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Ecuador and its famous Avenue of The Volcanoes are one of the best places of the world for those who love mountaineering activities, variety of landscapes and challenging surfaces. This time we invite you to a very exciting hiking and ice climbing adventure across the green lands, the secret paths and the snow-covered peaks located along the Ecuador Line.
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Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival to Quito
Arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, where your Trip Advisor will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Quito, Ecuador’s vibrant capital. Take the rest of the day to relax and start acclimating to the altitude.
- Altitude: 2,800 meters (9,186 feet)
- Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Quito
- Meals:(-/-/-)
- Distance: 40 km from the airport
- Duration: 45 – minutes transfer
Day 2
Hike Pasochoa
We will pick you up at 8:00 a.m. Then we will drive for two hours to get to the Pasochoa parking lot. We will then hike through a large forest and when we are in the middle of it, a 4230-meter summit will appear. There is a steep sloop on the ascent, but once there we will have beautiful views. We will drive to El Chaupi village. Overnight at Iliniza Mountain Lodge.
- Altitude: 4230 meters (13,778 feet)
- Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
- Distance: 40-45 km
- Duration: 1 hour
Day 3
Hike to El Corazón Volcano
From El Chaupi village, we will start early in the morning after breakfast at 7:00 am. We will drive up to the trailhead (13,120ft/4.000m), where we start our hike. The first part of the hike takes us up through the small Andean grass. Then we will get on the sandy and scramble section, which leads to Corazón summit. The hike is about 4-6 hours long. Return to the Lodge.
- Altitude: 4788 meters (15,708 feet)
- Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 10 km
- Duration: 4-6 hours (including summit time)
Day 4
Hike to Nuevos Horizontes Refuge
Our adventure starts in the morning at 10:00 am. We´ll drive to La Virgen parking lot (3,900m), the starting point of our trek. From here, we embark on a 3-hour hike through rugged terrain and stunning landscapes, ascending to the Nuevos Horizontes Refuge. The air thins as we gain altitude, and the beauty of the Andean highlands surrounds us with every step.
- Altitude: 4,700 meters (15,420 feet)
- Accommodations: Nuevos Horizontes Refuge
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 5 km
- Duration: 2-3 hour
Day 5
Iliniza Norte Summit
Our climbing day starts at 5 am. We will have a light breakfast, pack our climbing equipment and leave the refuge an hour later. We will continue hiking up towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then to Illiniza Norte summit (16,818ft/ 5.126 m). The approach to the top involves an easy 3-hour scrambling. Once at the summit, we will enjoy and admire the beautiful surroundings.
- Altitude: 5,126 meters (16,818 feet)
- Accommodations: : Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 10 km
- Duration: 4-6 hour (including summit time)
Day 6
Hike to Cotopaxi refuge
From El Chaupi will drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until getting to the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. From here we will drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (4.500m/14,763 ft) then we’ll hike up for around an hour to the Jose Ribas Refuge. Then we will have dinner and rest until midnight. At this point we will pack our belongings and get ready to make our final ascent.
- Altitude: 4,864 meters (15,953 feet)
- Accommodations: Cotopaxi Refuge (Jose Rivas)
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 1.5 km (from parking lot to refuge)
- Duration: 1 hour hike
Day 7
Cotopaxi summit
Midnight will be our wake-up time and the departure to the top (19,347ft/5.897m) will be around 01h00, not before having a light breakfast and getting our stuff ready for the ascent, the climb will take us about 6 to 8 hours. Once at the summit we’ll take our time to take pictures of the crater and surroundings, and then we’ll head down back to the refuge, which will take us 2 to 3 hours. Once at the refuge will pack our belongings, have something to eat and go down to the parking lot, where our transportation will be ready to take us to Baños city. Overnight in the hotel.
- Altitude: 5,897 meters (19,347 feet)
- Accommodations: Hotel in Baños City
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/)
- Distance: Climb 10 k (round trip)
- Duration: 5 to 6 hours to the summit (including breaks) 2-3 hours back down
- Transfer: 3 hours drive to Baños
Day 8
Baños City Free Day
This is a relaxing day; in this beautiful town you can do different activities that can be purchased on behalf of the passengers. It's a free day its surroundings offer many possibilities like the route of the waterfalls, hikes inside the “cloud forest”, besides, depending on our interest, with an extra cost, we could try rafting, rock climbing, bungee jumping, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc. Night in hotel.
- Altitude: 1800 meters (5,905 feet)
- Accommodation: Hotel in Baños City
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
- Distance: (-)
- Duration: (-)
Day 9
Chimborazo High Camp
In the morning at 10:00 am we will meet with the guides to drive to the Chimborazo wildlife reserve. We will arrive at the refuge Hermanos Carrel. From there we will start the hike to the High camp in approximately 2 to 3 hours. We get to the high camp once here; we will stay in the Domes. In the afternoon we will prepare and double check all the gear for the climbing. Where we’ll have dinner and get some rest until 23h00. There will be an early light breakfast served just before getting ready with our gear and start heading up.
- Altitude: 5,300 meters (17,388 feet)
- Accommodations: Overnight in 4- season tents or Domes
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 2.5 km hike
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours (hike including breaks)
- Transfer (110 km) – Drive from Baños
Day 10
Chimborazo Summit
At midnight we will start our climb to the top of Ecuador’s highest volcano, Chimborazo, which will take us about 8 to 9 hours. We’ll get to the summit (20,702ft/6268) in the early hours, the perfect spot for resting and pictures of the beautiful surroundings. Then we’ll start our descending to the refuge; it will take us from 3 to 4 hours. Once in refuge we’ll pack our gear, where our transportation will be ready to drive up to Quito.
- Altitude: 6,268 meters (20,702 feet)
- Accommodations: Overnight in 4 – season tents or Domes
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
- Distance: 9 km (Round Trp)
- Duration: 5 to 7 hours to the summit (including breaks)
- Transfer: 230 km- Drive to Quito
Day 11
Deaperture to home
After a final breakfast overlooking the Andes, enjoy a private transfer to the airport. Depart Ecuador with unforgettable memories of breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural experiences, and luxurious moments. Until next time, Ecuador awaits your return!
- Altitude: 2,800 meters (9,186 feet)
- Accommodations: comfortable hotel in Quito
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/ -)
- Distance: 40 km from Quito
- Duration: 45- minutes transfer
- Mountain Climbing Local Insurance
- Ecuadorian qualified and experienced local Mountain Guide (ASEGUIM/UIAGM ratio 2 climbers -1 guide)
- Technical mountain equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
- Land transportation and transfers
- National parks fees and permits
- Registration in the System SIB (System Information of Biodiversity)
- Accommodation:
- 3 nights at Ilinizas Mountain Lodge
- 1 night at Nuevos Horizontes Refuge
- 1 night at Jose Rivas Refuge
- 1 night at Hotel in Baños
- 2 nights in Domes (Chimborazo High Camp)
- All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above)
- Tents, and camping utensils for high camp.
- International flight tickets
- Meals and drinks in hotels (lunch, dinner)
- Insurance of any kin
- Hotels in Quito
- Tips
- Travel accident and health insurance
- Luggage insurance and trip cancellation
- Other non-specified expenses
This 11-day expedition typically includes Pasochoa, Illiniza Norte, Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo. The itinerary may vary slightly depending on weather and acclimatization needs.
2. Do I need previous mountaineering experience?
It is recommended to have some hiking or high-altitude trekking experience. However, our certified ASEGUIM/UIAGM guides will support you through each stage, including training and acclimatization hikes.
You’ll ascend volcanoes ranging from 4,200 meters (Pasochoa) to 6,268 meters (Chimborazo) — the closest point to the sun from the Earth’s center.
Yes. The program includes progressive acclimatization, starting with lower peaks and advancing in difficulty to prepare your body for the high-altitude summits.
Yes, we provide all essential technical equipment: boots, crampons, helmet, harness, ice axe, and headlamp. You can also bring your own if preferred.
You’ll stay in a mix of comfortable mountain lodges (like Iliniza’s Mountain Lodge) and refuges near the volcanoes, with warm meals and cozy spaces to rest.
This is a challenging expedition, requiring good physical condition. Daily hikes range from 4 to 10 hours, with significant elevation gains.
Yes, we recommend that all participants have travel and high-altitude medical insurance before joining the tour.
Your safety is our priority. If a summit is not possible due to health, weather, or other conditions, we offer alternative hikes or recovery days, always guided by professionals.
You can book through our website or by contacting us at:
📧 info@cotopaxi-travel.com
📲 WhatsApp: +593 981333483
