MOUNTAIN FACT FILE - COTOPAXI: 5,897m (19,347´). 55km South of Quito. Grade3C.
MOUNTAIN PROFILE: Cotopaxi is a strata volcano and is the most popular climb in Ecuador and probably in the whole of South America. It is the second highest summit in the country and has an almost symmetrical cone that rises from a highland plain of about 3,800 metres (12,500 ft), with a width at its base of about 23 kilometres (14 mi). It has one of the few equatorial glaciers in the world and is clearly visible from Quito.
THE ASCENT: By the normal route at midnight from the Refugio Jose Rivas. 6-8 hours of ascent through a crevasse ridden glacier where roped travel is required for the entire ascent and decent. No real technical difficulties but experience in the use of ice axes and crampons would be very beneficial.
Your itinerary will include a brief description of our trip and an outline of your stays and meals provided. We normally only provide a breakfast at any of our city stop over locations as it gives you the opportunity to vary your cuisine by not being tied to a hotel menu. However where we think your culinary choice is limited we have included additional lunches or evening meals. We can provide full board trips on request i.e. through personal choice or if any person has any special dietary needs.
H=Hotel, R=Refuge, Lo=Lodge, Ha=Hacienda, T=Tents, B/L/D=Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner, PL=Packed Lunch.
Day 1: QUITO - ARRIVAL DAY. (H)
You will be met in the airport and be driven to your hotel where you will relax in Ecuador’s capital.
Day 2: QUITO - PASOCHOA HIKE. (H/B/PL)
You will have your first acclimatisation hike up Pasochoa peak at 4,199m (13,766´) on the outskirts of Quito.
Day 3: QUITO - PICHINCHA HIKE. (H/B/PL)
You will have your second acclimatisation hike up Pichincha peak at 4,784m (15,696´´) again not far from Quito.
Day 4: MACHACHI - DRIVE SOUTH TO MACHACHI. (T/B/PL/D)
We will drive to Machachi and hike to our base camp to climb Iliniza Norte 5,126m (16,818)
Day 5: MACHACHI - ILLINIZA NORTE SUMMIT DAY. (T/B/PL/D)
We will climb from our tented base camp to climb this exhilarating peak. We will drop down to our campsite to stay another night before our attempt on Cotopaxi.
Day 6: COTOPAXI - DRIVE TO THE REFUGE. (R/B/L/D)
We will hike out from our overnight campsite and drive to the refuge to review crampon and rope skills in the afternoon then relax before your 6-8 hour ascent at midnight.
Day 7: COTOPAXI - SUMMIT DAY (Lo/B/L/D)
After you descend from the summit about mid morning we will stay at the Tambopaxi acclimatisation centre.
Day 8. COTOPAXI - RESERVE WEATHER DAY AND DRIVE TO BANOS. (H/B/L)
We will keep this day as a reserve bad weather day or otherwise drive further south to Banos.
Day 9: BANOS - REST DAY. (H/L/B)
This will be a rest day or you can have the option of a horse ride (Subject of an additional surcharge to the advertised price*).
Day 10: BANOS - MOUNTAIN BIKING. (H/L/B)
We will mountain bike down the incredible Puyo gorge.
Day 11: BANOS - WHITEWATER RAFTING. (H/L/B)
We will be whitewater rafting the upper Napo River.
Day 12: QUITO - DRIVE BACK TO QUITO. (H/B)
We will drive back to Quito so you can make the most of your time in Ecuador´s capital.
Day 13: QUITO - SIGHTSEEING AND SHOPPING. (H/B)
You can spend the day sightseeing at the old historic centro and shopping before your flight home.
Day 14: QUITO - DEPART FOR HOME. (B)
We will take you to the airport and you will fly home.
On our trips we include transport to and from the airport on arrival and departure, all transportation or travel in country including any internal domestic flights, all hotel and trekking lodge accommodation, a dedicated AB leader and all in country guides and porters, any park, mountain fees or permits and any sightseeing/tourist entry fees. Breakfasts at all hotel stays will be provided but lunches and dinners will only be provided where indicated. All meals will be provided during the duration of any trek or climb.
All booked activities and the use of any group equipment such as tents, cooking equipment are included but any additional activities booked with our in country providers will be subject to an additional surcharge.
Hotel = 9 nights, Refuges = 1 nights, Lodges = 1 nights, Tents = 2 nights (13 nights total).
Breakfasts = 13, Lunches =6, Packed Lunches = 4, Dinners = 4 (27 meals out of a possible 38)