AVENUE OF THE VOLCANOES

16 days from GBP2,199 to GBP2,399 including flights
Tripcode: TPV

Countries Visited: Ecuador

Trek in Ecuador's volcanic backbone, learn ice-skills and climb Cotopaxi

The 'Avenue of the Volcanoes' is liberally sprinkled with some of the world's highest volcanic peaks. This comprehensive trek combines serious volcano climbing with some cultural highlights. We acclimatise with the Pinan Trek amongst the rolling highlands of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve and ascend Yanaurco (4530m) before heading south to climb Imbabura Volcano. We visit the Indian market at Otavalo before practicing our ice-skills on Cayambe Volcano's glaciers, the only ones in the world that cross the equator. The focus of this trek is the tough but non-technical ascent of Cotopaxi (5897m), the world's second highest active volcano. Our acclimatisation is carefully planned and along with thorough ice-skill training and a client to guide ratio of 2:1 on Cotoapaxi, we have the best chance of reaching this spectacular summit.

NB: Whilst this trip is graded C, please note that the Cotopaxi climb (included in the price, but optional for all clients) is Grade D - Tough.

Itinerary

[detailed itinerary...]

Day 1

Fly to Quito.

Day 2

Morning city tour; afternoon briefing and equipment check.

Day 3

Acclimitisation hike around stunning Cuicocha Crater Lake.

Day 4

Start Pinan trek; walk to a small Indian village.

Day 5

Camp besides Yanacoca Lake.

Day 6

Climb the extinct volcano of Yanaurco (4530m).

Day 7

End trek; relax in hot springs.

Day 8

Summit our second volcano, Imbabura (4630m); drive to Otovalo.

Day 9

Rest day; visit Otavalo Indian Market.

Day 10

To Cayambe Volcano; ice-skills class on glacier (approx 5,000m), overnight at 4,800m.

Day 11

Further ice-skill training; pm return to Quito.

Day 12

Free day in World Heritage City of Quito.

Day 13

Drive to Cotopaxi N.P.; Hike to mountain hut (4,800m).

Day 14

Climb Cotopaxi (non climbers hike in the National Park); drive to Quito.

Day 15

Depart Quito.

Day 16

Arrive London.

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Images from AVENUE OF THE VOLCANOES

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$Descending from Cotopaxi\'s summit, incredible views.$

Walking in the highlands of the Yanaurco Region.

On top of Cotopaxi.