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Ecuador Tours and Travel

A 12-day superlative trekking adventure to the famous Andes volcanoes of Ecuador! This demanding highland tour through the Andes of Ecuador following the traces of Humboldt, the natural scientist, is a personal challenge for every participant! Sunrises over majestic volcano tops, romantic mountain huts, comradeship among climbers, tremendous ice walls and overwhelming views of the surrounding 5,000 m peaks turn this physically active trip into an unforgettable mountain adventure!

Day 1: Arrival Quito, Ecuador
Welcome to Ecuador! You arrive in the bustling capital of Ecuador: Qui-to. The city of Quito is surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes and is located only 22 kilometers from the equator. Besides that it is the highest located capital of the world with an altitude of 2,850 m. Quito was also given the nick name “Monastry of America” because of its many churches and abbeys. At the airport your English-speaking guide welcomes you and takes you to the Hotel Casa Foch *** where you will spend the following nights. After that we may explore the surroundings on our own and stroll through the streets full of South American vitality. (-/-/-)

Day 2: Quito City Tour & Equator Monument
After breakfast, you enjoy a city tour through the colonial neighborhoods. Quito’s historic center was declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1978. The city is considered as the location with the largest accumu-lation of art treasures in South America. You visit Plaza de la Independencia, view the unique Jesuit Church La Compañía de Jesús, and those among us free from gid-diness have the opportunity to scale the basilica’s tower over ladders – a braveness rewarded with a legendary view over the entire city of Quito!
Then you head to the Panecillo which is a 200 m high volcan-ic hill. Here you also have a breathtaking view over Quito and if the sky is clear you can even marvel at the volcanoes Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Cayambe and Antizana. The statue of the Virgen de Quito with its 45 m is also located on top of the Panecillo. You ride on to Mitad del Mundo, the equator mo-nument a few kilometers north of Quito. There you also pay a visit to the near-by Museo Intiñan. In this museum you have the possibility to check and prove the position at the zero line. Then you return to Quito and stay at the same hotel as the night be-fore. (B/-/-)

Day 3: Visit of the Ruins of Cochasquí & Acclimatization Hike around Lagoon Cuicocha (3.200m)
Today you head towards Otavalo. En route we stop at the Ruins of Cochasqui. In this park of ruins you can find 15 incomplete pyramids of an age of up to 1.500 years. Nine of them were built with inclined roofs. These ruins are evidence of the historical co-lonization of present-day Ecuador. These burial sites complete the architecture of this area which represents the cultural, astronomi-cal and religious centre of the Quitu Cara culture. Then you ride on to Lake Cuicocha, a crater lake that emerged some 3,100 years ago as the result of a massive eruption. In the afternoon, you un-dertake a hike along its 8 km long crater rib and enjoy a gorgeous view on the lake with a diameter of 3 km and its two islands. Later you reach a small hotel managed by Otavalo Indians in Otavalo. (B/BL/-)

Day 4: Acclimatization Hike Fuya Fuya (4.286m) and visit of the Indian market Otavalo
This morning you climb the Mt. Fuya Fuya (altitude: 4.630 mts) which is the highest peak surrounded by the lagoons of Mojan-da. From its top you can enjoy a beautiful view of the North-ern Sierra of Ecuador. Afterwards you head to the famous Indian market in Otavalo, probably the gaudiest Indian market in South America. Stroll through the famous colorful market of Otavalo which catches you with its bustling market atmosphere of native In-dians and there is surely an opportunity for you to buy extraordinary weavings and other typical crafts. Besides exotic fruits, vegetables and delicious food, you can also buy ponchos, blankets, tapestry, table cloths and other artfully wo-ven fabrics as well as traditional music instruments or jewelry of the most varying kinds. After sufficient time for shopping, you return to your hacienda of the previous night. (B/BL/-)

Day 5: Mt. Imbabura (4.630 m)
After breakfast the next acclimatization hike awaits you. Today you reach an altitude of 4.630 meters while walking up Mt. Imbabura. As the dominant geographic feature of the area, Imbabura is of significant importance to the local culture, which involves a spiritual relationship with the land. In fact, Imbabura is considered the sacred protector of the region. After approximately 8 hours hiking you will head back to Quito. Tonight you stay again in the Hotel Casa Foch***. (B/BL/-)

Day 6: Mt. Guagua Pichincha (4.790 m)
In the morning you head to Guagua Pichincha, where you will hike for approximately 6 hours to the summit. This still active volcano consists of 2 peaks, the Rucu, which means (“old”) Pichincha and the Guagua, which means (“young”) Pichincha (4.700m). Both peaks are visible from the capital city Quito and are easy to ascend. The Province`s name around this impressive Vulcano is named after the volcano Pichincha. After a whole day of hiking you return by private transfer to Quito. There you spend the night in the Hostería La Estación*** in Aloasi. (B/BL/-)

Day 7: Mt. Illiniza Norte (5.126 m)
Today you ride to La Virgen (3.900 m), from where you start your 2 to 4-hour hike to Refugio “Nu-evo Horizonte” and gradually get used to the altitude. Then you undertake the ascent to the summit of Mt. Illiniza Norte. Passing rocks, you climb steeply up to a viewpoint in order to enjoy the inde-scribable panorama of surrounding volcanoes. After being grouped in rope teams, you ascend for some 2-3 hours over diverse easy passages until you finally reach the narrow top. The descent is then considerably easier so that after 9 hours hiking you will be back at your accommodation Hacienda La Cienega*** in Lasso. (B/BL/-)

Day 8: Acclimatization Hike around the Lagoon Quilotoa (3.900m)
Today you drive to the marvelous emerald green crater lagoon Quilo-toa. Arriving there, you hike up and down of the no longer active volcano Quilotoa which lies at an altitude of 3.900 meters. Once at the bottom, you could swim in the crater, but this is due to its cold and the sulphurous waters not really recommendable. After your visit to this beautiful lagoon and approximately 4 hours hiking, you return to your hacienda of the previous night. (B/BL/-)

Day 9: Cotopaxi National Park
Right after breakfast, you start your trip to the Cotopaxi National Park which awaits you with an overwhelming view of imposing mountain scenery. The famous volcano Co-topaxi (5.897 m) is the highest active volcano of the world, however it is also one of the most ascended mountains of the country. From the parking space at 4,500 m a. s. l. you slowly continue on an hour long hike until the mountain refuge Jose Rivas, located at an altitude of 4,800 m. From there, in the after-noon you climb on still a bit, to a small glaci-er at some 5,000 m, in order to acclimatize further and train the use of crampons. After you have returned to the refuge you go to bed early to be in good shape for your ascent at midnight. (B/BL/D)

Day 10: Mt. Cotopaxi (5,897 m) & Baños
Around midnight, you start your ascent to the highest active volcano on earth – Mt. Cotopaxi. After some 6-7 hours of climb through the glacier and past deep glacier crevasses, you finally reach the top of Mt. Cotopaxi at 5,897 m. You are rewarded not only with an awesome view into the crater but, at sunrise, with the unique pano-rama of the surrounding snow-capped volcanoes Mt., Cayambe, Mt. Antisana and Mt. Chimbora-zo, surely a sight you will never forget! Under the rising sun you will then descent to the refuge and on to the park-ing site. From there, you continue your trip to Baños where you will spend the night and recover from the ef-forts made. (B/BL/-)

Day 11: Baños
Today it is our choice to decide how to spend your day. Op-tionally, you may locally book the following activities: rafting, canyoning, canopy, bridge swinging, horseback riding, hiking, thermal springs, SPA or just relax and recover from the last days. In the afternoon you head back to Quito where you will spend the night again in Hotel Casa Foch*** in Quito. (B/-/-)

Day 12: Departure from Quito
After an exciting trip ascending the peaks of the smallest Andean state the time has come to say good-bye to the Ecuador, its volcanoes, and a trip you will keep in your memory forever. (B/-/-)

EXTENSION POSSIBILITY: ASCENT OF MT. CHIMBORAZO (6.310m)

Day 11: Baños
Today it is our choice to decide how to spend your day. You can go on an impressive bike tour along the road of waterfalls. Certainly, the "Pailón del Di-ablo" will catch your special attention, as masses of water of Rio Verde plunge to the depths and you may even climb behind the waterfall. Optionally, you may also locally book the following activities: rafting, canyoning, canopy, bridge swinging, horse-back riding, hiking, thermal springs, SPA or just relax and recover from the last days. You spend the night in the same hotel as the previous day. (B/-/-)

Day 12: Hike in Mt. Chimborazo Natural Reserve (4.980 m)
After breakfast you ride to Ambato and on to Guaranda. From there, you continue to the Mt. Chimborazo Natural Reserve, where you undertake a two-hour hike to Carell Refuge at 4,800 m altitude. In order to acclimatize opti-mally, you may still add on a little march, some meters of altitude more, until the almost 200 m higher Whymper Refuge, where you realize another short acclimatization tour above the refuge. You will rest a bit prior to the most difficult mountain ascent in Ecuador, since at midnight your guide will call you to “Get up for the ascent!” The adventure of the ascent of Ecuador’s highest peak is about to begin! (B/BL/D)

Day 13: Mt. Chimborazo (6.310 m)
Firstly past scree slopes until the foot of the glacier and with the crampons on through the left side of the giant Thielmann Glacier, in a very demanding, approx. seven hour long climb, you ascend to Ecua-dor’s highest point. A truly breathtaking sight awaits you there! Exhausted, you then descend to the Refugio and on to the parking site. In the afternoon you ride back to Quito, where you will relax at your Hotel Casa Foch***. (B/BL/-)

Day 14: Departure from Quito
After an exciting trip ascending the peaks of the smallest Andean state the time has come to say good-bye to the Ecuador, its volcanoes, and a trip you will keep in your memory forever. (B/-/-)

Highlights:
. Ascent to Mt. Cotopaxi (5,897 m) – the highest active volcano in the world!
. Ascent to Mt. Illiniza-Norte (5,126 m)
. Ascent to Mt. Guagua Pichincha (4,790 m)
. Ascent to Mt. Imbabura (4,630 m)
. Ascent to Mt. Fuya Fuya (4,286 m)

Extension Possibility:
. Ascent to Mt. Chimborazo (6,310 m) – the highest mountain of Ecuador and the point on earth closest to the sun

Acclimatization:
. Hike to and visit of the Inca Pyramids of Cochasqui, the cultural, astronomic and religious heart of the Quitu Cara culture
. Hike to the Cuicocha crater lake (3,200 m)
. Hike to the Quilotoa crater lagoon (3,900 m)

Supporting Program:
. Stroll across the famous gaudy Market of the Otavalo Indians at Otavalo
. Guided City Tour through the colonial center of Quito (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) including the Panecillo Hill
. Trip to Mitad del Mundo (“Center of the Earth”) incl. visit of the Solar Museum (“Museo Intiñan”)
. Relaxation or adventurous activities in Baños

Services Included:
. English-speaking tour guides (not during mountain ascents!)
. Additional English-speaking, licensed Mountain Guides during ascents (2 participants per mountain guide) to Mt. Cotopaxi & Mt. Chimborazo. All mountain guides are members of ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Mountain Guides Association) and have successfully passed examinations at the “Authority of High Mountains” in Chamonix (French Alps), and ENSA (National School of Ski and Alpinism), the world’s best school for mountain guides.
. Mountain Equipment (pickaxes, crampons and crampon shoes, securing and fastening equipment, helmet)
. All rides and transfers, excursions etc.
. Accommodation in very stylish colonial hotels or similar, as well as the simple mountain refuges José Rivas (Cotopaxi) & Wimper (Chimborazo) in shared rooms
. Fullboard in the mountains, Breakfast during hotel overnights

Not included:
. Meals not listed and all drinks
. National park fees and entrance fees (approx. 60 Euro) as well as international exit and airport tax (approx. 45 USD)
. Personal expenses and optional activities
. Personal equipment (sleeping bag, helmet lamp, etc.)

Number of participants: . 2 - 12 Pax

Requirements:
team spirit, abdication of comfort, surefootedness, experience with crampons if participating in ascent to summit of Mt. Chimborazo (you however may also wait in the refuge for the “summiteers” to return!)

Please Note:
. Participants must have a valid international health insurance.
. One ascent attempt per summit is included in the tour price. Conditions allowing, a second attempt may be additionally booked locally (costs for second attempt and program modification are not included in tour price).
. Successful attempts are subject to climatic conditions and physical conditions of participants and may hence not be guaranteed! Any decision regarding the possible abortion of ascents is to be taken exclusively by the mountain guides.

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Travel Dates: 2012 - March 31-April 11, May 26-June 6, June 23-July 4, July 21- Aug. 1, Aug. 18-29, Oct. 6-17, Nov. 3-14

Price per person: 1898 US$ (surcharge for SGL: 407US$)
Extension price: US$920 for 1 person, US$517 each for 2 people. US$29 single supplement

It is possible to have other departures if the dates of our group tours do not fit. The prices would be the following: 2 People = 2295US$ per person, 3 People = US$1888 per person, and 4 People = 1628 US$ per person