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The travelers really expect a spectacular nature and a rich culture. As one of the smallest countries in South America, Ecuador offers so much variety like no other. From the capital, Quito, we can easily reach the starting point for ascending numerous volcanoes, and thanks to the various summit heights, we can optimally acclimatize. The highlights are the shapely and famous Cotopaxi and the > 6000 m heigh Chimborazo. Our guide guides us safely to various peaks and brings us in between the rich culture and the lovable people of Ecuador. A combination of peak happiness and cultural experience!
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Itineraries
Day 1
Transfer airport - Otavalo
Transfer from the airport Mariscal Sucre to the nice town. Otavalo draws visitors every week who come to this native community to shop at the world-famous handicraft market. The market features a dazzling array of handicrafts including tapestries, hammocks, jewellery, paintings and colourful native clothing. Otavalo itself lies in scenic northern Ecuador (Imbabura Province), surrounded by volcanoes, rivers and lakes. For lodging, there wonderful local haciendas: centuries-old estates now converted into elegant hotels. Overnight in Otavalo.
Included meals: Box Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 2
Cuicocha Lagoon - Otavalo
We start explore the famous market of Otavalo, where you´ll have the option to purchase local handicrafts. The main market day in Otavalo is Saturday, however, this tour can operate on Tuesdays. Your professional guide will provide an explanation on the indigenous people of this area, such as the Quitu, Cara and other pre-Inca groups, and some information on the city. Afterward, you’ll have lunch, then go to the beautiful Laguna Cuicocha, which is located in a volcano crater and contains two green islands. An optional sail is available for US$2. There will be an optional visit to a wood shop where musical instruments are made, depending on your wishes and the time spent in the market and lagoon. Overnight Otavalo.
Included meals: Breakfast, box Lunch, dinner
Accommodation:Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 3
Hike Fuya Fuya volcano - Mitad del Mundo - Quito
After breakfast 7:30 am by our private transport will take you to the shores of Lake Mojanda at an altitude of 3.700m (12.100ft). From there we start our climb (2 hours) through páramo grasslands to the top of Fuya Fuya Mountain (4.265m, 14.000ft). At the top we enjoy a snack and the stunning views of the Mojanda lakes and surrounding peaks like Imbabura, Cotacachi and Cayambe. Finally, we descend and drive to Quito. On the way we will stop for lunch and visit the Quitsato Sundial is a cultural-tourist place located at La Mitad Del Mundo, near to Cayambe, 47 km at North of Quito. It was built in 2006 and inaugurated in 2007 as an independent, non-profit project in a 24756 ft² (2300 m²) area. Its main goal is to share crucial aspects of the astronomical knowledge of the prehispanic cultures of the region. The expositions are carried out by community members as a self-sustaining project. According to Google Maps, the central pillar is 4 meters below the true equator. Overnight Quito.
Included meals: Breakfast, box Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 4
Visit of Quito - Isinlivi
We start early in the morning, after breakfast at 8:30am. We will visit he old town Quito! The biggest, best-preserved colonial city of America was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and the second most important city of the old Inca Empire. After lunch will drive through “The Avenue of the Volcanoes to the small village of Isinlivi. In aproximately 3 hours we will arrived to the beatifull village. Overnight Isinlivi
Included meals: Breakfast, box Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 5
Isinlivi – Chugchilán
We start early in the morning and after breakfast at 7:30am. From here we will descend to the bottom of the Toachi Canyon and continue along the river through highland villages until we reach Chugchilan. The hike ranges from 4 to 5 hours and is moderately challenging. We will be staying at Cloud Forest Hostal, which is a basic, but friendly and clean hostel run by José Luis. Chugchilán is a well-known destination for hikers, it is a typical village of the mountain region in Ecuador. It has a small plaza, a church and a school, most of the people still use a horse or donkey as transport. Here, you will feel like you have gone back a few hundred years in time. Overnight Chugchilán.
Included meals: Breakfast, box Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 6
Chugchilán - Quilotoa Lagoon
As we climb from Chugchilán to Huayama we will have beautiful views of the Toachi River Canyon. We will watch the scenery change was we ascend the trails along the canyon walls, until we reach the indigenous village of Huayama. From here we will begin the challenging climb to the edge of the Quilotoa Lagoon. Here you can rest, taken photos, and appreciate the the magnitude of the crater and its lagoon. The hike ranges from 4 to 5 hours and is the most challenging day of the trip. Lunch at the nice indigenous restaurant and drive to El Chaupi Village.
Included meals: Breakfast, box Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 7
El Chaupi - Summit Iliniza Norte
Midnight will be our wake-up time and the departure to the top (19,347ft/5897m) will be around 1am, after having a light breakfast and getting our gear ready for the ascent. The climb will take us about 6 to 8 hours and once at the summit we’ll take our time for pictures of the crater and surroundings, and then we’ll head back down the refuge, which will take us 2 to 3 hours. Once at the refuge we will pack our belongings, have something to eat and go down to the parking lot, where our transportation will be ready to take us and drive to Baños City.
Included meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 8
Josè Ribas Refuge
We will leave El Chaupi in midday and drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park. From here we’ll drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (14,764ft/4500m) then we’ll hike for around an hour to the José Rivas Refuge (15,748ft/4800m). In the afternoon we’ll head up to the glacier for ice practice and training. We’ll learn some basic techniques which will include how to handle climbing equipment (crampons, ice axe, rope, etc.) then go back to the Refuge for dinner and rest.
Included meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 9
Summit Cotopaxi – Baños City
Midnight will be our wake up time and the departure to the top (19,347ft/5897m) will be around 1am, after having a light breakfast and getting our gear ready for the ascent. The climb will take us about 6 to 8 hours and once at the summit we’ll take our time for pictures of the crater and surroundings, and then we’ll head back down the refuge, which will take us 2 to 3 hours. Once at the refuge we will pack our belongings, have something to eat and go down to the parking lot, where our transportation will be ready to take us and drive to Baños city.
Included meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 10
Baños City free day
This is a relaxing day; in this beautiful town you can do it different activities that can be purchased on behalf of the passenger. 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.
Included meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 11
Hike Chimborazo High Camp
This picturesque town offers you a lot of possibilities to spend an unforgettable midday… You can relax in the famous hot springs. After we will drive to the Wildlife Reserve entrance for about 2 hours, until getting to the parking lot (15,744 ft./4,800 m), 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.
Included meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 12
Summit Chimborazo
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 to Riobamba.
Included meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 13
Ingapirca – Cuenca
On this day, we will see what activity we can do depending on the day, we can do the famous train of the devil’s nose or else we will visit the Inca ruins of Ingapirca on the way to Cuenca. A fascinating day trip to Ingapirca, the most northern fortress-temple remaining from Inca times. Sun-worshippers built this stone center on a promontory high above the Cañar valley, about 96 Km (60 miles) northeast of Cuenca and at an altitude of 10,595 feet (3,230 meters) above sea level. Ride through enchanting highlands, passing through the towns of Azogues and Cañar, with a short visit on Sundays to the market at Cañar. Upon arrival at Ingapirca stop at the on-site museum, and admire the stone fortress with several trapezoidal doorways and stone walls perfectly fit together, without mortar, of the Inca construction. There is an elliptical platform, known as the Temple of the Sun used for religious and ceremonial purposes, the barracks, the stone “Inca Face” and the zoomorphic carvings. Lunch at a pleasant inn of the area and later on continue to Tambo Coyoctor.
The Devil’s Nose, Nariz del Diablo, is a major attraction in the Ecuador. It’s a train route known as «the most challenging railway in the world”. The many hills are making this a rather rocky ride. Especially at the point where the train will slowly zigzag on a hill, about 90 degrees steep and 1800 meters above sea level, known as The Devil’s Nose.
Included meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 14
Cuenca
National Park of Cajas, 19 miles (30 Km.) west of Cuenca. Cajas is lake country, a protected 28,800-hectare area starting at 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) above sea level; the region shows remains of intense volcanic activity and glaciation. The highest point is reached on the road at Three Crosses, the water divides of those than go to the Pacific and to the Atlantic. The wind and drizzle can make it very cold, but the scenery surrounding these 230 lakes is splendid, for walking and hiking, for observing flora, fauna and bird life. The vegetation includes small forests of quinua trees, a high protein grain. These dwarf forests are home to many species of birds like hummingbirds and the gray-breasted mountain toucan. The cold lakes of Cajas are full of trout, and A visit to a trout-breeding hacienda is included, where lunch will naturally feature delicious fresh trout. After lunch we will visit the charming colonial city of Cuenca. Its marvellous historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that still retains all of its traditional charm. Cuenca is a city to be visited leisurely with strolls along flower-lined, cobblestone streets. Take photos along the riverbanks, stop at one of the many colonial churches, or peek into one of the many antique shops and art galleries. Overnight at hotel Cuenca.
Included meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 15
Cuenca – Guayaquil
On our trip to the Pacific, we pass El Cajas National Park, known for its over 200 lagoons and numerous rivers. At the highest point we make a short stop at the Laguna Toreadora and enjoy an incredible view over the lake landscape. Then we leave the Andes and drive to the coastal city of Guayaquil. Here, after lunch, we take a city tour, where we marvel at the Parque Bolivar with its numerous iguanas and the impressive town hall. The area «Cerro Santa Ana» is full of colorful and beautifully restored colonial buildings and we also have a fantastic view over the whole city. At the river promenade with its modern architecture we enjoy a last drink before it goes to the airport in the late afternoon.
Included meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
Day 16
Transfer to airport
Transfer to the airport depends on the time of your flights, remember to be close to the time of your flight and return to home.
Included meals: Breakfast, box lunch
Accommodation: Hostel/Hotel/Lodge
- CS Acclimatization Climbing Program
- Ecuadorian qualified and experienced (ASEGUIM/UIAGM) local mountain guides: Max 2 climbers per guide
- Registration in the SIB System (System of Biodiversity Information)
- A registered and fully licensed Tour Operator
- Technical mountain equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
- Land transportation and transfers
- Accommodation (see itinerary)
- All meals during the hikes and climbs (see itinerary)
- Porters, tents and camping utensils for Chimborazo High Camp
- Personal mountain gear (warm clothes, sleeping bags, sunglasses, head lamp, etc.)
- International flight tickets
- Hotel in Quito
- Meals and drinks in hotels
- Insurance of any kind
- Tips
- Other non-specified expenses
We kindly refer to our Terms and Conditions page which can be found in the footer of our website.
In Ecuador you can hike all year, but these are the seasons:
- High Season: June to August / December to January
- Low season: February to May / September to November
No prior climbing experience is required, but you should be in good physical condition and it is highly recommended that they have some backpacking experience.
Yes, we provide the technical gear (crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet) at no charge for our tours. Other gear can be rented as well.
