Climb Cayambe, Antisana, Cotopaxi, Carihuarizo and Chimborazo with Acclimitization

Acclimatization High Altitude Packages Climbing School
	Cayambe, Antisana, Cotopaxi &Chimborazo
Trip Dates: Length: 19 days Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate Price: Trip Highlights: Old Quito Tour: visit colonial churches with their grand altars made of Inca gold, sculptures and intricate carvings Standing at the top of Cotopaxi, and looking down inside its crater at its sulfur fumaroles Recuperating in the natural thermal springs that flow from the mountain side at Baños Sweeping views from the summit of Ecuador’s tallest volcano, on a clear day you can see down into the Amazon jungle basin and the many neighboring peaks	This trip takes you up four of Ecuador’s most popular snow-capped volcanoes, Cayambe, Antisana, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. The trip starts with a series of acclimatization adventures. First you will go on a city tour of colonial Quito and visit the Equatorial Line. The following days are filled with acclimatization hikes, up Fuya Fuya, Imbaburaand Carihuairazo. After you have acclimatized to the elevation, we will begin the high altitude portion of the trip. First we climb Cayambe Cotopaxi (5,897 m / 19,300 ft), one of the World's highest active volcano. At the top you will be able to look inside the crater and see its sulfur fumaroles and enjoy the panoramic views of the adjacent snow-covered volcanoes. After our ascent of Cotopaxi we visit Baños, a popular resort town at the base of Chimborazo. The streets of this quaint town are lined with shops and outdoor cafes, and the mild subtropical weather is perfect for leisure outdoor strolls and dining. The main attraction in Baños, though are the luxurious thermal springs- and rejuvenating in the healing springs is the perfect reward after a strenuous ascent up one of Ecuador’s tallest peaks! Then on to Chimborazo (6,310 m / 20,702 ft), Ecuador's tallest peak! At 6,310 m it is the tallest peak in Ecuador, and is among the most impressive in all of the Andes. Since the Earth bulges near the equator this snowcapped giant is not only the highest mountain in Ecuador, but also the highest in the world if measured from the core of the Earth outward to its peak. There were a number of summit attempts by Europeans of this local giant beginning in 1736 with the French explorers, but it wasn’t until 1880 when Edward Whymper successfully made it all the way to the peak. The trip ends with a train ride on the Nariz del Diablo (Devil's Nose), where you sit on top of the train enjoying the beautiful highlands! Chimborazo and Cotopaxi require ice-climbing equipment (rental equipment included in the trip package), excellent physical condition and lots of stamina. Most of the time, they are not technically difficult climbs but there are periods when hard ice conditions can make them very challenging. Note: Like all snowcapped peaks in Ecuador, avalanches are common during the day due to the more direct angle of the sunlight characteristic of regions this close to the Equatorial Line. As a safety measure, we will climb at night and reach the summit by 7:00 a.m., this will enable our safe return to base camp before the snow pack becomes too warm and soft.
		Day 1: Arrival in Quito (2,800 m/9,186 ft) Overnight: Quito Accommodation: Hotel Day 2: Guided tour of Quito's old town and a visit to "Mitad del Mundo" Overnight: Quito Accommodation: Hotel Meal: Breakfast Day 3: Climb Fuya Fuya (4,263 m/13,986 ft) Overnight: Otavalo (2,550 m/8,366 ft) Accommodation: Hotel Meal: Breakfast Day 4: Climb Imbabura (4,630 m/15,190 ft) Overnight: Otavalo Accommodation: Hotel Meal: Breakfast Day 5: Explore the famous "Plaza de Ponchos" and visit the small village of Peguche Overnight: Otavalo Accommodation: Hotel Meal: Breakfast Day 6: Transfer to Cayambe-Coca Reserva Ecológica Review glacier travel skills Overnight: Bergé, Ruales, Oleas Refuge (4,650 m/15,257 ft) Accommodation: Hut Meal: Breakfast, Dinner Day 7: Climbing Cayambe (5,790 m/18,996 ft) Overnight: Town of Cayambe (2,800 m/9,186 ft) Accommodation: Hosteria Meal: Breakfast, Boxed-lunch Day 8: Visit the Pyramids of Cochasquí (3,200 m/10,498 ft) Extra Cayambe summit attempt Overnight: Town of Cayambe (2,800 m/9,186 ft) Accommodation: Hosteria Meal: Breakfast Day 9: Transfer to Reserva Ecológica Antisana (4,340 m/14,238 ft) Overnight: Base Camp (4,610 m/15,124 ft) Accommodation: Tents Meal: Breakfast, Dinner Day 10: Climb Antisana (5,758 m/18,891 ft) Overnight: Papallacta (3,400 m/11,154 ft) Accommodation: Hostería Meal: Breakfast, Boxed-lunch Day 11: Soak in the famous Papallacta hot-springs or extra Antisana summit attempt Overnight: Quito Accommodation: Hotel Meal: Breakfast Day 12: Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park (4,600m/15,091ft) Overnight: Jose Rivas Refuge (4,800 m/15,748 ft) Accommodation: Hut Meal: Breakfast, Dinner Day 13: Climb Cotopaxi (5,897 m/ 19,347ft) Overnight: Baños (1,800 m/5,905 ft) Accommodation: Hotel Meal: Breakfast, Boxed-lunch Day 14: Enjoy a rest day in Baños or extra Cotopaxi summit attempt Overnight: Baños Accommodation: Hotel Meal: Breakfast Day 15: Transfer to Reserva de Producción Faunística Chimborazo Overnight: Hermanos Carrel Refuge (4,800 m/ 15,750 ft) Accommodation: Hut Meal: Breakfast, Dinner Day 16: Climb Chimborazo (6,310 m / 20,702 ft) Overnight: Riobamba (2,800 m/9,186 ft) Accommodation: Hotel Meal: Breakfast, Boxed-lunch Day 17: Free day in Riobamba or extra Chimborazo summit attempt Overnight: Riobamba Accommodation: Hotel Meal: Breakfast Day 18: Train ride on the legendary "Nariz del Diablo" Overnight: Quito Accommodation: Hotel Meal: Breakfast Day 19: Fly home Meal: Breakfast Note: Every effort will be made to adhere to the itinerary, but unforeseen circumstances may require last minute changes. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns and the health of climbers can all contribute to schedule alterations. Please be prepared to be flexible when necessary.

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Acclimatization High Altitude Packages Climbing School