Climb Ecuador's Volcanoes with Berg Adventures International – Itinerary

Day 1 – International flight to Quito, Ecuador. Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel.

• Overnight Quito, Marriott Hotel
• Altitude: 9,350ft/2,850m

Day 2 – Quito is the highest capital city in the world. The city’s origins are highly preserved and proudly displayed in the historical center. Looming above the city is Guagua Pichincha at an elevation of 15.696ft/4,784m. Today is an acclimatization day; our goal will be to reach the summit of Pichincha.

• Overnight Quito, Marriot Hotel
• Altitude: 9,350ft/2,850m
• Climbing/Trekking time: 4-6 hours

Day 3 – After breakfast we head north to Otavalo, a town known for its famous market. It is one of the largest markets in Latin America. Our home base will be at a beautiful hacienda, which is a restored 17th-century Andean estate at 8,530ft/2,600m.

• Overnight at Hacienda Cusin
• Altitude: 8,530ft/2,600m

Day 4 – Our acclimatization hike will be in the Cotacachi-Syapa ecological reserve. We will hike around a spectacular lake, Cuicocha (Guinea Pig Lake). A high viewpoint on the far side of the lake will take us to 11,300ft/3,445m.

• Overnight at Hacienda Cusin
• Altitude: 8,530ft/2,600m
• Climbing/Trekking time: 4-6 hours

Day 5 – An early morning departure from the hacienda to climb Fuya Fuya at 13986ft/4263m.

• Overnight at Hacienda Cusin
• Altitude: 8,530ft/2,600m
• Climbing/Trekking time: 6 - 7 hours

Day 6 – We drive into Cotopaxi National Park. We will make a quick stop outside Quito for lunch. We will spend the first night at the lovely lodge at Tambopaxi where we will store our duf¬fel bags when we leave for the mountain.

• Overnight at Tambopaxi Lodge
• Altitude: 12,303ft(3,750m)

Day 7 – Today we will move to Cotopaxi. About one hours hike further up the mountain, we will reach Jose Ribas Hut at 14,750ft(4,500m). We will settle down early to rest for another early morning start.

• All meals included
• Overnight at Jose Ribas hut
• Altitude: 14,750ft(4,500m)
• Climbing/Trekking time: 1-2 hours

Day 8 – Summit Day! The symmetry of this beautiful glaciated volcano is world famous. It is the second highest in Ecuador at 19,350ft (5,900m). With good luck and clear weather, we can look right down into the crater from the top.

• Overnight Guachala Hacienda
• Altitude: 8,960ft(2,730m)
• Climbing/Trekking time: 8-10 hours

Day 9 – Alternative summit day and travel to Termas Papallacta, a hot springs resort in the upper Amazon Basin at 11,000ft(3,300m). We come down here to rest at slightly lower altitude with thicker air in order to help our muscles and minds recover from the climbs, and also to prepare ourselves to Chimborazo. Termas Papallacta is the perfect place to relax after our Cotopaxi climb.

• Overnight at Termas Papallacta
• Altitude: 10,824ft/3,300m

Day 10 – Rest day at Termas Papallacta will give everyone the opportunity to soak and relax.

• Overnight at Termas Papallacta
• Altitude: 10,824ft/3,300m

Day 11 – Morning departure to our next destination: Chimborazo. By day’s end we will have arrived at a beautiful mountain lodge with stunning views of Chimborazo.

• Overnight Estrella del Chimborazo Lodge
• Altitude: 13,123ft/4,000m

Day 12 – Our final climbing destination is Chimborazo, 20,703ft (6,310m), the highest peak in Ecuador. We will stage our climb from Whymper hut at 16,405ft/5,000m. The hut is named after Edward Whymper; the British climber who made the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1880, and also was the first to climb Chimborazo.

• Overnight Whymper Hut
• Altitude: 16,405ft/5,000m
• Climbing/Trekking time: 1-2 hours

Day 13 – Summit day of Chimborazo; 20,703ft(6,130m).

• Overnight Estrella del Chimborazo Lodge
• Altitude: 13,124ft/4,000m
• Climbing/Trekking time: 13-16 hours

Day 14 – Alternate Summit day of Chimborazo and return to Quito.

• Overnight in Quito
• Altitude: 9,350ft/2,850m

Day 15 – Flight to home country. BAI Trip Ends.