Ecuador - The Big Three

Overview

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Ascents of the equatorial summits of Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo

Introduction

This is a mountaineering expedition to Ecuador, with the aim of climbing the three highest volcanoes in the country; Chimborazo (6,310), Cotopaxi (5,897m) and Cayambe (5,790m). Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador and the highest point from the centre of the earth (due to the Equatorial 'bulge') and Cotopaxi is one of the world’s highest active volcanoes.

Join us on Ecuador - The Big Three

• Guided ascents using English-speaking UIAGM-qualified Mountain Guides.
• Departures scheduled for the optimum time to climb Chimborazo.
• Stay in wonderful haciendas with great food in-between the climbs.

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Tailor-made option

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your mountaineering experience, you may want a Jagged Globe leader or go ‘self-led’ with the assistance of local guides. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable, particularly if you take the self-led option. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Experience Required

This is an expedition for mountaineers operating at Alpine PD+ or Scottish Grade II. If you have limited mountaineering experience and would like to climb in Ecuador, we recommend our shorter Cotopaxi trip.
Our Scottish Winter Courses and our Alpine Courses provide good skills preparation for an expedition.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) 'Know Before You Go' campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Ecuador on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless otherwise specified.)
• UK Air Passenger Duty (excluded if joining land-only and you make your own international flight arrangements).
• 2 group road transfers between Airport and hotel, connecting with flights (excluded if joining land-only).
• 4 nights' hotel accommodation (3 star) in Quito, on a bed and breakfast basis.
• 4 nights' hacienda accommodation, on a full-board basis.
• 6 nights' mountain hut accommodation, on a full-board basis.
• 2 nights' accommodation in tents on a full-board basis.
• All road transport by private vehicles.
• All costs for Ecuadorian UIAGM guides and local helpers.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or lightweight fleece.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Extraneous hotel bills (e.g. bar and laundry).
• Lunch and evening meals in Quito.
• Additional hotel nights in Quito, if the programme is changed.
• Travel Insurance.
• Optional trips.
• Tips.

Tailor-made option

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your mountaineering experience, you may want a Jagged Globe leader or go ‘self-led’ with the assistance of local guides. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable, particularly if you take the self-led option. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Typical Itinerary

Day 1:	Fly to Quito Flights from London arrive late the same day. Quito is at an altitude of 2,850m.
Day 2:	Acclimatisation & City Tour
Day 3:	Ascent of Pasochoa (4,200m) You'll set off at 7.30am and begin the 1hr30 drive to the foot of the peak. The grassy trails winding to its summit are reminiscent of the Peak District, apart from the common swirling mists, which can bring the sulphurous smell of simmering lava from below! From the summit you may see condors - Pasochoa is one of the few volcanoes where these huge birds glide. Return to Quito for the night.
Day 4:	Walk to Guagua Pichincha (4,787m) The "Pichinchas" hang over the western side of Quito. Again, you'll set off at 7.30am and drive 1hr20 to the end of the trail at 3,750 metres. Being 600 metres higher than Pasochoa, you'll be pushing above the line of vegetation today, so expect the trail to be rocky and dusty, if it is dry. After 2 hours of steady walking, we reach a hut at 4,550m and have a break. About an hour beyond the hut, you'll reach a small rocky outcrop that is the top of the mountain. You can expect to be on top at about 12:30. There are grand views over the other Pichinchas and Quito. Overnight hacienda.
Day 5:	Iliniza - hike to La Virgen Camp (4,000m) Long ago, Illiniza exploded and split in half. The North and South peaks now stand 2km apart, separated by a saddle - you'll climb the north peak. Camping at 4,000m aids acclimatisation. Your kit bags, tent and food will be driven up in a Land Cruiser. You'll arrive at lunchtime and can fit harnesses and maybe practice with prussic loops and karabiners. Over dinner the setting sun lights the tips of the peaks to a flame red, before burning through purple as darkness moves over the tents.
Day 6:	Iliniza Norte Summit Day (5,126m) After a 5am breakfast you'll trek for three hours to reach the halfway refuge. The next three hours is fantastic - scrambling up crenulated slabs and along castellated ridges. Where it's narrow the rock is sound and the holds big. The scrambling is never too difficult but you'll rope up in places. After the first hour on the ridge, you'll traverse the head of some steep amphitheatres. Then you'll climb open corners and up short steep steps, over rocks of red, yellow and orange sandstones and volcanic pumices. Descend to hacienda.
Day 7:	Drive to Hacienda Guachala/Otavalo Market Today it's time to move into position ready for the next mountain, Cayambe. In the afternoon you can visit a stunning market. It sells woollens that make Joseph's Coat of Many Colours look monochrome! You'll overnight in a local hacienda, and can enjoy an evening of local folk music and dance.
Day 8:	Drive to Cayambe, walk to the refuge (4,600m) You'll set off at 9am for a two hr drive up the mountain. It's then too hazardous to take passengers so you'll walk to the refuge from here, while the bags continue up in the car. After soup, tea and a picnic you'll walk up to the start of the glacier (4,930m) to aid acclimatisation and perhaps practice crampon skills.
Day 9:	Training and acclimatisation on Cayambe Glacier Cayambe is the only glacier in the world which straddles the Equator, giving the rare experience of zero degrees centigrade at zero degrees latitude. Because of its easterly position and proximity to the Amazon basin, Cayambe receives heavy precipitation and has an impressive ice cap. Its gentle slopes are a good place to practice basic glacier skills, crampon and ice axe techniques. You'll return to the hut by mid-afternoon, and prepare for the big climb by having a good dinner!
Day 10:	Climb Cayambe (5,790m) You'll leave around midnight and crampon and rope up at the edge of the glacier. The slope steadily steepens and, as dawn approaches, the summit dome becomes silhouetted against the brightening sky. Before the sun breaches the skyline, you'll be tantalisingly close to your goal. Below the summit is a mini-ice garden, with crevasses and ice sculptures to wander through. Then there's a final 30m of 40-degree ice - the guide will belay you up and you'll soon be atop the third highest point in Ecuador. You'll see Illiniza, Cotopaxi, and the perpetually smoking Tungurahua. Then you'll descend and sleep between fresh sheets in a local hacienda tonight.
Day 11:	Drive to Cotopaxi National Park, night in Tambopaxi lodge (3,750m)
Day 12 - 13:	Ascent of Cotopaxi (5,897m) You will drive and walk to the hut on Cotopaxi, which is located at 4,800m. The next day you’ll leave around 1am. You’ll rope up to protect the team from hidden crevasses and steeper sections. The crater rim is ice encrusted - Cotopaxi's crater is a spectacular feature and the mix of ice and steam vents make an unusual combination. After soaking in the awesome panoramic views from the second highest point in Ecuador you’ll descend to the hut.
Day 14:	Drive to Urbina (3,500m) near Chimborazo
Day 15:	Hike to Stübel Camp (5,050m) Traverse the mountain in a westerly direction for 2 hours to camp below the Stübel glacier.
Day 16:	Summit Chimborazo (6,310m)
Day 17:	Spare summit day/return to Quito A spare summit day. Overnight hotel.
Day 18 - 19:	Fly Quito to UK

PLEASE NOTE: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns and the health of climbers can all contribute to changes. The expedition Leader and our local agent will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy going nature will be an asset!

Photos & Videos

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Reports & Reviews

First Expedition: May 1995
Total: 30 trips

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• “Immensely enjoyable with everything running smoothly.” GM, Ecuador Volcanoes - Oct '16
• “Hugely challenging, but rewarding and great fun!” HP, Ecuador Volcanoes Oct '15
• “One of the best guides we've ever had! Olan was attentive to everybody's individual needs and questions and really helped to make me feel at ease on the mountains (first mountaineering trip for me).” EH, Ecuador Volcanoes - Oct '13
• “Intense itinerary, challenging summits, inspiring locations!” JC, Ecuador Volcanoes, Oct '13
• “A fascinating insight into the country, people and mountaineering on dramatic volcanoes” HC, (Cardiff) - Cotopaxi 2004
• 9 more reviews »

• “Fantastic time with a great bunch including our guides.” CC, 2002
• “A superbly organised expedition to a wonderful country with first class guiding and marvellous scenery. The ascent of Cotopaxi and the views from the summit were especially memorable.” SA
• “Good mountaineering, excellent acclimatisation programme with good rest periods in between.” KC
• “Great country, great mountains and really superb local team who are great climbers and guides. Thoroughly recommended.” ML
• “A fantastic experience – where we saw so much of Ecuador and achieved so much too – for me to summit Cotopaxi was great!” CH
• “A perfect mix of mountaineering, culture and fun.” MF
• “The glacier training days on Cayambe definitely improved my confidence and I was pleased to see so much of Ecuador, not just the climbing.” CJ
• “A beautiful country with great people working very hard to help me fulfil my dreams, leaving me happy and inspired.” AM, 2002
• “Very enjoyable trip in a really beautiful country. The small group worked out well- great companions and very hospitable Ecuadorian guides.” JP, 2002

Leader Reports

• Ecuador Volcanoes 16 to 31 October '15
  “It was relatively easy to identify the Jagged Globe Ecuador Volcanoes team at Schiphol airport. Rob a familiar face from the Scottish winter courses, Henry, James, Veronica and Jim wearing trekking boots and bearing rucksacks as...”
  report added 04/Nov/15
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 25 Oct to 9 Nov '13
  “A return trip to Ecuador that would exceed expectations. My first ever expedition was to Ecuador back in 2007 and this was with a group of students. I had no real idea of what to expect, other than to be in way over my head as it...”
  report added 14/Nov/13
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 26 Oct to 10 Nov '12
  ““Ecuador’s a great trip – all hotels and haciendas, just a couple of nights in mountain huts; a hot shower and a glass of wine with dinner most nights, you just need to be hill-fit before you go since there’s no trekking in...”
  report added 14/Nov/12
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 17 Aug to 1 Sep '12
  “The weather started so perfectly, and ended so ferociously, that our climbs in Ecuador are best told from last to first, a count down to all the successful climbs we had at the start of our journey. On a series of mountains...”
  report added 14/Sep/12
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 18 Jan to 4 Feb '12
  “This was of the the most successful ever expeditions that Jagged Globe has organised in Ecuador, with all members reaching all of the summits, including one member who did the Antisana extension. OK weather (sometimes a bit...”
  report added 20/Feb/12
• 28 more reports »

• Ecuador Volcanoes - 16 Dec to 2 Jan '12
  “Christmas Snow and Rain on the Equator for Ecuador Volcanoes Dec 2011 The team drove through steady rain to the comfortable Hotel Reina Isabel in downtown Quito on the 16th December and that set the scene for the next few days...”
  report added 09/Jan/12
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 1 to 17 August '10
  ““on time” I could say the new Ecuador Volcanoes group started their trip as son airplane landed in Quito. Unfortunately, on the second day of our trip one of our members had to withdraw due to a health issue, that fortunately...”
  report added 02/Sep/10
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 18 Jan to 16 Feb '09
  “Most of the time, mountaineering is about enjoying ourselves, not on every occasion, but it will always be about learning from ourselves and from the places we climb. Cristiane, Steve, Iain and myself spent a great time...”
  report added 24/Feb/09
• Ecuador Volcanoes 2 - 21 November '08
  “This team enjoyed 100% success on all five peaks, as well as the overall cultural experience of visiting Ecuador. Eleni D, Bill H, Steve O, Ramiro (local guide) and myself (Gaspar) reached the summits of Pasochoa, Guagua Pichincha...”
  report added 27/Nov/08
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 4 to 23 November 2007
  “A very friendly and cheerful group succeeded in the Jagged Globe Ecuador Volcanoes expedition this past November. The team arrived to Quito with no problems, ready for the adventure, after some views of the historical streets of...”
  report added 11/Dec/07
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 4 to 23 July '07
  “Between churches, narrow cobble stone streets, and museums, we acclimatise to the altitude of Quito. On the 3rd day after arriving, we are all ready for our first summit, Pasochoa (4,200m). We all reached the summit and we also...”
  report added 31/Jul/07
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 17 Dec to 5 Jan '07
  “This expedition unfortunately started out in poor weather conditions with lots of rain and thunder. With strong-minded team members this was never a problem and in the end we returned back to Europe with memories of a fantastic...”
  report added 08/Jan/07
• Cotopaxi - 18 Dec - 1 Jan '06
  “The Cotopaxi expedition enjoyed good success on Iliniza North in some challenging conditions. The summit was achieved by David, David, Bob, Alison, Richard, Peregrine, Phil, Karyn, Andy and our able guide Fellipa. Sadly for most of...”
  report added 04/Jan/06
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 6 to 25 November '05
  “This was the fist Jagged Globe expedition with this new version of the Ecuador Volcanoes itinerary. It was a hugely successful expedition, due to the perfect acclimatisation schedule given by the new programmme, with all team...”
  report added 05/Dec/05
• Cotopaxi - 30 Jul to 13 Aug '05
  “The Cotopaxi expedition started in Quito, which is located at 2,900m. A fusion of two religions and cultures can be found by walking and exploring Quito's old town and churches. We had an excellent and progressive acclimatisation...”
  report added 18/Aug/05
• Cotopaxi - 27 Dec to 10 Jan '05
  “The expedition began by acclimatising and exploring the 2,900m city of Quito. Then followed acclimatisation walks around the Cuicocha Lake, which sits in a collapsed volcanic crater; a walk on the side of Guarmi Imbabura to 3,750m;...”
  report added 12/Jan/05
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 9 Dec to 7 Jan '05
  “This was one of the most successful trips that Jagged Globe has organised in Ecuador, with members climbing all three of the highest peaks in the country. Good weathe, a strong team of climbers and the excellent local guides all...”
  report added 10/Jan/05
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 25 Jul to 13 Aug 04
  “Despite our time in Ecuador coinciding with heavy snowfall and strong winds in the mountains, this proved to be a pretty successful trip: all five team members summited Pasachoa and Pichincha, the acclimatisation peaks, before we...”
  report added 07/Sep/04
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 21 Dec 03 to 9 Jan 04
  “The group spent a couple of cultural days around Quito before moving on to climb Pasochoa. Everyone reached the summit of this mountain. We were successful also on Pichincha. We left the refuge under Cayambe with the night sky...”
  report added 12/Jan/04
• Ecuador Volcanoes 15 Dec 03 - 3 Jan 04
  “Ecuador has experienced one of the worst Decembers for weather for a long time, providing very difficult climbing conditions. Too much snow with high avalanche risk on mountains, while Chimborazo turned to hard bottle ice making...”
  report added 07/Jan/04
• Cotopaxi - 21 December 2002 to 5 January 2003
  “The shorter version of the Ecuador Volcanoes trip was very enjoyable and successful for all nine team members. The initial sightseeing days proved popular, whilst members got to know each other and visited the sights of Quito and...”
  report added 03/Feb/03
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 17 December 2002 to 5 January 2003
  “After a cultural few days around Quito, all expedition members summited on Pinchincha and Pasochoa. We then moved to Cayambe where gale force winds repelled the summit bid. However, valuable acclimitisation and experience was...”
  report added 29/Jan/03
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 13 August to 1 September 2002
  “A hugely successful expedition with summiteers on Iliniza Norte (5,126m), Cayambe (5,790m) and Cotopaxi (5,897m). Highlights included a perfect moonlit ascent of Cotopaxi, with an unrivalled vista of the Ecuadorian Andes, to a...”
  report added 13/Dec/02
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 9 to 28 July 2002
  “This trip was very successful, with four summits climbed. The sunrise on Cotopaxi's summit was beautiful, initially creating a pink landscape, then the sun gave an amazing shadow of Cotopaxi on the clouds below. This was followed...”
  report added 13/Dec/02
• Ecuador Volcanoes - 18 December 2001 to 6 January 2002
  “Ecuador has again proved to be a popular destination, with team members getting high on Cayambe and Chimborazo and summitting on Cotopaxi. Unsettled weather and a variety of other factors common to high altitude mountaineering...”
  report added 11/Jan/02
• Cotopaxi - 28 November to 10 December 2001
  “In spite of having retreated 80 meters below the summit of Cayambe, because of strong winds, we were very happy at the end of the trip. This was an expedition that we arranged for David Goode. David has climbed with Jagged Globe...”
  report added 21/Dec/01
• Ecuador Volcanoes 14 August to 2 September 2001
  “From the team's point of view, the trip was indeed a success with everyone raving over how diverse Ecuador is - from coast, mountains and jungle and what such a wonderful climate! There was a good mix of sightseeing, culture...”
  report added 05/Sep/01
• Ecuador Volcanoes 28 July to 16 August 2001
  “Horrendous conditions on Cayambe meant that we were confined to the hut where some useful training took place, we continued the following morning on to the glacier. Only slightly better conditions were met on Cotopaxi. Most gave...”
  report added 04/Sep/01
• Ecuador Volcanoes 10 July to 29 July 2001
  “The first of this summer\'s Ecuador Volcanoes trips went well despite mixed weather and difficult snow conditions, with members summiting on Ecuador\'s two highest volcanoes. We revised the itinerary for 2001 to include Ecuador\'s...”
  report added 07/Aug/01
• Ecuador Volcanoes 16 December 2000 - 4 January 2001
  “This was a predominantly successful expedition enjoyed by all participants. Seven team members summitted on Iliniza Norte in poor conditions, strong winds with snow and ice on the rock section of the ridge. On Cotopaxi (5,897m...”
  report added 16/Jan/01
• Ecuador Volcanoes 18 December 2000 - 7 January 2001
  “After coping well with the acclimatisation hikes on Pambamarca, up to the Hermoso Glacier on Cayambe and Guagua Pichincha we headed off to the higher peaks. Melvyn decided to concentrate on his photography, while we all ascended...”
  report added 16/Jan/01
• Ecuador Volcanoes 29 July - 17 August 2000
  “Conditions were less than perfect this season on Ecuador\'s famous volcanoes. Team members, led by Helena Winston, made the summits of Pambamarca and Illiniza Norte. Bad weather meant that they were forced to spend 2 days in the...”
  report added 15/Dec/00
• Ecuador Volcanoes 16 August - 3 September 2000
  “Mungo Ross led the second trip which was more successful in terms of the weather. However, due to the state of Chimborazo at the time, they opted instead to tackle Cayambe. Team members topped out on all four of their peaks with...”
  report added 15/Dec/00