, tapestries and pottery of the colourful indigenous market. After a typical lunch continue to Cotacachi and on to Lake Cuicocha, for a short acclimatisation walk. Return to Quito and overnight. (B,L)

Day 4: Condor-paxi Trek
Head out of Quito towards Pasochoa Volcano, where the day's trekking begins. Walking towards the summit (4200m), there are views of the neighbouring peaks of Antizana, Ruminahui and Cotopaxi. Head South on an easy-going trail along the crater edge of this extinct Volcano. Descend and overnight under canvas in a lush valley below. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Cotopaxi National Park
Today's walk is flat and fairly easygoing, tracing the Northern boundaries of the National Park. The route passes the pre-Inca ruins of El Salitre with magnificent views of the Cotopaxi Glaciers. Conitnue to Limpiopungo valley and lake to tonight's campsite, with a wonderful view over the Cotopaxi and Ruminahui volcanoes. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Ruminahui
The longest day of the trek begins early with an ascent that follows the flank of the Ruminahui Volcano. En route there will be plenty of opportunity to spot birds of prey and the mighty Chimborazo is a distant backdrop. On arrival at the Park's western boundaries we will transfer to Iliniza base camp (4000m). Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Iliniza North summit
Today's hike traverses the Eastern flanks of Iliniza, to reach the summit at 5150m. This trek is excellent preparation for the Cotopaxi climb. We descend the eastern edge to the campsite where a vehicle awaits us for a transfer to Hacienda San Jose, a private family-owned lodge at the base of Ilinizas. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Cotopaxi base camp
The morning will be free to relax and enjoy the typical Ecuadorian ranch and after lunch we will transfer to Cotopaxi base camp. There may be time to stop at the Machachi Village market en route. Once at the campsite there will be time to go over details of tomorrow's big climb. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Cotopaxi
The day has arrived! Get up at midnight and, after a light snack begin the ascent to the summit (5897 metres). The first hour or two is a slow uphill trudge zigzagging over ash lightly dusted with snow. At 5050 metres you reach the permanent snow line and put your crampons on. Almost immediately your ice axe comes into play as you scale a small ice fall. At 5100 metres you'll be nearly ready to turn back, each step is more difficult than the last, and there is still 600m to go - vertical distance that is, and at least 4 hours' walking. You're in good hands though, the chances are that your guide will have climbed this peak 60 or 70 times before. He'll encourage you, cajole you, and ultimately, if you really can't make it, help you make that difficult decision too...Take the opportunity of a rest to change the batteries in your head lamp and replenish your own fuel - at 3am your body's natural blood sugar level is at it's lowest.

Gradually the route becomes less well-defined and passes vast crevasses and traverses at Yanasacha, the giant rock wall. And then the final steep climb to the crater rim at the summit. The crater itself is over 0.5 kilometres in diameter and emits jets of steam from fissures and vents. You should arrive at dawn and the views from the summit are unforgettable on a clear day. To the north Pichincha Volcano and the last predawn street lamps glow over Quito; to the south the snow-capped peaks of Carihuayrazo, Tungurahua and Chimborazo march towards Peru. The ascent should take between 5 and 9 hours and the descent between 2 and 4. On arrival back at the refuge (there's another 300 metres downhill over ash to the car park). From there you will be transferred to Quito for a warm shower, big meal and a good nights' sleep. (B,L)

Day 10: Quito
Final day in Ecuador, you may spend the day shopping, sightseeing or relaxing in the capital. (B)

Tour operators offering this adventure:

Ecuador tours and Galapagos cruises : www.latintrails.com