This incredible 12 day trip combines all the excitement of the seven day Ecuador Adrenaline Overload with an epic mountain climbing adventure, taking on three summits in five days. Not for the faint hearted, completing this trip is the ultimate prize in adventure travel bragging rights!
12 Day Ecuador Intro and Climbing Adventure
This is an amazing adventure to kick start your South America Gap Year.
You start off with seven days of adrenaline in and around Quito, the highest capital city in the world.
Over the next seven days you will settle into the Ecuador scene on the Ecuador Adrenaline Overload in and around Quito.
Highlights Include:
- Mountain biking down an active volcano
- Exploring historic Quito
- Stepping over the Equator in the Mitad del Mundo
- White water rafting in the Andes
- Horseback riding in the Avenue of the Volcanoes
- Marvelling at the stunning landscapes around Quilotoa Lagoon
5 Day Climbing Adventure!
After the action in Quito, the five day acclimatization program is designed to educate and instruct people in high altitude mountain climbing of 4,000 – 6,000m.
With a mountain base in PapaGayo nestled in the Avenue of the Volcanoes a perfect location because of its altitude (3,200m) and proximity to the volcanoes you will be taught the skills and techniques of high alpine climbing.
Fully supported with the assistance of a qualified and bilingual guide, this program acclimatizes and increases the fitness of climbers so it is possible to make a successful climb of some of the highest volcanoes in South America!
Summit three peaks
In five days you will reach the summit of three of Ecuador’s most famous volcanoes, the last being the mighty Cotopaxi which is the highest active volcano in the world!
These climbs offer spectacular and unsurpassed views of Ecuador and the Avenue of Volcanoes.
No climbing experience needed
Specially designed, this programme enables people with little or no experience to gain the ability and skills to climb some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. If you wish you can bolt on the three day summit to Chimborazo, see the full itinerary for more details.
Photos
Itinerary
The trip is split into two parts, the Ecuador Adrenaline Overload and then the Mountain Climbing Adventure.
The first seven days
Day 1: Arrive to Quito, transfer from airport to hostel.
Day 2: Quito city tour
Day 3 White water rafting
Day 4: Visit an Awesome craft market
Day 5: Mount Up! Horseback riding
Day 6: Quilotoa lagoon
Day 7: Cotopaxi bikes
The Mountain Climbing Adventure
Day eight: Pasochoa 4,199m (13,700ft) (B,L,D)
- 7:30, A sumptuous breakfast of your choice will be served bright and early in preparation for your first climb.
- 08:15, We will depart by car to the base of Pasochoa.
- 09:45, The first climb begins. Make sure to take your camera, as this hike provides many beautiful photo opportunities!
- 12:30, Reach summit. A packed lunch will also be served to keep your energy up.
- 15:00, Upon returning to PapaGayo you will be rewarded with a delicious slice of cake and a steaming cup of coffee or tea.
Day nine: Illinizas Norte 5,126m (16,800ft) (B,L,D)
- 06:30, A delicious breakfast of your choice will be served bright and early in preparation for your climb.
- 07:00, We will depart by car to the base of the Illinizas.
- 08:30, We will begin our ascent to the rugged peaks of the Illinizas, taking a break for an energy packed lunch and of course to take in the magnificent views these mountains provide!
- 12:00, Lunch
- 13:30, Reach the summit
- 16:30, Upon returning to PapaGayo a delicious slice of cake and a steaming coffee/ tea will be waiting for you.
Day ten: Day off at PapaGayo 3,200m (B,L,D)
- 08:00, A giant breakfast of your choice will be served in preparation for your day.
- 10:00, Optional hiking or biking in the area of PapaGayo or relax in the hosteria’s gardens… You can take a lunch box or have lunch after the tour at PapaGayo.
- 19:00, A delicious dinner will be served at PapaGayo.
Tour Schedule (Note: All times are approximate, except starting time).
Day Eleven: Cotopaxi preparations 4,800m
- 08:00, A giant breakfast of your choice will be served in preparation for your day.
- 10:00, Pick up from PapaGayo and check equipment.
- 11:00, Depart for Cotopaxi National Park (entrance fee: $2).
- 12:00, Arrive at the parking lot at 4,500m and begin hike up to “Jose Rivas” refuge.
- 13:00, Reach refuge at 4.800m.
- 14:00, Lunch.
- 15:00, Explanation on the climb:
- Crampon techniques.
- Ice axe use.
- Self arrest.
- Roped team travel.
- Pressure breathing.
- 17:30, Dinner.
- 18:30, Sleep.
- 23:30, Wake-up, eat a small snack and gear up for climb.
- 24:00, Begin climbing!
Day twelve: The final climb Cotopaxi 5,897m (19,300ft) (B,L)
- Sunrise, depending on your climbing experience, you will arrive at the Summit of Cotopaxi for a magnificent display of colours as the morning sun begins to flood the sky.
- 10:00, Arrive to the Refugio, after a successful climb, enjoy much deserved snacks.
- 11:30, Leave Cotopaxi National Park towards PapaGayo.
- 13:00, For an addition $10 local payment, a delicious and relaxing lunch will be served back at PapaGayo, complete with a well deserved beer.
- 14:30, Stay at PapaGayo or return to Quito and perhaps order some new legs at this point.
The trip ends here, you can then do some onward travel, with the Ultimate Ecuador Trip, take a trip to the Galapagos Islands or even head in to the Amazon Rainforest. Talk to us about adding further legs to your Journey.
Accommodation
The first three nights you will stay in a hostel in Quito. On day four we bring you to a great accommodation in Cotopaxi national park. During the climbs you stay in special camps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What levels of fitness do I need?
Ok, so you need to be prepared, Cotopaxi is high and the air is thin, but you do not have to have any previous experience of mountain climbing. That being said, do some preparation before you travel, as this will make the world of difference.
“I trained for about 6 months a combination of weights and running/biking/hiking. Probably should have focused more on cardiovascular though, and my calf muscles really cramped up on me by the time we got to the summit.” Cotopaxi is 5,896 m (19,344 ft) and it has some really steep sections. “I’m not a professional climber, I thought it was challenging in some places and really easy in others. As long as you are in shape, you will make it to the top and back down safely. Good Luck!”
Are there extra costs for equipment?
Price
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Included
- Accommodation (hostels)
- Meals as indicated on itinerary
- Transfer from airport to city centre on day one
- Trip related transfers
- Activities as indicated on itinerary
Specialist equipment hire Included
- Polar pants
- Plastic climbing boots
- Gators
- Polar jacket
- Crampons
- Outside gloves
- Waterproof pants
- Ice axe
- Head lamp
- Waterproof jacket
- Climbing harness
Excluded
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- National Park entrance fees (a couple of dollars)
- Return airport transfer
- Visa
Dates
Please contact us with your preferred travel dates and we will tailor make the start date for you.
“It was no mean feat but I did it! An incredible experience something I will never forget thank you the help me achieve my lifelong dream.”Emma Hughes
“Exceptionally well guided, what an adventure from start to finish”Donald Atkinson
