Introduction:
The Ecuadorian Andes offer an excellent romping ground for learning and improving your mountaineering skills. Participants of our Glacier School on snow-peaked Cayambe benefit from easy access not only to the best mountain hut in Ecuador but also to a nearby glacier which provides an appropriately magnificent setting in which to train in indispensable high-mountain climbing skills from the country’s top instructors who, in their turn, have graduated from highly prestigious mountain schools such as France’s ENSA, Spain’s Benasque and Ecuador’s ASEGUIM.
In addition to this great learning opportunity, the program provides an introduction to high-altitude mountaineering with an ascent of Cayambe, ’s third highest mountain, together with the optional extension to climb other world renowned peaks such as Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.
Team Composition: Client to guide ratio 2:1 for the Glacier School and for the climbs on Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.
Itinerary:
DAY 1: International flight from Europe or the United States. Arrive to Quito-Ecuador. Transfer to our hotel.
DAY 2: Visit to the “Old Quito”. Equipment check. We stay overnight in Quito.
DAY 3: Acclimatization ascent of Mt. Pasochoa (4.200 m). Return to Quito.
DAY 4: Acclimatization ascent of Mt. Guagua Pichincha (4.800 m). Return to Quito.
DAY 5: Travel to town of Otavalo to visit its famous Indian Market and Cuicocha Crater Lake. We stay overnight at the Hacienda Guachalá.
DAY 6: Travel to the climber’s hut on Cayambe (4.650 m). Hike up to the beginning of the glacier and start of the Glacier School.
- Snow climbing techniques.
- Use of the ice axe.
- Travelling in balance, rest step and efficiency of movements.
- Self belay and self arrest.
Overnight in the hut.
DAY 7: Return to the glacier to learn and practice:
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Placing various types of snow and ice protection.
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Construction and equalization of anchors.
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Ice climbing techniques.
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Rope handling and rappelling.
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Self crevasse rescue (prussiking).
DAY 8: Continuation of the Glacier School.
- Crevasse rescue. Rescue pulley systems.
- Glacier travel. Route finding.
DAY 9: Today, we will discuss about high altitude physiology, objective and subjective hazards, weather, ecology. In the afternoon we will rest and prepare for our climb of Cayambe.
DAY 10: Ascent of Cayambe (5.789 m, 18.963 ft). We spend the night at Hacienda Guachalá.
DAY 11: An extra day to allow for bad weather or rest day in Quito.
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Cotopaxi Extension:
DAY 12: Flight back home or first day of the Cotopaxi Extension: travel to the Cotopaxi National Park. We stay overnight at Chilcabamba.
DAY 13: Travel to the climber’s hut on Cotopaxi (4.800m) where we will prepare for our midnight departure for the summit.
DAY 14: Ascent of Cotopaxi (5.897 m). Return to Quito. Those who are taking the Chimborazo Extension will stay at La Ciénega Hostelry.
Chimborazo Extension:
DAY 15: Depart Quito for home or first day of the Chimborazo Extension. Travel to the Carrel hut on Chimborazo (4.800 m).
DAY 16: Hike up to the Whymper refuge (5.000 m) where we will prepare to start the climb at midnight.
DAY 17: Ascent of Chimborazo (6.310 m). Return to Quito.
DAY 18: Flight Back to your country.
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Prices per person:
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1 Pax |
2 Pax |
3 Pax |
4 Pax |
5 Pax |
6 Pax |
US$1780 |
US$1035 |
US$875 |
US$820 |
US$775 |
US$695 |
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The Price includes:
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Scheduled double accommodation in a four star hotel. Breakfast included.
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Scheduled accommodations in Hacienda Guachalá, Chilcabamba and La Ciénega Hostelery.
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Scheduled accommodations in the Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo huts.
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All road transport by private vehicles.
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Group climbing gear.
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All the food while climbing and at the huts.
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Guides, Assistant Guides.
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Permits and National Park fees.
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The price does not include:
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International round-trip airfare.
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Airport taxes.
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Travel insurance.
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Unscheduled hotel nights.
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Single accommodations.
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Lunch and evening meals in Quito, Guachalá, Chilcabamba and La Ciénega.
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Alcoholic beverages.
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Laundry.
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Tips.
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