December—1st-18th, 2012
Join us for an extraordinary trip to Ecuador. We will have ample time to see spectacular scenery and historical sights, interact with the friendly people, and climb mountains. Ecuador combines easy access, high mountains, and cultural and historical experiences. The US dollar is used as local currency and the social and political environment is stable and relaxed. In these unsettled times, this is one of the best places to go for an unforgettable adventure. Our 18-day trip provides time to properly acclimatize – very important when we are climbing over 20,000′. This expedition is appropriate for climbers with prior mountaineering experience.
As you are likely aware, the global warming trend is very apparent in the Andes. In some cases, this may cause the team to modify the routes as appropriate. Our local guides are intimately familiar with the climbs and monitor the conditions on a continuous basis.
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive in Quito, 9,350′/2,850m.
Day 2. Tour Old Town in Quito. Slide show on the “Mountains and Peoples of Ecuador”.
Day 3. Hike up Pasochoa, 13,776′/4,199m. Spend night in Quito
Day 4. Hike up Guagua Pinchincha, 15,700′/4,785m. Spend night in Quito
Day 5. Travel to the market town of Otavalo and tour the markets. Spend night in Hostel Ayahuma.
Day 6. Hike to Cotacachi 16,199′/4,937m. Night at Cuicocha Lake
Day 7. Travel to Cayambe for skills practice. Spend the night in the refuge, 15,088′/4,599m
Day 8. Cayambe skill practice. Spend night in the refuge
Day 9. Cayambe, 18,993′/5,789m summit attempt. Spend night at Hacienda Guachala
Day 10. Drive to Cotopaxi region/ rest day. Spend night at Cuello de Luna
Day 11. Travel to Cotopaxi Refuge, 15,750′/4,801m.
Day 12. Climb Cotopaxi, 19,347′/5,897m. Spend night in Baños, 6,232′/1,900m.
Day 13. Baños. Rest day at the Hot Springs.
Day 14. Travel to Urbina, 12,792′/3,899m on the western side of Chimborazo. Urbina is an old train station which has been converted into a climbers hostal.
Day 15. Travel to Chimborazo. Night in the refuge 16,400′/4,999m.
Day 16. Chimborazo, 20,702′/6,310m summit attempt. If successful, travel to Quito .
Day 17. Chimborazo, second summit attempt if needed. Night in Quito.
Day 18. Departure
Price: $3,500. Includes accommodations, transportation, all meals on climbs, REA Trip Leader, Ecuadorian Trip Leader, Ecuadorian technical mountain guides (all are Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides (ASEGUIM) members and fluent in English), skills training sessions, National Park fees and permits, and refuge fees.
**Does not include airfare, meals when not climbing, drinks, and tips.
Price based on four to 11 climbers (plus REA Trip Leader)
$500 deposit required by September, with balance due October.
Call 1-866-936-0910 or e-mail for more information or to sign-up.
