Ecuador mountaineering holiday
| country: | Ecuador |
| location: | Mount Cotopaxi, Ecuador Highlands |
| departures: | This trip can be tailormade at a time to suit you. Small group departures also available. 2009: 05 Nov, 24 Dec. 2010: 04 Feb, 14 Aug, 06 Nov, 14 Dec |
| price: | From US $2095 (15 days) excluding flights. Price includes hotels, camping or basic mountain refuges, mountain guides, technical climbing equipment. Minimum group size of 4. We are a UK based company and prices are also available in GB pounds |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Ecuador mountaineering holiday
Ecuador mountaineering holiday
This Ecuador mountaineering holiday encompasses some of Ecuador's most stunning high altitude scenery. The climbs of conical, snow-capped Cotopaxi and the towering Chimborazo are our main goals on this active tour through the Ecuadorian highlands.
Our Ecuador climbing trip offers an introduction to the glories of high altitude mountaineering (or for those who wish to extend their high altitude experience) whilst enjoying some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the Andes. Ease of access makes the volcanoes of Ecuador particularly attractive to those with a limited time frame providing an adequate period is allowed for acclimatisation. You will experience all of the earth's ecological zones from subtropical to arctic by climbing in the fabulous Avenue of Volcanoes.
This tour allows you to climb four of the most impressive volcanoes in Ecuador: Imbabura (4,630 metres), Illiniza North (5,100 metres), Cotopaxi (5,897 metres) and Chimborazo (6,310 metres), the latter Ecuador's highest and largest mountain which is the furthest point from the centre of the earth due to the equatorial bulge. The breathtaking views and sense of achievement make all the effort well worthwhile. Coupled with colonial cities, colourful markets and time to relax in both tropical Banos and the highland capital of Quito this superb trip provides any fit outdoor person with the perfect all round expedition.
(No previous mountaineering experience is required although some prior experience would be preferred to attempt the peaks on this tour. Climbing equipment, i.e. plastic boots, crampons and ice-axe can be rented in Quito. Instruction in its use is given by our mountain guides).
Note: This Ecuador mountaineering holiday can be followed by a cruise in the Galapagos Islands or a trip to Ecuador’s wildlife rich cloud forest or Amazon jungle.
This Ecuador mountaineering holiday encompasses some of Ecuador's most stunning high altitude scenery. The climbs of conical, snow-capped Cotopaxi and the towering Chimborazo are our main goals on this active tour through the Ecuadorian highlands.
Our Ecuador climbing trip offers an introduction to the glories of high altitude mountaineering (or for those who wish to extend their high altitude experience) whilst enjoying some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the Andes. Ease of access makes the volcanoes of Ecuador particularly attractive to those with a limited time frame providing an adequate period is allowed for acclimatisation. You will experience all of the earth's ecological zones from subtropical to arctic by climbing in the fabulous Avenue of Volcanoes.
This tour allows you to climb four of the most impressive volcanoes in Ecuador: Imbabura (4,630 metres), Illiniza North (5,100 metres), Cotopaxi (5,897 metres) and Chimborazo (6,310 metres), the latter Ecuador's highest and largest mountain which is the furthest point from the centre of the earth due to the equatorial bulge. The breathtaking views and sense of achievement make all the effort well worthwhile. Coupled with colonial cities, colourful markets and time to relax in both tropical Banos and the highland capital of Quito this superb trip provides any fit outdoor person with the perfect all round expedition.
(No previous mountaineering experience is required although some prior experience would be preferred to attempt the peaks on this tour. Climbing equipment, i.e. plastic boots, crampons and ice-axe can be rented in Quito. Instruction in its use is given by our mountain guides).
Note: This Ecuador mountaineering holiday can be followed by a cruise in the Galapagos Islands or a trip to Ecuador’s wildlife rich cloud forest or Amazon jungle.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrival in Quito. Hotel. |
| Day 2: | Day trip to the equator. Hotel. |
| Day 3: | Cuicocha crater walk. Hotel. |
| Day 4: | Climb Imbabura. Hotel. |
| Day 5-6: | Illinizas. |
| Day 7-8: | Head to Cotopaxi national park. |
| Day 9: | Cotopaxi. |
| Day 10: | Rest day. |
| Day 11-12: | Trek to the Chimborazo Carrell Hut and ascend peak. |
| Day 13: | To Banos. Hotel |
| Day 14: | Return Quito. Hotel. |
| Day 15: | Tour ends. |
how this holiday makes a difference
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We operate this Ecuador mountaineering holiday in conjunction with an ecologically aware tour operator.
Our staff are local with an excellent knowledge of the area. Our guides hold informal talks to inform about and discuss aspects of local life. This helps understanding of the area and appreciation of the people who live there. We support the local economy by using local transport on this trip and always using locally owned and run accommodation and restaurants.  When trekking & climbing we buy fresh local produce. In preference we choose local over imported goods, encouraging the use of Andean products in our cooking. On our treks we minimize waste by using products with minimum packaging, leaving no litter and keeping all water sources clean, leaving camp-sites cleaner than we find them. Rubbish is carried out.We support the Tourism Concern Porters Policy in Peru and are involved with the social project Huchuy Yachaq. We are happy to distribute your donations of much needed warm clothes and shoes to children through this organization - please contact us for details of how you can help. Volunteers are welcome to work on the project. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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