Secret Mountains of Ecuador

Ecuador is rightly known as the friendliest of the South American countries. While being one of the smallest in area and population, it is also one of the richest in terms of geographical wonders, flora and fauna. Centre stage is the masterpiece of Ecuador's varied geography - the dramatic, beautiful and endless seeming Andes, which bisect not only Ecuador from north to south but also the entire South American continent.

Beginning in the laid-back, multi-ethnic city of Quito - one of the highest capitals in the world, your challenge continues to the Pasochoa volcano (home to the world’s highest forest) to finish with a serious climb of Cotopaxi volcano.

Day 1 Transfer in Quito
Your guide will pick you up at the airport and you will be driven to your hotel. Overnight at hotel Sierra Madre.

Day 2 Quito City tour + Equatorial Monuments
To Day you will discover Quito in the morning, A short tour of Quito, taking you to its various splendid churches, monasteries, monuments, the Parliament Building and the Panecillo hill, is followed by a visit to the Equatorial Monument located 45 minutes north of Quito. Recently renovated, the ‘Middle of the World Village’ provides a variety of attractions, including a fascinating museum displaying artifacts from all Ecuador’s ethnic groups as well as a visual history of their way of life. Overnight at hotel Sierra Madre. Breakfast included.

Day 3 Pasochoa Trek
We will start the day with a one-hour drive to the Pasochoa Volcano. The 5-6 hour trek from the Ecology Reserve entrance to the summit takes us through rain forest and upper grasslands. It’s a tough trek to the summit, along the ridge of the volcano, where you will hopefully see hummingbirds and smaller Ecuadorian birds. Overnight at La Estacion
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Corazon Hike (6 to 8 hours)
El Corazon is located on the western side of the Avenue of the Volcanoes south of Quito, between the Ilinizas and the Atacazo. It is named such because some claim to see the shape of a heart on the mountain in two gullies from the northwest.
In the morning we will take a day hike to El Corazon (4.721m). It is a common acclimatization climb for mountaineers. Afternoon we’ll return to Tambopaxi for dinner. Overnight Tambopaxi Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Manatial / Pucara Soft Trek
Today there is the option of a gentle hike to the pre-incan archaeological site, Pucara and an easy trek around el Manantial. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Tambopaxi lodge.
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 Cotopaxi Refuge
Your support vehicles will drive you for approximately 45 minutes to the Cotopaxi refuge Jose Rivas hut at 4,800m. Around midday you will have lunch and then do some ice climbing practice in the afternoon. You will have an early dinner and be encouraged to go to bed at around 7pm, in preparation for the big day tomorrow.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Cotopaxi Climb
You will leave the refuge at around midnight for Cotopaxi summit, which is a gruelling 6-hours of constant climbing up steep glaciers. Using crampons and ice axes, and roped up to professional guides, this climb is tough but with unbelievably rewarding views from the summit. After summiting, you will descend to the refuge for a mid-morning hot soup. You will then return to the vehicle stop at 4,495m and drive to Quito. Overnight hotel Sierra Madre.
Breakfast & Lunch included.

Day 8 Transfer Out
You will be driven to the airport for your international flight. Breakfast included

N.B. The itinerary is there as a guide and may change due to unusual weather patterns, wildlife movements, the strength of the group and so on. We will do our very best to keep to the set itinerary however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, your expedition leader will have the final word.