Overview

This 9-day expedition is designed for climbers seeking a progressive acclimatization program combined with the opportunity to summit two of Ecuador’s most iconic volcanoes: Cotopaxi (5,897 m / 19,347 ft) and Antisana (5,704 m / 18,714 ft). The itinerary includes acclimatization climbs on Pasochoa, Corazón, and Iliniza Norte, followed by a rest day at Quilotoa Lagoon before the Cotopaxi ascent. After a recovery day at Ilinizas Mountain Lodge, the program finishes with the challenging climb of Antisana, one of the most beautiful alpine peaks in Ecuador. This program offers an excellent combination of acclimatization, mountain progression, glacier experience, and spectacular Andean landscapes.

We will pick you up at 8:00 am. Then we will drive for two hours to get to Pasochoa

parking lot. We will then hike through a large forest and when we are in the middle of it, the 4230-meter summit will appear. There is a steep slope on the ascent, but once there we will have beautiful views. We will drive to El Chaupi village. Overnight in Ilinizas Mountain Lodge.

•        Altitude: 4,200 meters (13.779 feet)

•        Meals: (Box Luch,Dinner)

•        Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodgehttps://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/

•        Distance: 11 km (round Trip)

•        Duration: 5 to 9 hours (including summit time)

From El Chaupi village, we will start early in the morning after breakfast at 7:00 am. We will drive up to the trailhead (13,120ft/4.000m), where we start our hike. The first part of the hike takes us up through the small Andean grass. Then we will get on the sandy and scramble section, which leads to Corazón summit. The hike is about 4-6 hours long. Return to the Lodge.

• Altitude: 4788 meters (15,78 feet)

• Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/

• Meals: (Breakfast/Box Luch/Dinner)

• Distance: 8 y 15 km (round Trip)

• Duration: 4 hours (including summit time)

We start early in the morning after breakfast at 7:30 am. We will drive up to the “La Virgen parking lot” (12,795ft/3.900m). From there, we will start a 3-hour hike up to the “Nuevos Horizontes Refuge” (15,580ft/4.750m). After resting, we will continue towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then head up to Illiniza North summit. It will take us 2 to 3 hours to reach the summit. The way back to the parking lot takes around 2 hours. Drive back to El Chaupi.

•        Altitude: 5.126 meters (16.818 feet)

•        Meals: (Breakfast/Box Luch/Dinner)

•        Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/

•        Distance: 10 km (round Trip)

•        Duration : 6 to 8 hours (including summit time)

We’ll leave from El Chaupi in the morning and drive to Quilotoa Lagoon. During the

tour, we will stop at an Indian hut and visit the Tigua community to observe their

leather crafts. The tour will take about 4 hours, then we’ll arrive at the viewpoint to

admire the crater and lagoon. We will descend along a varying road for about an hour

to the bottom of the lagoon, where we can take photos and rest. After lunch, we’ll

return to El Chaupi after a 3-hour drive.

•        Altitude: 3,914 meters (12,841 feet)

•        Meals: (Breakfast/-/Dinner)

•        Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/

•        Distance: 108 km (round trip)

•        Duration: (2 hours hike)

From El Chaupi, we will drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until reaching the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. From there, we’ll drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (4.500m/14,763 ft), then hike for about an hour to the Jose Ribas Refuge. We will have dinner and rest until midnight before making our final ascent.

•        Altitude: 4,864 meters (15,958 feet)

•        Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

•        Accommodations: Cotopaxi Refuge (Jose Rivas)

•        Distance: 1.5 km (from parking lot to refuge)

Midnight will be our wake-up time, and departure to the top will be around 01:00 am

after a light breakfast. The climb will take about 6 to 8 hours. Once at the summit, we’ll take time to take pictures of the crater and surroundings. Then we’ll descend back to the refuge, waking about 2 to 3 hours. After packing our belongings and eating, we’ll head down to the parking lot, where transportation will be ready to take us to Quito.

•        Altitude: (5,897 meters / 19,347 feet)

•        Meals: (Breakfast/-/)

•        Accommodations: (-)

•        Distance: Climb 10 k (round trip).

•        Duration: 5 to 6 hours to the summit.

After the Cotopaxi summit, this day is dedicated to recovery and rest before continuing to Antisana. At Ilinizas Mountain Lodge, you will have time to relax, reorganize your equipment, and recover physically after the Cotopaxi climb. This is an excellent place to enjoy the Andean environment, restore your energy, and prepare mentally and physically for the next mountain.

•Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,827 ft

•Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/

•Meals: (Breakfast / - / Dinner)

•Distance: -

•Duration: Rest day

After breakfast, we leave Ilinizas Mountain Lodge and drive toward the Antisana Ecological Reserve. Antisana is one of Ecuador’s most beautiful and serious glaciated peaks, located in a remote alpine environment. Once we arrive at the access area, we organize all technical climbing gear and begin the approach toward high camp. This day is very important for safety, acclimatization, and preparation for the summit push. After reaching high camp, we will rest, have an early dinner, and prepare for the nighttime ascent.

•Altitude: (4,750 m / 15,580 ft)

•Accommodation: Antisana High Camp

•Meals: (Breakfast / Box Lunch / Dinner)

•Distance: Approx. 4 km / 2.5 mi

•Duration: Approx. 3 to 4 hours

We will wake up around midnight, have a light breakfast, and begin our summit push very early in the morning. Antisana is a more demanding and alpine mountain, offering spectacular glacier scenery and a more remote expedition feeling. The ascent to the summit normally takes about 7 to 9 hours, depending on conditions and the pace of the group. Once on the summit, we will enjoy incredible views of the Ecuadorian Andes. Afterward, we descend carefully back to high camp, collect our equipment, and return to Quito.

•Altitude: (5,704 m / 18,714 ft)

•Accommodation: -

•Meals: (Breakfast/ - / Dinner)

•Distance: Approx. 10 km / 6.2 mi

•Duration: Approx. 9 to 12 hours