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. 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 Asegium.
Tour 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. 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. Overnight at the Hacienda Guachala.
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.
* Traveling 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:
* Placing various types of snow and ice protection.
* Construction and equalization of anchors.
* Ice climbing techniques.
* Rope handling and rappelling.
* 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 Guachala.
Day 11: An extra day to allow for bad weather or rest day in Quito.
* Cotopaxi Extension:
Day 12: Flight back home or first day of the Cotopaxi Extension: travel to the Cotopaxi National Park. Overnight at Tambopaxi.
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 Cienega 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 the United States or Europe.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Scheduled double accommodation in a four star hotel. Breakfast included.
- Scheduled accommodations in Hacienda Guachala, Tambopaxi and La Cienega Hostelry.
- Scheduled accommodations in the Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo huts.
- All road transport by private vehicles.
- Group climbing gear.
- All the food while climbing and at the huts.
- Guides, Assistant Guides.
- Permits and National Park fees.
Price Excludes:
- International round-trip airfare.
- Airport taxes.
- Travel insurance.
- Unscheduled hotel nights.
- Single accommodations.
- Lunch and evening meals in Quito, Guachala, Tambopaxi and La Cienega.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Laundry.
- Tips.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Ecuador
Mountain/Rock Climbing
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