Ecuador Volcanoes Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Quito (9,350 ft.)

Arrival in the capital city of Quito. Quito lies on a long and narrow Andean valley surrounded by high volcanoes at an elevation of 9,350 ft. Our guide will be waiting for you at the airport and will take you to the hotel.

• Altitudes: Quito: 9,350 ft.
• Travel times: Airport – Hotel: 45 min
• Accommodations: Hotel with WiFi and cell phone signal

Day 2 – City Tour of Quito (9,350 ft.)

We will spend the day sightseeing in Quito. The northern capital for the Incas, Quito is considered one of the most beautiful of all South American capital cities with its well-preserved colonial architecture and mild climate. We will visit the old town of Quito, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here we can acclimatize to the local altitude while taking an easy walk through narrow streets and historic squares, admiring the old colonial churches and houses. Before returning to our hotel, we will enjoy a great view of Quito from the top of El Panecillo hill. This day is an important foundation for our acclimatization. We will also have a thorough equipment check and orientation. Overnight stay in Quito.

• Altitudes: Quito: 9,350 ft.
• Travel times: Hotel – Old Town: 30 min; Old Town – Hotel: 30 min
• Accommodations: Hotel with WiFi and cell phone signal

Day 3 – Acclimatization Hike of Pasochoa (13,776 ft.)

Easy access from Quito makes Pasochoa (13,776 ft.) a great acclimatization hike. Our private bus will take us up to an altitude of 11,794 ft. From there we will start our three-hour hike to the top of this ancient volcano, where we will see three of the highest snow-capped Ecuadorian mountains: Cotopaxi, Antisana, and Cayambe. Two hours later we will return to the bus and drive to the beautiful Termas Papallacta hot springs. Papallacta has private hot pools in front of every room that are filled daily with perfectly clear hot water from natural hot springs. The spa also offers massages at very reasonable prices. We spend the rest of the evening enjoying dinner and relaxing in the pools. Overnight at Papallacta.

• Altitudes:
  • Mettler Parking Area: 11,794 ft.
  • Summit Pasochoa: 13,776 ft.
  • Termas Papallacta: 10,827 ft.
• Vertical gain (climbing): 1,981 ft.
• Vertical gain (sleeping altitude): 1,477 ft.
• Travel times:
  • Hotel – Mettler Parking Area: 1 hour
  • Mettler Parking Area – Papallacta: 2 hours
• Hiking times:
  • Mettler Parking Area – Summit Pasochoa: 3 hours
  • Summit Pasochoa – Mettler Parking Area: 2 hours
• Accommodation: Resort with WiFi and cell signal

Day 4 – Acclimatization Hike at Parcacocha Lake (13,350 ft.)

We will take an acclimatization hike through a beautiful group of mountain lakes up onto the high ridges surrounding Papallacta. This hike has excellent views of Lake Parcacocha and the surrounding valleys. After our hike, we return to Termas Papallacta for dinner and another evening at the spa.

• Altitudes:
  • Termas Papallacta: 10,827 ft.
  • Trailhead: 12,247 ft.
  • Parcacocha Lake: 13,350 ft.
• Vertical gain (climbing): 1,103 ft.
• Travel times: Termas Papallacta – Trailhead: 20 min
• Hiking time: Trailhead – Parcacocha Lake: 3–4 hours
• Accommodations: Resort with WiFi and cell signal

Day 5 – Acclimatization Hike to Antennas Peak (14,406 ft.)

We will do a short acclimatization hike from the Papallacta High Pass to the top of Antennas Peak (14,406 ft.) with great views of Antisana, Cotopaxi, and Cayambe. We then travel to the foot of Cayambe and check in at Yanacocha Lodge, located in the Andean grasslands with fantastic views of Cayambe.

• Altitudes:
  • Papallacta High Pass: 13,336 ft.
  • Antennas Peak: 14,406 ft.
  • Yanacocha Lodge: 11,982 ft.
• Vertical gain (climbing): 1,070 ft.
• Travel time: Termas Papallacta – Yanacocha Lodge: 3 hours
• Hiking time: Papallacta High Pass – Antennas Peak: 2 hours
• Accommodation: Yanacocha Lodge with WiFi and spotty cell signal

Day 6 – Technical Climbing Skills Practice

After breakfast we travel by four-wheel drive up to the Cayambe Hut. From here we hike for an hour up to the glacier for a climbing skills review and acclimatization. That evening we return to Yanacocha Lodge for dinner.

• Altitudes:
  • Yanacocha Lodge: 11,982 ft.
  • Cayambe Hut: 15,282 ft.
  • Cayambe Glacier: 16,070 ft.
• Vertical gain (day): 4,088 ft.
• Vertical gain (climbing): 788 ft.
• Travel time: Yanacocha Lodge – Cayambe Hut: 40 min
• Hiking times:
  • Cayambe Hut – Glacier: 1 hour
  • Glacier – Cayambe Hut: 40 min
• Accommodation: Yanacocha Lodge with WiFi and spotty cell signal

Day 7 – Prepare for Cayambe Summit Attempt

Today we move up to the Cayambe Hut, situated on the southern slopes of Cayambe with fantastic views of Glaciar Hermoso. Once at the hut, we spend the day preparing gear and planning the climb before heading to bed early.

• Altitudes:
  • Yanacocha Lodge: 11,982 ft.
  • Cayambe Hut: 15,282 ft.
• Vertical gain (climbing): 0 ft.
• Travel time: Yanacocha Lodge – Cayambe Hut: 40 min
• Accommodation: Cayambe Hut (no internet or cell signal)

Day 8 – Summit Attempt of Cayambe (18,993 ft.)

Cayambe, the third-highest mountain in Ecuador, is the highest and coldest point on the equator. We begin climbing around midnight to take advantage of better snow conditions. The route is not technically difficult but is physically demanding. After reaching the summit, we descend and travel to Hacienda Cusin for rest and recovery.

• Altitudes:
  • Cayambe Hut: 15,282 ft.
  • Summit Cayambe: 18,993 ft.
  • Yanacocha Lodge: 11,982 ft.
• Vertical gain (climbing): 3,711 ft.
• Travel time: Cayambe Hut – Yanacocha Lodge: 40 min
• Hiking times:
  • Cayambe Hut – Summit: 8 hours
  • Summit – Cayambe Hut: 3 hours
• Accommodation: Hacienda Cusin

Day 9 – Rest Day and Visit Otavalo Market

Today we enjoy a rest day and visit Otavalo, home to the largest market in South America, where you can browse world-famous textiles, artisanal crafts, leather goods, jewelry, and more. We then travel to Cotopaxi National Park and stay at Hacienda Los Mortiños.

Day 10 – Hike to Cotopaxi Refugio (15,900 ft.)

From our hacienda we drive into Cotopaxi National Park and hike from the parking area to the refuge, where we spend the afternoon resting and preparing for tomorrow’s summit attempt.

• Altitudes:
  • Parking Area: 15,230 ft.
  • Refugio: 15,900 ft.
• Hiking time: Approximately 1 hour
• Accommodation: Refugio José Rivas (no WiFi or cell service)

Day 11 – Summit Attempt of Cotopaxi (19,347 ft.)

We begin climbing around 1:00 a.m. The normal route is not technically difficult but is physically demanding, involving moderate glaciated slopes. After reaching the summit, we descend and travel to Baños for recovery.

• Altitudes:
  • Refugio José Rivas: 15,900 ft.
  • Summit Cotopaxi: 19,347 ft.
• Vertical gain (climbing): 3,447 ft.
• Hiking times:
  • Refugio – Summit: 7 hours
  • Summit – Parking Area: 3 hours
• Travel time: Parking Area – Baños: 3 hours
• Accommodation: Resort with WiFi and cell service

Day 12 – Rest Day in Baños

Enjoy a well-earned rest day in the beautiful town of Baños. We will visit the Avenue of Waterfalls in the morning and spend the afternoon relaxing in the town’s famous mineral-rich hot springs to recover before Chimborazo.

• Altitude: Baños: 6,000 ft.
• Accommodation: Resort with WiFi and cell signal

Day 13 – Hike to Chimborazo Base Camp (17,388 ft.)

We travel to Plaza Roja near the Carrel Hut before hiking approximately two hours to Castle Camp, where we prepare for our summit attempt.

• Altitudes:
  • Plaza Roja: 15,918 ft.
  • Castle Camp: 17,388 ft.
• Travel time: Baños – Plaza Roja: 2 hours
• Hiking time: 2 hours
• Accommodation: Castle Camp (no internet or cell signal)

Day 14 – Summit Attempt of Chimborazo (20,548 ft.)

We begin climbing around midnight via Castle Ridge. After reaching the Whymper Summit, we descend back to Castle Camp, continue to Plaza Roja, and travel to Riobamba for our final evening.

• Altitudes:
  • Castle Camp: 17,388 ft.
  • Summit Chimborazo: 20,548 ft.
  • Plaza Roja: 15,918 ft.
  • Abraspungo Hostelry: 9,022 ft.
• Vertical gain (climbing): 3,159 ft.
• Travel time: Plaza Roja – Abraspungo Hostelry: 1 hour
• Climbing times:
  • Castle Camp – Summit: 6–7 hours
  • Summit – Castle Camp: 3 hours
  • Castle Camp – Plaza Roja: 1.5 hours
• Accommodation: Abraspungo Hostelry with WiFi and cell signal

Day 15 – Travel Back to Quito

After breakfast we drive along the Avenue of the Volcanoes back to Quito. A farewell dinner will be held in the evening.

• Travel time: Riobamba – Quito: 4–5 hours
• Accommodation: Hotel with WiFi and cell signal

Day 16 – Depart Quito

Depending on your flight time, you may have the chance to sleep in, explore the city, and pick up some last souvenirs before we transfer you to the airport for your return flight home. We recommend scheduling a mid-day or early afternoon departure.

• Transfer time: Hotel – Airport: 45 minutes

Itinerary subject to change.