Ecuador Volcanoes

Ecuador Volcanoes


From £2,645
Altitude 6,268m Grade: 2B

This is an ideal first expedition that combines the opportunity to develop winter and alpine skills with climbing some wonderful snowcapped peaks that reach over 6000m!

Ecuador is an astonishingly beautiful country that has some of the highest volcanoes in the world. Our Ecuador Volcanoes expedition tackles four of the best volcanic peaks, with a careful programme of acclimatisation and skills development to ensure you have the best chance of success, comfort and enjoyment combined with sufficient rest days to absorb the culture and visit the colorful Indian market of Otavalo. You will be astounded at the unusual volcanic rock landscapes and luxuriant vegetation that gives Ecuador its unique environment.

We initially climb on the volcanic peaks of Pasochoa (4200m) and Illinizas Norte (5116m) before taking time out to visit the vibrant Otavalo market. One day of skills training is given before we attempt our next Ecuador volcanoes, Cayambe (5790m) a beautiful glaciated peak and ideal preparation for the classic summit, Cotopaxi (5897m) and for those doing the extension our final peak Chimborazo (6268m), the highest peak in Ecuador and the furthest point from the centre of the earth. The views of the surrounding natural wonders and volcanic peaks are a spectacle to behold. Through the clouds you will be able to gaze upon your previous endeavors and savour the clear air and views of the distant Andes.

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Dates & Prices

Show prices in
All prices in Euros are guide rates, not live rates
All prices in US Dollars are guide rates, not live rates

Availability

Dates
Flight Inclusive
AvailabilityDays
With Flight
Price
Land Only
Price
With Flight
Select
10th Aug 2024 - 23rd Aug 2024 Spaces14 £2,645£3,445 Book Now
7th Sep 2024 - 20th Sep 2024 Guaranteed14 £2,645£3,445 Book Now
21st Dec 2024 - 3rd Jan 2025 Spaces14 £2,645£3,445 Book Now
28th Dec 2024 - 10th Jan 2025 Spaces14 £2,645£3,445 Book Now
4th Jan 2025 - 17th Jan 2025 Spaces14 £2,645£3,445 Book Now

* A deposit of £400 will be required at checkout.

Extras

Extras can be added per-person when you book onto a date

ItemPriceDays
Galapagos Islands from £1,895 (4 days) to £2,600 (5 days) £1,895
Chimborazo (+3 days) £625+3 days
Adventure Peaks Logoed Kit Bag (Non UK addresses + Postage) £85

* A deposit of £200 (or the full extra price, whichever is lower) will be required at checkout for each extra added per-person on this trip

What's Included

  • International flights from London (Flight inclusive package)
  • A British expedition team leader. (Small groups may use a local leader.)
  • Permits, charges, importation taxes and levies payable to the Local Authorities in connection with the expedition.
  • Transfers to and from the in-country airport if flights booked with Adventure Peaks
  • Food, fuel and cooking equipment whilst on the mountain.
  • Hotel and other accommodation on as detailed on the trip dossier .)
  • All tents and other communal equipment necessary for the climb.
  • Medical safety equipment and supplies.
  • All team members will receive a free logoed trip T-Shirt with the name of your Expedition on it.
  • 24 hour back up and support from UK staff
  • 15% discount off the RRP on equipment and clothing purchased from Adventure Peaks shop

What's Excluded

  • Travel to and from UK airport
  • Personal climbing clothes and equipment.
  • Personal insurance, visas if applicable, departure tax and inoculations.
  • Transfers to and from the in-country airport if flights NOT booked with Adventure Peaks
  • Drinks and hotel or guest house meals, unless specified.
  • Personal medical supplies and personal use of communication equipment if supplied.
  • Excess baggage.
  • Tips for porters and local guides.
  • Costs associated with an expedition finishing early.
  • Costs associated with you leaving an expedition early.
  • Costs associated with extending a trip due to bad weather or other circumstances.

Itinerary

Day 1: International flight to Quito

Day 2: Quito - Arrive in Quito and settle into your hotel. Meet with the rest of the team and start to acclimatize to the thin air. Quito is 2850m so you may already feel slight effects of the altitude. (H)

Day 3: Acclimatisation Quito - Visit the old city of Quito, the best conserved colonial town in South America. The fabulous, richly decorated churches, museums, squares and the numerous colonial buildings come under the banner of “Cultural Heritage of Humanity”. Lunch in town (not included), and then an ascent of Cruz Loma (4050m) by cable railway for an unforgettable view of the capital and the highest Ecuadorian summits. (H, B)

Day 4: Ascent of Pasochoa (4200m) - A short journey out of Quito allows you to take a lovely acclimatisation walk and up Pasochoa where there is a very good chance to see the magnificent Condor soaring above us. Overnight in Machachi (Puertas al Corazon Lodge) (Ld, B, L)

Day 5: Illiniza’s Refuge - After breakfast we head south following the famous “Volcanoes Valley”, to reach the small village of El Chaupi located at the foot of the twin summits of Illinizas Norte and Sur. We transfer to the place known as “La Virgen” (3900m) walk up to the Illiniza’s Refuge (R, B, L, D)

Day 6: Illinizas Norte summit (5116m) - Early in the morning we leave the camp, the next 2 or 3 hours walking is fantastic and brings us to the pass between the two summits. A further 2 hours are needed to climb the north peak of Illinizas (5116m). This route does not present any major difficulties although you may need to use your hands at a few points. Overnight at Hotel El Indio Inn. (H, B, L)

Day 7: Otavalo – Cayambe Refuge (4600m) - Today we head towards Cayambe via the Otavalo Indian market, the most famous and colourful Indian market in Ecuador. After lunch we transfer to the Cayambe refuge (4600m). The  vehicle will drive as far up the rough trail as possible, followed by a walk of 1 to 1.5 hrs to the Refuge with a small backpack. (Your mountain backpack and food will be transferred by 4WD vehicle). (R, B, L, D)

Day 8: Skills workshop on the Cayambe glacier -  We meet with our mountain guides and walk up to the glacier at about 4800m to start a practical snow and ice technique course - ice axe and crampon work, progression in snowfields, rope handling, belays in snow, self-arrest, study of the different snow types, different progression techniques on 40 to 80 º slopes, natural and artificial ice anchors, knots. Back to the refuge at the end of the afternoon. (R, B, L, D)

Day 9: Cayambe summit (5790m) - Lasso - We leave the refuge at around 1:00am to attempt Cayambe (5790m). This is a reasonably technical summit, but we should be topping out for sunrise and back to the refuge by mid morning.  After a light brunch we will continue down and transfer to Lasso for a well-deserved celebration. (H, B, L)

Day 10: Cotopaxi Refuge - After breakfast we leave for the Cotopaxi National Park. A dusty road takes us up to 4600m, just 200m below the Cotopaxi refuge (4800m). With food & equipment this takes around 45 minutes up a sandy  path to the Refuge. (R, B, L, D)

Day 11: Cotopaxi summit (5897m) - After a midnight alarm call we aim to depart from the refuge at 1:00am to climb the world’s highest active volcano (5897m). This ascent is almost totally on glacial terrain but without any major  difficulties. There are only a few crevasses and these are well marked. Only the presence of fresh snow or strong winds can make this ascent a difficult one. It will take you around 6 to 7 hours to appreciate the magnificent summit cone. Back to the refuge around 10:00 am for a light lunch before continuing down to the road

Day 12: Return to Quito or Chimborazo Summit Extension group to the town of Riobamba.

Day 13: Drive to Carrel Hut ascend to Stubel Camp. Today we head up to carrel hut in preparation for our attempt on Chimborazo the highest mountain in Equador and in its own way the tallest in the world, its summit being the furthest from the centre of the earth due to equatorial buldge! From the Carrell Hut we walk about two hours up to Stubel camp, porters carry group gear. (C, B, L, D).

Day 14: Chimborazo summit (6268m) Another midnight wake up call, as 8 to 9 hours are needed to reach Ecuador's highest summit. This new route that follows the Stubel glacier is free from the danger of rock fall that had previously plagued the original route. The ascent is quite long with a height gain of 1260m (approx. 8hrs up and 3hrs down) but with good weather the views are stunning and ‘Chimbo’ provides a fitting conclusion to the expedition. (H, B, L).

Day 15: Spare Summit day/return to Quito To increase the chances of success, two days are dedicated to the ascent of Chimborazo (H, B).

Day 16: Return international flight Breakfast and transfer to the airport to take your flight home. (B).

Day 17: Arrive back in the UK

Insurance

It is essential for a trip of this type that you are adequately insured. When researching insurance options, please ensure the policy covers you for the following:

  • Cancellation or curtailment
  • Helicopter rescue (most insurance companies will no longer cover for ‘search and rescue’ but providing you stay with the group, they will assist with ‘rescue’)
  • Repatriation
  • The altitude that you are expected to attain
  • The location especially when travelling to Antarctica
  • Grade of trek/climb/expedition
  • Medical cover

Adventure Peaks partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading travel protection services. Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue to provide our clients with medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services. Without a membership, an emergency evacuation could cost over $100,000. More than one million members trust Global Rescue to get them home safely when the unexpected happens. We highly recommend our clients enroll with Global Rescue, in particular for peaks over 7000m:
https://partner.globalrescue.com/adventurepeaks/



We are aware the following provide insurance:

For UK based clients:

Expeditions and Treks under 7000m - Campbell Irvine Direct : https://microsite.campbellirvinedirect.com/adventurepeaks/

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK) www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
Rothwell & Towler: www.world-first.co.uk Tel: 0345 908 0161 (under 6400m)
J S Insurance: www.jsinsurance.co.uk Tel: 0844 848 1500
Snowcard: www.snowcard.co.uk Tel: 01295 660836
The B.M.C.: www.thebmc.co.uk Tel: 0161 445 6111 (call and speak to Jim. Please note the BMC cannot cover Mt Damavand)
Dogtag: www.dogtag.co.uk Tel: 0800 036 4824 (Check excess etc)

For non-UK based clients:

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK): www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
AXA Worldwide Travel Ins: www.axainsurance.com Tel: +44 (0)844 874 0360
Ingle International: www.ingleinternational.com Tel: (USA) 1.800.360.3234
Insure for Less: www.insure4less.com.au (Australian clients)

You do not have to use any of the above, but if you make your own insurance arrangements documentary evidence of your own policy is required.

Please forward the details of your Insurance as soon as you have it: we need the insurance company’s name, their 24 hour emergency telephone number and your insurance policy number – admin@adventurepeaks.com

Reviews

Simon · 4 years ago ·

Ecuador was a stunning and fascinating country with friendly and very helpful people including the local guides. The highlight was topping Illiniza in brilliant sunshine, the high level camp on Chimborazo, summiting Cotopaxi in the clag, the final supper at Rodrigo's (great steak). Good company - excellent hospitality, really great food and great fun sight seeing locally. Rodrigo was a hard act to follow.

Ian · 4 years ago ·

Well organised trip with good accommodation between mountains. Information was good and timely. Rodrigo (Ecuadorean guide) met all our expectations and was flexible in his approach. Jason, the trip leader, was very friendly and approachable. The views from the high points were great.

Gareth · 5 years ago ·

Liked the Ecuador guides and culture. Thought the mountains were great and a good challenge.

Tristan · 5 years ago ·

I like the Company and have a good experience on trips, guides are top notch. Rodrigo made this trip, he went out of his way to make the trip as special as he could, this personal service requires acknowledgement.

Stuart · 5 years ago ·

The local guide Rodrigo was extremely friendly, knowledgeable, flexible and at all times was looking to make our trip as enjoyable as possible - we had a night in Banos organised by Rodrigo which was an added bonus (waterfalls and zip wires). We could not have asked for better, an excellent guide. The highlight was reaching the summit of Cotopaxi and spending a clear night at the campsite on Chimborazo.

Ryan · 5 years ago ·

Great guide, great country, great hiking. Rodrigo was the best guide you could ask for, very friendly, organised, helpful and informative. Was a pleasure to spend two weeks with him...travelling around beautiful Ecuador.

Andrew Forsyth · 7 years ago ·

An excellent trip. My first foray to altitude > 5000m since doing Kili 15 years before and while my initial aims for the trip were to surpass Kili's height (because everyone and their dog seems to have done Kili now) and to stand on the point furthest from the centre of the earth, the main result of the trip has been a strongly renewed interest in high-altitude mountaineering, which is to the trip's credit. All 3 of us summited Chimborazo and Cayambe - even though only Grade 2B do make sure you get your fitness levels up for those summit nights, though the 'training peaks' in the 1st week certainly help top it up. All 2 weeks were under the excellent guidance of Rodrigo, particularly during the descent of Cayambe in a 'once in 6 month' level white-out. He made some minor changes to the itinerary listed here but all seemingly to the benefit of acclimatizing (none of us suffered more than a v slight headache) and more interesting lodgings/camps. Couldn't fault him or his decisions. That all 3 of us are now exploring more technical and higher summit trips bares out the description that this is an ideal introductory trip to higher altitudes in a welcoming, off-the-beaten-track country. Shame we didn't get to try the guinea pig, but always leave something for next time. Now which AP expedition to do next....? p.s. do pick up a few alpaca throws at the Otovalo market - Xmas presents sorted! thanks AP / thanks Rodrigo


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