Mountain Guiding; Mountain Safety
An Experienced Professional

[The Climbing] [Cost] [Travel Information] [Summary] [Register] [Brochure]

Typical Itinerary

The following schedule is a sample, it is subject to alteration depending on your interests, conditions in general, and the weather while we are there. (Possible sources of late itinerary changes include, but are not limited to: volcanic activity, general strikes, and weather.) It may seem aggressive in the number of peaks included, but it is possible to rest rather than climb on some of the days. Some climbers may need to rest more than others initially to acclimate, and the routes vary in difficulty and therefore appeal.

While the itinerary has 16 days for a two week trip there are two days before our mandatory meeting and one day of rest at the end. Planning on these days allows more time for acclimatization and schedule changes, but they can also be used to reduce the trip time to 14 days for those who find that necessary.

Days 1-2: Arrive in Quito (2850 m, 9350 ft).
                   See the city
                    Hikes to Pululagua Crater and/or Loma Lumbisi (3-4 hr, 3045 m, 9987 ft)

Day 3: Mandatory evening meeting to cover safety, security, altitude illnesses, etc

Day 4: Unguii (4-5 hr, 3578 m, 11735 ft), remain based in Quito

Day 5: Cerro Imbabura (10 hr, 4580 m, 15022 ft), remain based in Quito

Day 6: El Corazon (2 hr, 4788 m, 15705), arrive at Hacienda San Jose (3400 m)

Day 7: Travel to Ilinica refuge or glacier camp via horse from Hacienda (4 hr)
               Iliniza Norte possible (2-3 hr, 5126 m, 16813 ft, non-technical if no snowcover)
               Rest and prepare for next day

Day 8: Iliniza Sur (All day, 5248 m, 17213 ft, 30-55°, 3m sections up to 80° possible)
              Iliniza Norte possible today as an alternative

Day 9: Return to Quito

Day 10: Rest day in Quito (short walks, hikes, scrambles all possible)

Day 11: Travel to Chimborazo glacier base camp (4700 m, 15400 ft)

Day 12-13: Chimborazo (5570 m, 18274 ft, mixed climbing, steep snow/ice, bivouac )
                    To the lowest of four summits, but with the finest climbing on the mountain
                    Alternate route or variations possible for easier climbing

Day 14: Climb of Piedro Negra possible (climbing on rock up to 5.5)
               Descend to a refuge for the night

Day 15: Return to Quito

Day 16: Rest, reorganize, shop for gifts before leaving, etc
               (If weather is poor earlier on the trip then see the above 2 days)
             Depart today or tomorrow

[The Climbing] [Cost] [Travel Information] [Summary] [Register] [Brochure ]