Ecuadors Volcano Triple Crown

Day 1: Arrive in Quito

Rendezvous at the group hotel in Quito. (A single, timed group transfer from the airport is provided) . KE Land Only services begin with a sightseeing tour of the Old City. We have a briefing from the trip leader and the rest of the day is free for relaxing or further independent sightseeing. Overnight at the group hotel. Meals included - None

Day 2: Trek around Cuicocha Crater Lake

We make an early departure for the drive northwards to Imbabura and the nearby Cuicocha Lake. We take a warm-up stroll around the caldera rim above this lovely blue lake. This is good acclimatisation at an average altitude of 3500m. / 11,483f t . and will take 4 – 5 hours to complete. There are good views of the volcano, Cotacachi (4939m. / 16,205f t . ) directly to the north of the lake. After our walk we visit Tumbabiro, a small rural village approximately 40 minutes northwest of Ibarra. Most of the people who live in this area still cultivate crops using largely traditional methods and many of the buildings in and around the main square are very old and constructed using adobe mud bricks and local timbers. We stay overnight here in a charming hosterìa. (Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Begin trek in Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve

After breakfast we have a short transfer to a village on the edge of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Nature Reserve, one of the most diverse and spectacular of Ecuador's protected areas. Here we start our three-day acclimatisation hike through the reserve. Beginning at an elevation of 2500m. / 8200ft. today’s walk takes us along a ridge from where we can see all the northern volcanoes. We hike through tilled lands and natural gorges to reach the village of San Francisco at 3070m. / 10072ft. We make our first camp in the village fields. 6 to 7 hours hike. (Included meals: B,L,D)

Day 4: Trek to Yanacocha lake

While we take breakfast, our luggage and camping equipment is loaded onto mules, and we then set off toward the grasslands of the high paramo. We first pass through mountain forest and then climb to a pass at 3960m. / 12,992ft. After a short descent we make a detour to climb the 4005m. / 13,140ft. peak of Ollas Chico and from here, continue to our campsite, a very scenic spot beside Yanacocha lake and at the foot of Yanaurcu Volcano. For pre-Columbian peoples this was a mysterious and sacred mountain and recently a pre-Columbian structure believed to be an altar, was discovered on the summit. 6 to 7 hours hike. Altitude in camp: 3870m. / 12,697ft. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Trek to Chachimbito thermal springs

Our path today heads generally east as we make a gradual descent from the Paramo. We pass an ancient crater containing pre-Inca ruins and further down, we pass two more ruins which are thought to be ancient temples. Finally we reach a small village where we meet up with our transport. Here we say goodbye to the mule team and we head directly to the Chachimbito thermal springs for a relaxing hot bath. We now return to our hosteria at Tumbabiro. 7 to 8 hours hike. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Ascent of Imbabura

We make an early start today for the ascent of Volcan Imbabura (4609m. / 15,122ft.). We drive up to around 3400m. / 11,000ft on the eastern flank of this longextinct volcano. Following a good trail through rich farming land, we reach the open paramo and then gain the east ridge which is grassy and steep in places. The final 100m / 300ft or so is rocky scrambling, but not particularly exposed and this leads to the crater rim. There are great views of our next objective and the first of our three big mountains, Cayambe. It will take a little over 4 hours for the ascent and 2 hours or so for the descent. Reunited with our vehicles, we drive to La Esparanza where we check into our hostal. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Drive to Cayambe, trek to refuge

Now much more acclimatised we turn our attention towards the first of the big peaks, Cayambe (5790m. / 18,996ft.). Heading south on the Pan American Highway to Cayambe Village, we leave the paved road and follow a dirt track which climbs steadily through farmland and open grassland. Passing several working haciendas, the track becomes narrower and bumpier and it will depend on the road condition as to how far the vehicles can go. We have a final walk to the hut which will take from 30 minutes to an hour. The Bergé, Ruales, Oleas Refuge (4,650m. / 15,256ft.) is located on a ridge of Cayambe giving spectacular views over the Hermoso Glacier. It is equipped with running water and gas and is well maintained. Accommodation here is in dormitories. In the afternoon we have the opportunity to get on the glacier to practice techniques and sharpen our snow skills before an early dinner and bed. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Ascent of Cayambe, drive to Quito

We rise at midnight and start after breakfast initially on rock and scree until we reach the glacier. The climb is not technically difficult or steep and the difficulties of the ascent are those of a high glacial peak. The ascent should take us 6 or 7 hours from the hut with a further 3 to return. After some rest and refreshment we return to the vehicles and make the 2½ hour drive to Quito where we check into our hotel. (B,L)

Day 9: Free day in Quito

A free day for rest and recovery. Time to catch up on laundry and/or for independent sightseeing. A worthwhile excursion is to the Mitad del Mundo just outside Quito. Here there is a museum to all things equatorial and you can straddle a line with one foot in each hemisphere. (B)

Day 10: Drive to the Jose Rivas Refuge

After a leisurely morning we head south and drive into the Cotopaxi National Park. We now follow a gravel road up to 4600m. / 15,092ft. and from here we walk for half an hour up to the Jose Rivas Refuge, at an altitude of 4800m. / 15,748ft. There are fabulous views over Limpiopungo Lake and the nearby volcano Rumenahuai. We will take an early dinner and then have an early night in preparation for the ascent of Cotopaxi. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Climb Cotopaxi, transfer to hotel

The climbing of Cotopaxi involves a midnight start. The first hour's climb follows a scree slope which is sometimes snow covered. Once on the glacier the route heads in the direction of a huge rock face, known as Yanasacha. The climb takes five to seven hours, but the reward is a magnificent view of the Valley of the Volcanoes, with Chimborazo, El Alta, Tungurahua to the south, a host of smaller Mont Blanc sized volcanoes to the east and Cayambe to the north. Cotopaxi is an active volcano and the summit offers a spectacular glimpse into the smouldering crater. A three hour descent then takes us back to the refuge for lunch and hot drinks before the return to the vehicles. We have a short transfer to a nearby hotel. (B,L)

Day 12: Spare day, transfer to Riobamba

Today is a contingency day in case of delay or bad weather. Following a successful ascent of Cotopaxi the previous day we spend an easy morning at the hotel. After lunch we drive for approximately 1½ hours to the town of Riobamba. Overnight in a hotel. (B,L)

Day 13: Free day in Riobamba

A free day for rest and recuperation in Riobamba. (B)

Day 14: Drive to the Edward Whymper Refuge

From Riobamba we drive to the Edward Whymper Refuge, at 5000m. / 16,404ft. on the slopes of Chimborazo (6310m. / 20,702ft.). The hut, named after the first person to climb the mountain in 1880, provides the perfect base for an attempt on Ecuador’s highest and most famous peak, which only a little more than hundred years ago was still thought to be the world’s highest. We should now be well acclimatised, having recently climbed Cotopaxi and Cayambe. We have an early dinner and settle down to bed ready for another midnight start. (B,L,D)

Day 15: Climb Chimborazo, drive to Banos

Given good weather and good snow conditions, Chimborazo presents a quite straightforward though long climb. Starting out at midnight, and following the Whymper/ Normal route, the climb begins on slopes of scree and volcanic talus before getting onto the expansive glacier. We will encounter snow slopes of average angle of 25 – 30 degrees with the occasional steeper section. It takes around 6 – 7 hours to reach the crater rim at the Ventemilla summit and a further hour of traverse and slight ascent to reach the Wymper Summit which is the point on the Earth furthest from its centre. (Mount Everest is higher above sea level but owing to the Earth’s ‘squashed sphere’ shape, Chimborazo has this attribute). A descent of 2 to 3 hours should see the group back at the refuge, and after a simple lunch, we make the 1 hour transfer to Banôs. We check into a hotel close to the centre of town. (B,L)

Day 16: Free day in Banos

This charming town set in a superb location below the active volcano, Tungarahua and on the very edge of the Andean Plateau above the Amazon jungle or ‘Selbe,’ is a spa resort. Besides the hot pools which give the town its name, the mix of pavement cafes, fine restaurants and bars make Banôs the perfect place to relax and unwind at the end of our Volcano Triple Crown expedition. There is also the option to hike around the remarkable countryside around or to hire bikes and explore the quiet roads. (B)

Day 17: Morning free, afternoon drive to Quito

We have a free morning to further enjoy the ambience and many charms of Banôs, then we return to Quito and check in to our hotel. In the evening, we will want to go out for a celebratory meal in one of the city's many excellent restaurants.(B)

Day 18: Depart Quito

KE Land Only services end after breakfast. A single timed group transfer to the airport is provided. (B)