Technical Climbing in the Volcanoes

Duration

18D / 17N

Tour type

Mountaineering

Tour altitude

5500 M

Group size

2 to 10 people.

Description

Ecuador’s famous “Avenue of the Volcanoes” offers some of the finest beginner to intermediate guided mountaineering in the Andes, set amid a fascinating cultural backdrop. The combination of challenging volcano climbs, charming haciendas, amazing food, and great guides makes this one of our most enjoyable adventures and one of the best introductions to high altitude mountaineering for advanced beginners and a challenging trip for seasoned mountaineers as well.
Technical climbing in the volcanoes Illiniza, Cayambe, Altar and Chimborazo.
Illiniza, Altar and Chimborazo are the most important peaks of Ecuador with very technical and challenging ascent routes.
During these days of guided expedition you have to use all your ice climbing skills on Illiniza South’s ice walls. Then, you will climb the Altar, one of the most technical peaks of the northern Andes. Finally, the trip ends with an ascent of Chimborazo‘s frost wall.
This climbing expedition towards the summits of Illiniza, Altar and Chimborazo will be carefully progressive. That’s why we’ll start with some acclimatization climbs.
Difficulty: PD
Duration: 16 days
Season: October to march

Enquire Now!

Do you have questions about the tour? Contact us

Tour Program

Itinerary

Day 01

TRAVEL DAY • 9,350' | 2,800M

Upon your arrival in Quito, a taxi ride takes you to our hotel. Overnight at hotel in Quito

Day 02

EXPLORE QUITO • 9,350' | 2,800M

The day is spent exploring Colonial Quito. We start by heading northwest out of Quito to arrive at Mitad del Mundo (The Middle of the World). Here we visit that Intinan Museum and experience the Coriolis Effect firsthand. After attempting to balance an egg on a nail, we explore the Museum's exhibits on the first peoples of Ecuador. We return to Quito for a walking tour of Old Town. We visit at El Panecillo, a sculpture of Quito's Madonna, and take in the breathtaking 360 degree views of the city of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue our tour of the colonial architecture and streets such as the Calle La Ronda, Carondelet Palace, Independence Square, church of La Compania (1605), and the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535). There is time in the afternoon to relax and explore

Day 03

ACCLIMATIZE RUCU PICHINCHA (15,696' | 4,784M) • 9,350' | 2,800M

After breakfast we take a short drive from Quito to the teleferico (gondola) which will carry us to approximately 13,500'. From there we stretch our legs and lungs with an acclimatization hike on Rucu Pichincha. The hike is beautiful, with views of Quito and most of the snow covered volcanoes in Ecuador, including Cotopaxi and Cayambe. We return to the hotel and the afternoon is free to explore the city and organize our gear for our departure from Quito the following morning.

Day 04

NUEVOS HORTIZANTES REFUGIO • 15,100' | 4,600M

Early in the morning we’ll drive to the Illiniza Ecological Reserve. By the afternoon we will arrive at the trail-head. And after a 3-hour climb we are in the Nuevos Horizontes mountain Hut. It is located between Illiniza’s South and North peaks

Day 05

SUMMIT DAY ILLINIZA SUR (17,267' | 5,263M) • 11,400' | 3,475M

With an early alpine start, we set off for the summit of Illiniza Sur. Climbing a series of steep, glaciated ramps leads us to the summit in four to six hours. Round trip time will range from six to eight hours. We return to the hut and transfer to Quito, where we spend the night

Day 06

RESTING DAY

Rest day in Quito

Day 07

RUALES OLEAS BERGÉ CLIMBERS' HUT • 15,300' | 4,663M

We visit the Otavalo Market to experience the local culture, purchase fresh snacks and souvenirs. In the afternoon, we drive to the hut at the base of Cayambe

Day 08

SUMMIT DAY CAYAMBE (18,997' | 5,790M) • 8,960' | 2,730M

With an early alpine start for the summit, our route begins by climbing through some low rock outcroppings before stepping onto a spectacularly crevassed glacier. Once on the glacier, the route climbs directly to the upper reaches of the mountain, where a challenging final push to the summit awaits us. We return to Quito where we spend the night

Day 09

DAY OFF

---

Day 10

ITALIAN CAMP

Early in the morning we will move to Boca Toma Village. Here and with the help of mules we’ll hike about 5 hours through the paramo highlands. The final 2-hour ascent will lead us to the Italian Camp (4,550 m) where we’ll sleep

Day 11

EL ALTAR ASCENT

We start our ascent to El Altar at 3:00 a.m. It will take us about 9 hours to reach the summit of El Obispo. We will climb the steep snow and ice to the upper glacier. Then we follow a narrow gully of steep ice up to an exposed notch in the summit crest. Here we begin a steep and technically demanding rocky wall. On our way down, we will try to reach the Italian Camp. If we can’t, we will set up a high altitude bivouac

Day 12

RIOBAMBA

We will hike with the help of mules during the final stretch. Then spend a rest day in Riobamba

Day 13

WHYMPER REFUGE - CHIMBORAZO HIGH CAMP • 16,564' | 5,500M

A travel drive takes us to the Carrel Hut where we grab our packs and gear and begin a two and a half hour walk to our high camp, Stübel Camp. Once at high camp we spend time preparing for our summit attempt.

Day 14

SUMMIT DAY CHIMBORAZO (20,703' | 6,310M) • 13,123' | 4,000M

With an early alpine start for the summit, our route climbs towards the west-northwest to reach the base of a rock formation called "El Castillo" (The Castle). The route continues along the western ridge until we reach the Veintimilla summit. With the technical challenges behind us, we continue to the main summit. After enjoying the views, we begin our descent to high camp. then descent to the parking lot and transfer to Baños

Day 15

BAÑOS

During this day, we’ll have a city tour around Baños. We’ll go to Pailon del Diablo waterfalls and spend the night in a hotel

Day 16

ENDING POINT

Drive to Quito

Related tours. . .

Ecuador Volcanoes Expedition

Ecuador’s famous “Avenue of the Volcanoes” offers some of the finest beginner...