|
|
|
|
|
|
 M9 COMBO "B" This climbing excursion of 15 days is our most popular program and is put together for intermediate skill level climbers, who like a complete package with a proper acclimatization program. We get prepared by hiking the first days at lower heights and then consequently moving up higher until the effects of high altitude are better assimilated. The main goals are the crowning of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest and second highest peaks. M9 : 15 days / 14 nights Day 1 We leave Quito in the morning and head to the Pululahua crater to begin our acclimatization process. The crater and its adjacent nature reserve lies at a range of 2500m to 3000m and is therefore perfect for our first three days. In the afternoon we start our preparations with a 3 hour hike, climbing Pondoņa, the lava dome in the middle of the crater and El Chivo, a lower but steeper paek rising from the volcano's bottom. Day 2 In the morning we start out for a longer 6 - 7 hour hike. The trek takes us out of the huge crater and into a beautiful mountain forest, where we are able to admire its lush vegetation and the views, it offers. We spend another night at Finca Colibri. Day 3 After yesterday's long hike, we take it easier today visiting some tourist attractions on our drive back to Quito. First you hike for one hour out of the crater to Ventanilla, where the jeep awaits you. Afterwards we visit Mitad del Mundo, the famous Equatorial Line Monument and the Inca ruins at Rumicucho. Day 4 Today we leave Quito and move to higher regions to continue with our acclimatization process. We drive south and head to Chugchilan, a small mountain village in the Western Cordillera at 3200m where we spend the night. In the afternoon we do some hiking in the surroundings to loosen up after the long 4 hour drive. Day 5 From Chugchilan we hike up to the Quilotoa Crater Lake. This walk takes around 4-5 hours and takes us up to 3800m, where we spend the next two nights. Day 6 Today we trek around this beautiful crater lake, which takes around 5 hours. The trek follows the crater rim and gives us great views into the caldera and the adjacent Toachi valley with its many deep gullies and farming areas. Day 7 We get up early and hike down to the water level and back up again. Then we drive back to Quito by way of Zumbahua and Latacunga. On the way back we visit La Cienaga, a 400 year old hacienda near Lasso. Day 8 Today we enter the third and last stage of the acclimatization process by moving to the higher paramo regions, just below the glacier line. In the morning we drive to the Pichinchas, where we undertake our first higher altitude hike. You start walking at an elevation of around 3900m and ascend to the refuge at 4600m. There after a short break we continue hiking an go on to the peak of Padre Encantador. We spend the night at the refuge at 4600m to get accustomed to this altitude. Day 9 After a an early morning hike of 2 hours into the crater and back out again and the climb up to the peak at 4794m we head back to Quito with a stop at Panecillo, the prominent hill in the middle to view the city from this vintage point. The old colonial town lies right at the foot of it. Day 10 We leave Quito in the morning and head to Cotopaxi National Park by way of Machachi. Leaving the vehicle at the parking area at 4600m, we gather our gear and hike up to the refuge at 4800m. The day is spent around the refuge with practice sessions in the ice to check our abilities and equipment. After a 6 p.m. dinner we go to sleep and rest till midnight. Day 11 After an early midnight breakfast we begin our climb of Cotopaxi. After a 1-hour hike on gravel and rocks to the glacier, we put on our ice-climbing gear and get ready for a 5-hour hike on ice to the top. Reaching the peak at dawn, we admire the grand views it offers and head then back down to the refuge. After a short rest we pack up and head back to Quito for a well deserved rest. Day 12 Free day in Quito or also serves as an extra weather day in case it is needed on Cotopaxi. Today you have the opportunity to do things on your own. You might explore the old colonial center, visit the museum at Casa de Cultura, etc... Day 13 We leave Quito at 9 a.m. and head south to Ambato. From there we take the road towards Guaranda and after a cold lunch break we arrive at the first refuge of Chimborazo at about 2 pm. We get there ready and hike up to the second refuge located at 5000m. There we spend the rest of the afternoon and after an early dinner, we go to bed to catch some sleep before our midnight climb. Day 14 We begin our climb at midnight after breakfast and reach the summit in 7 to 8 hours. Depending on weather conditions we spend up to half an hour on top and then begin the 4-hour descent back to the refuge. After a short rest we drive back to Quito, where we end our climbing adventure but not our tour. Day 15 Today we visit the Hot Springs of Papallacta for a well-deserved ending to our climbing excursion. Relaxing in the hot waters of Ecuador's most famous spa, it let us forget about the efforts it took and relive the beautiful aspects of our climbs. In case it is needed, this day also serves as an extra weather day for Chimborazo.
|
PICTURES |
||
|
|
