Dear Client

This invoice is for your Mountain Climbing expedition in Ecuador 

Tour name

Climb Chimborazo 

$1800 net + 1% fee (USD $15)

The other 2.9% fee will automatically be added when you process your card

Thanks,

The Ecuador Eco Adventure  team

Arrival in Quito, where our team will welcome you at the airport and provide a private transfer to Quito Basecamp Hotel for check-in and overnight accommodation.

Today, we’ll enjoy a half-day guided tour through Quito’s UNESCO-listed Historic Centre, one of the largest and best-preserved colonial districts in Latin America. We’ll walk along its centuries-old streets and visit some of the Old Town’s most important landmarks, including Plaza Grande, the Presidential Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the ornate Church of La Compañía de Jesús, famous for its magnificent gold-covered interior.

We’ll continue toward San Francisco Plaza and its historic church and monastery, before visiting the impressive Basilica of the National Vow, known for its neo-Gothic architecture and distinctive gargoyles inspired by Ecuadorian wildlife. Along the way, your guide will share stories about Quito’s colonial past, architecture, traditions, and everyday life.

As Quito is located at approximately 2,850 meters (9,350 feet), this relaxed walking tour also serves as a gentle first acclimatization activity. After the tour, you’ll have the remainder of the day to relax, explore independently, and prepare for the upcoming mountain adventures.

Today, we’ll begin our first major acclimatization hike with an ascent of Rucu Pichincha, one of the iconic peaks overlooking Quito. After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the TelefériQo cable car station and ride from approximately 3,100 meters (10,170 feet) to Cruz Loma, located at around 3,950 meters (12,960 feet). During the ride, we’ll enjoy panoramic views of Quito and, in clear weather, several of Ecuador’s famous volcanoes.

From Cruz Loma, we’ll begin trekking across the high-altitude páramo, following a scenic trail toward Rucu Pichincha. The route climbs gradually through open grasslands before becoming steeper and rockier near the mountain. Depending on weather conditions, fitness, and acclimatization, we may continue to the summit at 4,696 meters (15,407 feet). The complete hike normally takes approximately five to six hours.

This ascent is an important part of the acclimatization process. Hiking slowly to nearly 4,700 meters allows the body to experience a significant but controlled increase in altitude while returning to sleep at the lower elevation of Quito. This “climb high, sleep low” approach encourages the body to begin adapting to reduced oxygen levels and helps prepare participants for the higher mountains ahead.

Throughout the hike, our guide will maintain a comfortable pace and monitor each participant for signs of altitude discomfort. We’ll take regular breaks to hydrate, eat snacks, and enjoy the impressive views of the surrounding Andes. After completing the trek, we’ll return by cable car and transfer back to Quito Basecamp Hotel for a well-earned rest and overnight accommodation.

Today, we’ll depart from Quito, travel by private transportation to Cotopaxi National Park. Upon arrival, we’ll complete the required registration before entering the protected area and continuing toward Tambo Paxi Lodge, located at approximately 3,750 meters (12,300 feet), beneath the impressive Cotopaxi volcano.

This day is dedicated entirely to acclimatization and recovery. After checking in, you can relax at the lodge or enjoy a gentle walk along one of the nearby trails through the Andean páramo. These optional hikes offer beautiful views of Cotopaxi and the surrounding highlands while allowing your body to adapt gradually to the increased altitude. The pace will remain easy, as the main objective is to conserve energy and prepare for the following day’s ascent.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner at the lodge and review the plan for the upcoming climb.

Accommodation: One night in private room at Tambo Paxi Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

The team gathers at Tambo Paxi Lodge (3,750 m) for lunch at 12:00 midday, providing a final opportunity to fuel up before heading to higher altitudes. Between 2:00 and 3:00 PM, the guides arrive with the necessary gear, and after a final equipment check, we depart towards José Rivas Refuge on Cotopaxi (4,864 m).

The drive takes us through the rugged landscapes of Cotopaxi National Park, offering stunning views of the páramo and volcanic terrain. We reach the car park at 4,780 m, where we begin a 40 to 50-minute trek up a steep, sandy trail to the refuge. Upon arrival, we settle in, acclimatize, and take time to relax.

Dinner is served at 5:00 PM, providing much-needed energy for the upcoming ascent. Afterward, we rest and prepare for the night climb, aiming for a midnight departure towards the summit of Cotopaxi at 5,897 m.

The summit climb begins at approximately midnight. After a light meal, our certified mountain guides will organize the rope teams, complete a final equipment check, and provide a safety briefing before beginning the ascent across Cotopaxi’s glacier.

The climb to the summit normally takes approximately six to seven hours, depending on glacier conditions, weather, and the pace of the group. We’ll ascend steadily through the night, using crampons, ice axes, harnesses, and ropes. If conditions are favorable, we’ll reach Cotopaxi’s summit at 5,897 meters (19,347 feet) around sunrise, with spectacular views of the crater and the surrounding Avenue of the Volcanoes.

After celebrating this challenging achievement and taking time for photographs, we’ll begin the careful descent to the José Rivas Refuge. The descent usually takes approximately two to three hours. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy a well-deserved breakfast, collect our equipment, and return to the park entrance.

We’ll then travel south toward Chimborazo, where we’ll check in at Chimborazo Basecamp Lodge, located at approximately 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). The rest of the day is dedicated to eating, hydrating, and recovering from the Cotopaxi climb while continuing the acclimatization process for Chimborazo.

Accommodation: Chimborazo Basecamp Lodge
Meals included: Light pre-climb meal, breakfast after the climb, lunch, and dinner

After a well-deserved night’s rest at Chimborazo Basecamp Lodge, today is reserved for leisure, recovery, and further acclimatization before the Chimborazo climb. Located at approximately 3,900 meters (12,795 feet), the lodge provides an ideal environment for the body to continue adapting to the altitude.

Guests may spend the day relaxing, hydrating, and enjoying the peaceful high-altitude surroundings. Those feeling energetic can take a short, gentle walk near the lodge to observe the unique Andean páramo landscape and, with some luck, spot wild vicuñas. However, no strenuous activity is planned, as the main objective is to recover fully from the Cotopaxi ascent and conserve energy for the upcoming climb.

Our team will also use this opportunity to review the next stage of the expedition, check equipment, and ensure that everyone is properly prepared. Maintaining good hydration, eating well, and resting at this elevation are essential parts of the acclimatization process.

Accommodation: Chimborazo Basecamp Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Today, we’ll meet the mountain team at approximately 12:00 p.m. for lunch at Chimborazo Basecamp Lodge. During lunch, the guides will provide a briefing covering the climbing schedule, current mountain conditions, safety procedures, and the equipment required for the summit attempt.

After lunch, we’ll complete a final gear check before driving into the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve and continuing to the Carrel Refuge, located at approximately 4,800 meters (15,748 feet). From there, we’ll begin the trek to Chimborazo High Camp, situated at approximately 5,300 meters (17,388 feet). The hike normally takes around two to three hours, depending on weather conditions and the pace of the group.

Upon arrival at High Camp, we’ll settle into our tents and have time to relax, hydrate, take photographs, and enjoy the spectacular high-altitude landscape. Dinner will be served early, at approximately 5:00 p.m., followed by several hours of rest before the nighttime summit attempt.

Our guides will organize the rope teams, check all technical equipment, and evaluate the weather and mountain conditions before beginning the climb directly from High Camp.

Accommodation: High Camp tents
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a light pre-climb meal

After approximately six to seven hours of climbing, we aim to reach the summit area between 6:00 and 7:30 a.m. Depending on the climbers’ pace, weather, and mountain conditions, the objective will be either Veintimilla Summit at 6,230 meters (20,440 feet) or Whymper Summit, Chimborazo’s highest point, at 6,263 meters (20,548 feet). For safety reasons, 7:30 a.m. is the latest recommended summit time.

After celebrating the achievement and taking photographs, we’ll begin the careful descent with our guides. The return to High Camp generally takes around three hours, where a well-deserved breakfast will be served. After eating and resting briefly, we’ll collect our equipment, descend to the vehicle, and leave the Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve.

Private transportation will then take you back to Quito. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary final night at Quito Basecamp Hotel. This marks the conclusion of your Cotopaxi and Chimborazo climbing adventure with us.

Meals included: Snacks for climb and breakfast after the climb
Accommodation: Complimentary night at Quito Basecamp Hotel