two day climbing tours
- IMBABURA VOLCANO
- ESTIMATED TIME: 9 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Average / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Low-Average
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (4.630 m / 15.190 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (2.800 m / 9.186 ft)
It is considered by the indigenous community to be a sacred mountain, is a volcanic mass which lies 110 km / 68,35 mi. north of Quito. At its feet lies San Pablo Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Ecuadorian Sierra. In order to ascend this mythical mountain, the first day we will visit the Otavalan artesian market. The following day in the early hours of the morning, we will begin the ascent. It is without a doubt, a stupendous alternative to experience a little bit more of the culture and the beautiful scenes of the Lakes Province.
- NORTHERN ILLINIZA
- ESTIMATED TIME: 9 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Average / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Average
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (5.126 m / 16.817 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (3.900 m / 12.795 ft)
Northern Illiniza, which stands close to its southern neighbor, is a rocky, steep and beautiful mountain that exceeds 5.000 m / 16.404 ft. of altitude and offers the opportunity to realize a variety of itineraries of ranging difficulty; the normal route being an excellent opportunity for someone who has no prior experience. To ascend, one must hike through a Polylepis forest and cross a demanding sandy section to the refuge at 4.700 m / 15.419 ft , where afterwards begins a final section of rock with easy climbing passages that will take you to the summit at 5.126 m / 16.817 ft of altitude.
- SINCHOLAGUA VOLCANO
- ESTIMATED TIME: 11 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Average-High / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Average
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (4.873 m / 15.987 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (3.600 m / 11.811 ft)
This very steep, extinct volcano is located to the northern side of Cotopaxi. We will travel to Cotopaxi National Park where we will stay the day before the ascent. The next day, we will leave the hostel early in the morning and head towards the starting site from where we will begin by walking across the moor and slowly enter the rocky section as the sun begins to rise. Finally, we will need to climb the last 25 meters / 82 ft. in order to arrive to the highest point from where we will descend by rappelling.
- MORURCO
- ESTIMATED TIME: 10 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Average / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Average-High
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (4.880 m / 16.010 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (3.600 m / 11.811 ft)
Morurco, located on the skirts of the south face of Cotopaxi, was formed thousands of years ago by the underground lava rivers of the great volcano of Cotopaxi. It is a lesser known mountain, despite reaching 4,880 m / 16.010 ft of elevation. This adventure allows for beautiful scenic views of incredible landscapes during the approach and an emotional climb to the summit which requires technical rock climbing knowledge.
- COTACACHI VOLCANO
- ESTIMATED TIME: 10 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Average-High / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Average-High
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (4.939 m / 16.204 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (3.600 m / 11.811 ft)
This majestic volcano with a sculpted, snowy crest is found in the Imbabura Province to the north of Quito. This first day we will hike to a campsite where we will get an early restful sleep in order to reach the summit the following day. The next day, we will get up early to make the final ascent across more technical terrain until we reach the last 30 meters which we will have to climb in order to reach the summit at 4.939 m. / 16.204 ft.
- SOUTHERN ILLINIZA
- ESTIMATED TIME: 8 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Average-High / TECHNICAL LEVEL: High
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (5.266 m / 17.276 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (3.900 m / 12.795 ft)
The Illinizas are two volcanic peaks located inside the Illinizas Ecological Reserve. The southern Illiniza differs from its northern neighbor because it is a mix of rock and ice which requires previous technical experience. During the ascent, one will have to negotiate sections of rock climbing until reaching the glacier, then continuing on by climbing on rock and ice to reach the summit at 5.266 m / 17.276 ft.
- CAYAMBE VOLCANO
- ESTIMATED TIME: 11 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Average-High / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Average
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (5.790 m / 18.996 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (4.600 m / 15.091 ft)
Cayambe, a beautiful active volcano with an altitude of 5.790 m / 18.996 ft is the third tallest in Ecuador and is located 60 km / 37,28 mi north of Quito inside of the Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve. This volcano was climbed for the first time by the English mountaineer and scientist Edward Whymper, along with the Carrel brothers in 1880. Today, it has become one of the most-visited tall mountains by mountaineers worldwide.
- COTOPAXI VOLCANO
- ESTIMATED TIME: 11 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: Average-High / TECHNICAL LEVEL: Average-High
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (5.790 m / 18.996 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (4.600 m / 15.091 ft)
The Volcano Cotopaxi, whose summit rests at 5.897 m / 19.347 ft., is a natural monument because of its unique beauty and it is also the second tallest mountain in the country, which makes it a challenge for mountaineers from all over the world. This glacier-covered volcano has an icy crater that is 800 m in circumference and can only be seen from high up on the mountain which is one of the most visited of Ecuador. It is located within Cotopaxi National Park.
- CHIMBORAZO VOLCANO
- ESTIMATED TIME: 12 hours
- PHYSICAL LEVEL: High / TECHNICAL LEVEL: High
- MAXIMUN ELEVATION: (6.310 m / 20.702 ft)
- MINIMUN ELEVATION: (4.800 m / 15.748 ft)
Chimborazo is the tallest volcano in Ecuador with an elevation of 6.310 m / 20.702 ft and one of the greatest challenges to national and foreign mountaineers worldwide. Today, this immense mountain demands that those who dare to climb are in good physical shape. Also, the acclimatization requires good technical capability and knowledge because of the constantly changing conditions due to the receding glaciers caused by global warming and the falling ashes of Tungurahua, a nearby active volcano.
