VOLCANO MULTI ADVENTURE - Ecuador Cotopaxi National Park

THIS IS OUR NEW MULTISPORT ADVENTURE....INNOVATING FOR ACTIVE TRAVELERS IN THE COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK

Day 1 Horseback Riding

After a brief lesson to get acquainted with the horses and once outfitted in the typical "chagra" attire, we begin our ride from Hacienda El Porvenir taking the lower route towards Hacienda El Tambo Quilindaña and going by Pucará de Salitre, an Inca fortress. The group will ride in the shade of majestic Cotopaxi and will pass through impressive Andean landscapes. After 7 hours we reach Hacienda El Tambo Quilindaña were an excellent dinner in waiting for us.

Day 2 Trekking and Mountain Biking

On our second day we trek around Hacienda El Tambo Quilindaña going to Chirimachay canyon through the highlands of Cotopaxi. The scenery of this area is unique because of the Lava Rivers that flowed through here during Cotopaxi’s last eruption. This trek takes about 5 hours. At Chirimachay we start beautiful cross countries descend on mountain bikes through trails and roads. Biking time 2 hours approximately. We spent the night at Hacienda El Porvenir.

Day 3 Trekking Rumiñahui

Very early in the morning we begin climbing Rumiñahui Volcano, crossing vast highlands swept by the cold breath of the Andes. Form the peaks of Rumiñahui at 4712 m (15,455 ft) on a cloudless day; we can admire in the distance the peaks of Ilinizas and Chimborazo. Trekking time: 6 hours approximately. In the afternoon we trek back to El Porvenir farmhouse.

Days 4 & 5 Climbing Cotopaxi (No previous technical experience required) (or Biking and hiking if our client does not want to climb high altitude peaks)

Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park parking lot 4500 m (14,760 ft). We climb up-hill to the climbers' refuge at 4800 m (15748 ft). We have lunch and rest. During the afternoon we hike up to the glaciers to practice some basic ice climbing techniques. We rest for the rest of the day until midnight when we begin our climb to the summit. We reach the summit just as the sun is rising and take advantage of the early morning light at the summit. The descent takes two hours and afterwards we return by car to the Hacienda El Porvenir where we will take a delicious lunch then we can rest until the dinner and lodging.

We start the mountain biking adventure with an exciting downhill track from a parking lot located at 4500 m (14,760 ft) on the slopes of Cotopaxi Volcano. In addition to admiring the stunning landscape, descending from the volcano to Limpiopungo Valley is adrenaline filled, followed by a cross-country ride through the bed of an old landslide formed by lava and mud flows from past volcano eruptions. We will ride by old ruins dating back to the Inca Empire where we have a lunch break. The adventure resumes when we reach Hacienda El Porvenir or Santa Rita Private Reserve (depending on the program), biking trough the magical Andean forest filled with abundant flora and fauna, rivers, ravines and waterfalls, and we end our ride in Los Chillos Valley.

Day 6 The Canopy Tour

In the morning a great breakfast will be waiting for us, then we will travel (20 minutes), in a van, carrying our stuff to Hacienda Santa Rita, where one of the most exiting activities wait for us. El Cañon del Salto Canopy is a transportation system based on harnesses and pulleys attached to an inclined cable, taking advantage of gravity. This system was used by scientists who were doing research in the forest canopy. They avoided coming down to the ground and climbing up the next tree by using this system. El Cañón del Salto Canopy Tour is a safe way to enjoy high mountain forest from the upper part. This is an environmentally low-impact adventure; it gives people with few or no climbing techniques knowledge to live an exciting experience. All the will late 3 hour around, finally we will take a box lunch and comeback to Quito.

PRICES FOR A SINGLE PERSON:
• 6 DAYS TOUR WITH COTOPAXI CLIMB: 1502 USD
• 5 DAYS TOUR WITH COTOPAXI CLIMB: 1284 USD
FOR MORE THAN ONE TRAVELER, WE APPLY IMPORTANT DISCOUNTS!

Tour Includes
• Lodging (based on double machai room and refuge)
• 13 meals
• Described activities
• Guides (bilingual and local depending on the activity)
• Basic equipment for activities (chaps and poncho, bike and protection pads, climbing boots, crampons, mittens, ice axe, harness and goggles)
• Transportation from and back to Quito (on tour days)

Tour Does Not Include

• Cotopaxi National Park entrance fee (US$10 foreigners)
• Personal trekking and climbing equipment
• Bar and shop
• Tips

Josep Nebot
Sales Manager
PIONEER JOURNEYS
The Custom Adventure Travel Company of Ecuador
Web: www.pioneerjourneys.com
Skype user: pioneer.journeys
E-mail: jnebot@pioneerjourneys.com
Phone: from abroad (00593) 91334508
from Ecuador 091334508

ECUADOR, FOUR WORLDS OF ADVENTURE AND TRADITIONS, explore it WITH YOUR INSTINCTS

Mountains, glaciers, volcanoes, jungle, micro-environments, large rivers, ocean islands, cities, indigenous nations, cultures, etc. Located in a privileged place, in northwestern South America and crossed by latitude 0 which divides this place between the two hemispheres, this is the small country called Ecuador.
In his small size (270 670 square kilometers) Ecuador contains wonderful and great natural contrasts, making it a tourist destination full of fascinating experiences and adventures for the visitor. He is considered one of the 17 countries containing more biodiversity. Its territory consists of four worlds (four regions), firmly united by a single cultural heritage.
In the high Andes volcano rising more than five thousand feet high with snow and glaciers of ancient ice. This place is typically known as the Avenue of the Volcanoes, wide avenue, which runs light striking wilderness, rain forests, valleys, towns, cities and colonial history, ponds and lakes and large mythical giants such as Cotopaxi (5897 m) volcano, the highest active one in the world, striking Antisana (5704 meters), the "daddy" Chimborazo (6310 m), Cayambe (5790 m) among others.
The rainforest, a deep green mystery, is a totally different region and make you think being in another country, but you are still in Ecuador, however, has entered into another world: the eastern or Amazonian jungle. From the exuberant and intense vegetation of this region are discovered volcanoes like Sangay and El Altar. Here we can find many reserves and national parks, including: The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, an ideal place where they live reptiles, mammals, pink dolphins, etc. Biological Reserve Limoncocha perfect place to see black caimans. Yasuni National Park, declared by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve is one of the most biodiverse in the world.
We can watch the highest Mangroves in the world in Cayapas Ecological Reserve - Mataje. We are now in the coastal region. Beautiful beaches are found along the route of the coastal zone of Ecuador (Route Spondylus). Sightings of breeding humpback whales during their season (June to October) in the area of Puerto Lopez, a visit to the Isla de la Plata, a place known as the "small Galapagos" by the presence of birds found only in Archipelago is one of several alternatives for visitors to enjoy your exploration. Here we can also add sports such as surfing, scuba diving.
Undoubtedly one of the most famous in the world to observe nature in its purest form, are the Galapagos Islands, one of the most important National Parks in the world. Visitors tell wonderful stories about flightless birds, marine iguanas, blue footed boobies danced in their rituals during the mating season, and what about penguins who live at latitude zero, flamingos, finches, frigate birds, hawks. And we must not forget the giant tortoises that give the name to the Islands. If the flora and fauna that can be seen in the island surface full of emotions and leave the traveler impressed, we should mention that the Navy Reserve as the archipelago was declared a World Heritage Site, is one of the seven world's most important sites for snorkeling and diving. Explorers in their dives are accompanied by whales, rays, manta rays, colorful fish, hammerhead sharks, iguanas, sea lions, etc.
Do not underestimate Ecuador for its size, is a country that offers more adventures and places I know four worlds concentrated to optimize your time. Ecuador, experience it!

10 Day Ascent of Ruco Pichincha, Illiniza Norte, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo - Departure Date: 20th of December.

Join us on that departure date: 20th of December. Final expedition price will be stablished once the group is finally closed. Check all details on
http://www.pioneerjourneys.com/10-day-ascent-of-ruco-pichincha-illiniza-norte-cotopaxi-and-chimborazo.html

Overview
This is a beautiful combination of acclimatization mountains and high altitude volcanoes. Climbing Ruco Pichincha (4.698 m / 15,413 ft) and Illiniza Norte (5.116 m / 16,785 ft) through its Andean grass carpets will let us to properly acclimatize for the following high altitude challenging mountains: Cotopaxi (19,347ft/5.897m) the second highest volcano in Ecuador and one of the most perfect cone shaped active volcanoes in the world; and Chimborazo (6.310m/20,702ft), the highest peak of Ecuador and of the World if we measure it from the core of the globe.

Itinerary
Day 1: Rucu Pinchincha (4.698 m / 15,413 ft)
We'll leave Quito in the morning and drive by car to the Cruz Loma, situated 10 kilometers west from the capital. From there it will take us approximately 3 and a half hours to reach the summit. Later in the afternoon we'll be back in Quito.

Day 2: Quito – El Chaupi Hostelry (4.650 m / 15,256 ft)
Leaving Quito in the morning, we’ll drive 2 hours to the base of the Illiniza. Today we will do a 3 hours hike around the base of the Illiniza to get a good acclimatization. We’ll accommodate in our associated El Chaupi Hostelry.

Day 3: Illiniza Norte Summit (5.116 m / 16,785 ft)
Our climb begins at 5 am following a rocky ridge. Under normal conditions, no special skills are required. Nevertheless, our guides will be always prepared to overcome any difficulty in order to reach the summit safety (some times our path can be pretty snowy or we may encounter bad weather conditions). From summit you’ll have a privileged view of the Avenue of Volcanoes: Cayambe, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo…After our descent, we’ll head to enjoy a very good meal in our associated Tambopaxi Hostelry, right in the base of Cotopaxi Volcano.

Day 4: Refuge of Cotopaxi (4.800 m / 15,750 ft)
After breakfast, we’ll drive to the entrance of the Cotopaxi National Park and to the car park located at 4.600 m / 15092 ft. From there, we’ll hike for about an hour to the refuge (4.800 m / 15,750 ft). Once in the hut, we’ll take lunch and prepare for the climb to one of the most beautiful mountains of the high Andes: the perfect cone of Cotopaxi.

Day 5: Cotopaxi’s Summit (19,347 ft / 5.897 m)
Our climb will begin at about one in the morning. As all normal big Ecuadorian volcanoes routes, this is also quite physically demanding. After a 30 degree rocky and ashy slope, we’ll enter the glacier area and the several 30 to 45 degrees slopes that will take us to the edge of the one of most impressive crater formations. Having enjoyed the sunrise during our climb, from the top of that gigantic perfect cone shaped active volcano (19,347 ft / 5.897 m), we’ll be amazed at the views of the deep crater and the also caped mountains of Antizana, Cayambe and Chimborazo. After our 3 hours descent, we’ll head back to our hostelry where you’ll be able to rest and enjoy some good meals.

Day 6: Drive trip to the City of Riobamba and the base of Chimborazo Volcano.
This day is important in order to recover the strength and prepare for our last challenge in Chimborazo. We will drive for about 3 hours through the Andes till the City of Riobamba and to the comfortable mountain refuge Estrella del Chimborazo. We will have time to relax and visit some interesting historic points.

Day 7: Estrella del Chimborazo to High Campsite (5.047m/16,558ft)
After breakfast, we’ll get prepared for a three hours hike up to our high campsite. Once there, we’ll spend the afternoon preparing for the climb.

Day 8: Summit of Chimborazo (6.310m/20,702ft)
Chimborazo, with 6.310m/20,702ft, is the highest mountain in Ecuador and, somehow, the world’s highest point if we consider the distance from the center of the Earth (because of its ovoid shape caused by rotation). Although Chimborazo is considered an extinct volcano, its massive towering ice-capped peak can easily be seen from the Pacific Coast. Beneath the spectacular summit is a crater that today is eroded and contorted, suggesting that this mountain might have been even higher in more ancient times.
Our climb will start at midnight following the normal route. We should be reaching the summit after 8 to 9 hours of climbing. From there, you’ll enjoy one of the most extraordinary views in Ecuador: the Pacific Ocean, the Amazon rain forest, the peaks of Altar, Illinizas, Anizana and Cotopaxi, and the smoky active volcanoes of Tungurahua and Sangay.

The descent to the Estrella del Chimborazo takes around four hours. There, we will relax and recover our bodies with some delicious celebrating meals.

Day 9: Return to Quito
After having breakfast we’ll drive through the Avenue of Volcanoes back to Quito where we’ll accommodate in our hotel and celebrate the end of the trip with a great dinner.

Day 10: Extra Day
This extra day is highly recommended in order to improve the chances of climbing all of our goals. For instance, it can be used as an extra day for climbing Chimborazo if bad weather conditions delay our climbing attempt or and extra rest or acclimatization day is needed. If that extra day is finally not needed for climbing, it can be spent to do some cultural visits or even perform some activities in the cloud forest near Quito or relaxing in the hot springs of Baños, always according to your preferences.

Ask us any other detail you need to know, and join this group departure on the 20th of December.

Contact us:
Josep Nebot
Sales Manager
PIONEER JOURNEYS
The Custom Adventure Travel Company of Ecuador
Web: www.pioneerjourneys.com
Skype user: pioneer.journeys
E-mail: jnebot@pioneerjourneys.com