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Overview | Cayambe, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo
Cotopaxi and Chimborazo | Cotopaxi Express
16 Day Cayambe, Cotopaxi, & Chimborazo
November 1 - 16; January 16 - 31
Land Cost: $3500
Client-to-Guide Ratio: 3:1
Alternative route on the North side of Chimborazo offers better, safer route to summit!
13 day Cotopaxi & Chimborazo
December 1 - 13; January 2- 14
Land Cost: $3200
Client-to-Guide Ratio: 3:1
9 day Cotopaxi Express
November 15 - 23; December 1 - 9; January 2 - 10
Land Cost: $2500
Client-to-Guide Ratio: 3:1
Climb to 6000 meters. The peaks of Cotopaxi (19,348 ft.), Chimborazo (20,703 ft.) and Cayambe (18,997 ft.) are unsurpassed for acquiring high altitude climbing experience in a wonderful country. The culture - and the climbing - can't be beat. Find out why this is a world class mountaineering destination. Perfect for the climber who is ready to bring basic mountaineering skills into the high-altitude arena. Our expeditions have the most favorable client-to-guide ratio in the industry, because we feel this increases our chances for success on each peak, and makes for a better overall experience. Our guides are highly experienced at organizing and running our trips in South America, and we utilize unparalleled local logistics to ensure that our trips run flawlessly.
Ecuador is one of the world's most varied countries. From the Pacific, the land rises to the high central region--"The Avenue of the Volcanoes"--before dramatically dropping off into the Amazon Basin. Beginning in Quito, we follow a gradual acclimitization schedule that allows us to visit cultural sites, teach and review safe climbing techniques, and recover between climbs. Whether you are doing the Expedition Mountaineering School or the Volcano Climbing Expedition, the emphasis is on developing the skills and experience required to climb high altitude mountains safely and successfully.
Chimborazo - At 20,703 feet this is Ecuador's highest peak. It provides an ideal objective for climbers to test their skills and stamina on a 6000-meter peak. From the Whymper Hut (16,400 ft.), the standard route up the western flank makes a gradual ascent (30-35 degree slopes) up a glacial ramp to gain the long summit ridge. The technical challenges involve negotiating crevasses, a couple of short 40 degree headwalls (100-300 ft.), and sustained travel on firm glacial snow for more than 4000 feet! We depart in the middle of the night, ensuring that our 12-14 hour roundtrip is completed before the intense equatorial sunlights softens the glaciers.
Cotopaxi- This 19,348 foot peak is located in Cotopaxi National Park, an area rich with alpine lakes, pine forests, and abundant wildlife. Isolated high above the stark and desolate paramo landscape, Cotopaxi's striking cone-like symmetry is truly awe-inspiring. From the hut (15,750 ft.) we ascend a moraine to gain moderate glacier slopes to the summit. Along the way, however, complex crevasse patterns and snowbridge crossings over deep crevasses keep the climb interesting and provide impressive photo opportunities of amazing ice formations. After passing through a heavily crevassed area midway through the climb, we reach the final summit slope. Here a challenging section of 35-40 degree snow leads to the abrupt finish of the climb on the crater rim of the world's highest active volcano.
Cayambe - Interesting glacier travel and unspoiled beauty characterize the climbing on this beautiful 18,997 ft. mountain, the third highest in the country. With easy access from an uncrowded and well kept hut, the glaciers of Cayambe offer an outstanding venue for our Mountaineering School. A dry glacier with crevasses and varied snow and ice slopes provides an ideal site for learning glacier travel, crevasse rescue, snow and ice climbing, and other fundamental skills. The ascent of Cayambe weaves through broken glacier terrain to a point near the summit crater where oftentimes a gaping bergschrund provides an exciting climax to the climb.
A good mix of culture and climbing make this a well-balanced trip. The physically strenuous climbing days are mixed with peaceful rest days in unique villages and towns. Rest and acclimitization day activities include visiting local artesan markets, soaking in mineral hot springs, lodging and dining in historic haciendas, and visiting churches, plazas, and museums. Members should have prior basic mountaineering experience and need to be in excellent physical shape, however, no previous glacier experience is required as we introduce and practice these skills before each ascent.
Included in cost: An AMGA trained Alpine Guide, all ground transportation, hotels, tents. and food while on the mountain. All group climbing and camping equipment.
Not included in cost: Food and drinks in towns, personal climbing and camping equipment, and international air fare, costs of a personal nature, extra hotels or transportation due to illness, injury, or early return.
Prerequisites: Participants should have prior, basic mountaineering experience. They should be comfortable with self arrest, walking in crampons, and have basic roped climbing experience. If you do not possess these skills, or need review, we recommend doing a skills course with us in Colorado prior to your Peru trip.
Equipment: Download the Ecuador Volcanoes Equipment Checklist
Registration and Cancellation: You will need to fill out an International Expedition Application, cancellation policy agreement, and liability waiver, and send it to us with a 50% deposit 60 days before the trip date. Balance is due 30 days prior to trip departure date. Please click on our Registration/Travel link to access the required forms.
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