Climb Ecuador's Volcanoes with Berg Adventures International – Trip Description

Ecuador is the smallest of the Andean countries and yet it is one of the most ecologically and culturally diverse countries in the world. Contained within the borders of this beautiful country, no bigger than the state of Colorado, are soaring Andean peaks, the headwaters of the Amazon River, colorful markets run by diverse indigenous peoples, ancient and mystical Incan ruins, the Galapagos Islands made famous by Darwin, and some of the world’s tallest volcanoes. Over the course of two exciting weeks, we will take you to some of our favorite sites and up some of the most spectacular peaks. Extensions to the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon Rainforest are available too if two weeks just isn’t enough for you.

Our expedition begins in the city of Quito in the high Andes, surrounded by beautiful valleys and spectacular mountains. As soon as you step off the plane you will notice the altitude, as Quito sits at 9,350ft/2,849m. With its fascinating balance between historic and modern, Quito is truly one of the wonders of the world. In fact, UNESCO declared Quito’s historic center a World Heritage Site, the first city in the world to receive this accolade. The city was honored again in 2004 when it was named the Cultural Capital of the Americas.

After a short visit in Quito, we continue to a serene hacienda (inn) outside of Otavalo, a town famous for its bustling market. It is the perfect location to acclimatize as it is close to a number of scenic hikes that we can use to stretch our legs and get used to the thinner air. One of these day hikes will take us up our first volcano, Imbabura at 15,750ft/4,800m.

Next we head down Volcano Alley to our next goal, Cayambe. As Ecuador’s third highest peak, the glaciated 18,900ft/5790m summit of Cayambe lies directly on the equator! Before climbing, we will spend a day reviewing glacier travel and basic mountaineering skills to prepare us for our climbs ahead.

Before continuing, we take a rest day at Termas Papallacta. Here we can soak in the bubbling hot springs and recuperate some energy and strength for our next climb which is Cotopaxi, Ecuador’s second highest peak at 19,350/5,9000m. This is perhaps the most well-known of the mountains we will climb due to its catchy name and distinct symmetric appearance.

Finally, we will attempt the big one, Ecuador’s highest volcano at 20, 701ft/6,310m, Chimborazo. It is on the summit of Chimborazo that we will stand at the farthest point from the center of the earth. Due to the bulge of the Earth’s surface around its middle, Chimborazo actually stands over 7000ft/2130m farther from the center of the Earth than the summit of Everest!

Live Internet Broadcast

Your journey through the Volcanoes of Ecuador will be cybercast to the internet via satellite phone. Daily dispatches will be posted on the web on BergAdventures.com. This will be a great way for your group to share stories and photographs of your adventures while “on the scene”. In the past, our dispatches have been used by family, friends, and supporters tracking the progress of our groups, by classrooms learning about the wild places we visit, and by local newspapers reporting stories of interest.

View our previous Ecuador dispatches.

Qualifications & Physical Conditioning

To climb Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo you will need to be in excellent physical condition and be able to confront the challenges of high altitude. Prior mountaineering experience involving the use of crampons and basic ice axe technique is strongly recommended, but not necessary. You will need to carefully monitor your body’s ability to acclimatize. This will require patience and good judgment. Your guides will help you make good decisions.