Avenue Of The Volcanoes

15 days - from $2450

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:

Day 1 Start Quito. 2 Morning city tour; afternoon briefing and equipment check. 3 Acclimatisation hike around stunning Cuicocha Crater Lake. 4 Start Pinan trek; walk to a small Indian village. 5 Camp besides Yanacoca Lake. 6 Climb the extinct volcano of Yanaurco (4530m). 7 End trek; relax in hot springs. 8 Rest day; visit Otavalo Indian Market. 9 Summit our second volcano, Imbabura (4630m); drive to Otovalo. 10 To Cayambe Volcano; ice-skills class on glacier (approx 5000m), overnight at 4,800m. 11 Further ice-skill training; pm return to Quito. 12 Free day in World Heritage City of Quito. 13 Drive to Cotopaxi N.P.; Hike to mountain hut (4800m). 14 Climb Cotopaxi (non climbers hike in the National Park); drive to Quito. 15 End Quito.

Mode of travel: 5 days walking with full support, 5 days climbing and practice; altitude maximum 5897m, average 4000m. Ice climbing experience not required as full training provided. Grade C (Cotopaxi climb D).
Group size: Normally 6 to 16, plus leader and appropriate local staff. The ascent Cotopaxi Volcano; there is a ratio:1 guide to 2 clients.
Accommodation: 9 nights hotels with en suite facilities, 3 nights full-service camping and 2 nights in mountain huts with shared facilities.
Food: All breakfasts, 11 lunches and 9 dinners included.
Optional Single Supplement: from $297.50
Trip Reference: TPV
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.
Trip Reference: TPV