Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Quito
You'll arrive in Quito and head to your hotel after clearing the airport. The drive in gives you views of several volcanoes including Cotopaxi, Pichincha, and Illiniza rising from the landscape. Depending on your arrival time, there's a chance to walk around the city and get your bearings before settling in for the night.
Optional Activities
- City exploration of Quito
Landmarks Cotopaxi Pichincha Illiniza - Day 2
Quito Colonial District - Mitad del Mundo
Start early climbing Panecillo, a 3,000-meter peak topped with the Virgen de Quito statue, where you'll see the city spread out below. After that, you'll walk through Quito's old colonial center checking out Plaza de Independencia, the Cathedral, Casa de Sucre, and Iglesia San Augustin. Later you'll head out to Mitad del Mundo to see the equator monument. Plan on spending about 5 to 6 hours between the sightseeing and driving around.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ascent of Panecillo (3,000m) with views of Virgen de Quito statue
- Market visit at Panecillo
- Guided tour of colonial old town including Plaza de Independencia
- Visit to Cathedral
- Visit to Casa de Sucre
- Visit to Iglesia San Augustin
- Visit to Mitad del Mundo (equator monument)
Landmarks Panecillo Virgen de Quito Plaza de Independencia Quito Cathedral Casa de Sucre Iglesia San Augustin Mitad del Mundo - Day 3
Laguna Cuicocha
You'll drive about an hour to Otavalo to catch the Saturday indigenous market, where local merchants sell textiles, handicrafts, and regional goods. From there, you'll head into the countryside for a hike around Laguna Cuicocha, a crater lake surrounded by the extinct Cotocachi volcano. The trail circles the lake on maintained paths and takes about 4 to 5 hours with roughly 500 meters of elevation gain.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Otavalo indigenous market
- Hiking around Laguna Cuicocha crater lake
- Views of Cotocachi volcano
- Visit to picnic zone at Laguna Cuicocha
Optional Activities
- Organized boat tours around the islands (Isla Theodoro Wolf and Isla Yerovi)
- Dining at local restaurant for fresh trout
Landmarks Otavalo Market Laguna Cuicocha Isla Theodoro Wolf Isla Yerovi Cotocachi Reserva Ecologica Cotocachi y Cayapas - Day 4
Vulkan Fuya Fuya
You'll climb Fuya Fuya, an extinct volcano at 4,293 meters, starting from Laguna Mojanda, a deep blue crater lake nearby. The trail is well-maintained for most of the way up, though the rocky summit ridge calls for some scrambling. After summiting, you'll partially walk around the lake, taking in views of Jana Urku's black rock formations across the water. The hike runs about 4 to 5 hours with 600 meters of elevation gain after a 1-hour drive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ascent of Vulkan Fuya Fuya (4,293m)
- Views from summit
- Partial circumnavigation of Laguna Mojanda
- Viewing of Jana Urku rock formations
Landmarks Fuya Fuya Laguna Mojanda Jana Urku - Day 5
Taita Imbabura
You'll drive about 2 hours to La Esperanza, a mountain village north of Ibarra surrounded by green fields. Then you'll climb Imbabura, a 4,682-meter extinct volcano, following a narrow trail with switchbacks up to the crater rim before scrambling over easier rock to the summit. The route involves some 4WD assistance early on. This is a long day of hiking around 6 to 7 hours with 1,300 meters of elevation gain, and you'll spend the night in the village.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ascent of Taita Imbabura (4,682m)
- Views over Ibarra from summit
- Guided route navigation
Landmarks Taita Imbabura Ibarra La Esperanza Cotocachi - Day 6
Rest Day in La Esperanza
You'll take things easy in La Esperanza today. Stroll through the green fields around the village or just relax at your accommodation. Your guide can point you toward hot springs near Ibarra if you want to make a short trip out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Optional guided walks through fields near La Esperanza
Optional Activities
- Visit to thermal baths near Ibarra
Landmarks La Esperanza Ibarra - Day 7
Pasochoa
You'll head to Pasochoa National Park and hike through cloud forest to reach the 4,200-meter summit. The trail winds through thick vegetation with views of Cotopaxi and Sincholagua from the top on clear days. The drive takes about 2 hours each way, and the hike itself runs roughly 4 hours with 700 meters of elevation gain. Later you'll return to Quito.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ascent of Pasochoa (4,200m)
- Cloud forest hiking in Pasochoa National Park
- Views of Cotopaxi and Sincholagua volcanoes
- Views over Quito
Landmarks Pasochoa Pasochoa National Park Cotopaxi Sincholagua - Day 8
Rucu Pichincha
You'll take the Teleferico cable car up Rucu Pichincha, which rises directly above Quito, jumping up about 700 meters quickly. From the cable car station, you'll hike through colorful rock formations to the 3,941-meter summit. The walking part is straightforward with no technical climbing needed. Expect about 30 minutes for the cable car ride plus any wait, then 4 to 5 hours of hiking with another 700 meters of elevation gain.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cable car (Teleferico) ride to mid-mountain station
- Ascent of Rucu Pichincha
- Views of Quito from the summit and walking route
- Views of colorful rock formations
Landmarks Rucu Pichincha Teleferico - Day 9
Journey to Refugio Nuevos Horizontes
You'll drive in a 4WD vehicle through barren páramo landscapes and steep sand tracks, reaching Refugio Nuevos Horizontes at 4,700 meters. This refuge sits just 100 meters below Mont Blanc's height. The hike from the vehicle drop-off covers about 4 hours with 700 meters of elevation gain. You'll settle into the basic refuge, cook simple meals like spaghetti on the stove, and try to rest. Afternoon rain often rolls in, so you might stay inside and prepare for tomorrow's early start.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- 4WD vehicle transport to high altitude
- Hiking to Refugio Nuevos Horizontes (4,700m)
- Overnight stay at mountain refuge
Landmarks Illiniza Norte Refugio Nuevos Horizontes - Day 10
Illiniza Norte Summit (Paso de la Muerte)
Your alarm goes off at midnight for the summit push of Illiniza Norte at 5,116 meters. Your guide carries rope for any snow or ice sections. The route follows trace paths to La Ensillada saddle between the two Illiniza summits, then climbs through steep scree toward the South ridge. You'll navigate the technical 'Paso de la Muerte' traverse carefully, then climb through a rock gully or bypass the ridge to reach the North Summit. After celebrating on top, you'll descend back to the refuge, grab your sleeping bags, and drive to Quito. Total time on the mountain runs 5 to 6 hours with 500 meters of ascent and 1,100 meters of descent.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Ascent of Illiniza Norte (5,116m) north summit
- Navigation of Paso de la Muerte
- Guided climbing with rope protection
- Descent to Refugio Nuevos Horizontes
- Return drive to Quito
Landmarks Illiniza Norte La Ensillada Paso de la Muerte Refugio Nuevos Horizontes - Day 11
Rest Day in Quito
You'll sleep in after the tough Illiniza climb and spend the day recovering in Quito. Later you'll visit your local partner agency to go through climbing gear, trying on climbing shoes and crampons to make sure everything fits and works properly. Afterward, you'll explore Quito's northern districts and browse Avenida Amazonas, a wide avenue where tourists and wealthy locals shop alongside street vendors. It's a real look at modern South American city life. Use the afternoon and evening to relax and mentally prepare for Cotopaxi.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Equipment preparation and testing at local partner agency
- Shoe and crampon fitting
Optional Activities
- Shopping and exploration of Avenida Amazonas
- Exploration of Quito's northern districts
Landmarks Avenida Amazonas Quito - Day 12
Refugio Jose Ribas
You'll drive from Quito toward Machachi, then enter Cotopaxi National Park after paying entrance fees. The 4WD vehicle carries you through diverse páramo landscapes past vicuñas on winding sand tracks to a parking area at 4,400 meters. From there you'll hike through loose sand terrain to Refugio Jose Ribas at 4,800 meters, covering about 300 meters of elevation gain in 1 to 2 hours. If weather allows, you might explore the colorful volcanic rock formations nearby. Early dinner and rest follow, though sleep in the basic wooden bunks tends to be restless. You'll wake at midnight for tomorrow's summit attempt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- National park entrance and vehicle transport through Cotopaxi National Park
- 4WD vehicle access to 4,400m parking area
- Hiking to Refugio Jose Ribas (4,800m)
- Evening stay at mountain refuge
Optional Activities
- Afternoon exploration of volcanic rock formations around refuge
Landmarks Cotopaxi Cotopaxi National Park Refugio Jose Ribas Machachi - Day 13
Cotopaxi Summit
Midnight brings breakfast and your 1 AM departure for Cotopaxi's 5,895-meter summit. An early start keeps snow and ice frozen over crevasses before the equatorial sun softens them. You'll climb moderate ice fields at first, then tackle steeper 45-degree flanks lit by headlamp through the dark. About 7 to 8 hours of climbing brings you to the crater rim with possible panoramic views across Ecuador. Your descent happens in daylight, showing off the white firnfields. Then you'll drive back to Quito for a shower, good meal, and well-deserved rest. Total time on the mountain runs 8 to 10 hours with 1,100 meters of ascent and 1,500 meters of descent.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cotopaxi summit (5,895m) ascent via ice fields and snow slopes
- Guided rope work and ice climbing
- Return descent with 4WD vehicle back to Quito
Landmarks Cotopaxi - Day 14
Rest Day in Quito
You'll spend the day recovering in Quito after the strenuous Cotopaxi climb. Sleep, eat well, and rebuild your strength before tackling Ecuador's highest peak.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 15
Refugio Whymper
You'll drive to Chimborazo at 6,268 meters, Ecuador's highest peak and the tour's primary objective. A 4WD vehicle takes you to Refugio Whymper just over 5,000 meters, leaving most of the remaining 1,300 meters for climbing. You'll do a short acclimatization hike before dawn to test your body at this extreme altitude and scout part of tomorrow's route. Early dinner and gear preparation follow, with a midnight wake time approaching. Sleep will be uncomfortable due to altitude and cold, but the approach hike stays manageable. Total is about 4 hours driving then 1 to 2 hours hiking with 200 meters of elevation gain.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- 4WD vehicle transport to Refugio Whymper (5,000m+)
- Acclimatization hike
- Evening stay at mountain refuge
Landmarks Chimborazo Refugio Whymper 
- Day 16
Chimborazo Summit
Midnight arrival at Chimborazo, the ultimate test of your tour. You'll depart around midnight for the 6,268-meter summit, navigating long ice passages with multiple crevasses lit by headlamp in darkness. The climbing shifts from moderate angles to steep 45-degree flanks, making the 1,300-meter ascent slow and demanding. About 8 to 10 hours in darkness and predawn light bring you to the crater rim, where views stretch for hundreds of kilometers on clear days. Reaching the top of Ecuador's highest volcano and South America's highest point by distance from Earth's center delivers genuine exhilaration. You'll descend to the refuge, collect your gear, and drive back to Quito for hot showers, good meals, and cold drinks. Total time runs 10 to 20 hours depending on fitness, with 1,300 meters of ascent and 1,600 meters of descent.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Chimborazo summit (6,268m) ascent via ice fields and snow slopes
- Guided ice climbing with crevasse rescue capability
- Return descent with 4WD vehicle back to Quito
Landmarks Chimborazo Refugio Whymper - Day 17
Reserve Day
This day sits in reserve for weather delays or contingencies. Depending on how the tour has progressed and conditions on the volcanoes, you might use it as a final rest and exploration day, or it could be held as backup for any climbs that need rescheduling.
