6 Day Cayambe Volcano Expedition

Manolo Guerra

Cayambe is a beautiful 18.996 ft / 5.790 m active volcano and the highest point on the equator that splits the Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It is located inside of the Cayambe-Coca National Park in the western Andes of Ecuador, 60 km / 37 mi north of Quito. It is the third highest elevation in Ecuador and due to the low skill level required, is an ideal option as an introduction to high Andean summits.

If you are passionate for hiking and mountaineering, this short program allows you to climb the third highest elevation in Ecuador! In addition, this program is ideal for people without much experience, since it does not require high technical skills. Besides the experience of climbing the giant CAYAMBE, you will also know the Andean cultural richness reflected in the colorful indigenous markets, beautiful colonial towns, old haciendas and the Andean farming lands.

Height: 5790 m
$1,790.00 USD
Mountaineering
Fitness Level
Skill Level
Days

Servicio válido para 2023.

Tour 6 Day Cayambe Volcano Expedition

Day 1: Cuicocha Hike (3.500 m/11.480 ft)

We will start our acclimatization process hiking around Cuicocha Lake, located at 10.170 ft / 3.100 m in Imbabura Province two hours north of Quito. 

This is a short but beautiful hike in one of the most gorgeous places of Imbabura, also known as the Lakes Province. Cuicocha Lake, is the ancient crater of Cotacachi Volcano, the highest point of Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve. The hike travel along the surrounding crater edge that shelters the lake getting to 3.500 m/11.480 ft at the highest point where we will have a beautiful view of the Yerovi and Wolf volcanic domes.

Once we finish the hike, we will visit Otavalo and the Ponchos Plaza, the largest artisans market in Latin America known for wonderful handmade arts and crafts. (B/L/D)

MEALS: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Countryside Hotel in Imbabura

 

Day 2: Imbabura Volcano (4.540 m /14.900 ft)

We will wake up early in the morning and drive to the foothills of Imbabura volcano, which is traditionally considered by indigenous people of the area as a sacred mountain. We will start the hike to its highest summit from the east side of the mountain, which takes about 4-5 hours depending on the pace. At the beginning, there is a steep moor section before reaching the rock ridge that takes us to the northern summit at 4.540 m /14.900 ft. After enjoying the summit, we will hike back about 3 hours.

MEALS: Breakfast + Box Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Quito


Day 3: Corazón Volcano (4.780 m/15.682 ft)

Continuing our acclimatization and training process, we will climb this extinct volcano is located inside of the Illinizas Ecological Reserve in the western Ecuadorian Andes. We will drive to the southeast flank of this beautiful mountain to start hiking at 3.700 m/12.140 ft through the moor until take the southern ridge, which has enjoyable rock sections with amazing views. Finally, after approximately 4 hours of ascend we will reach the summit!

MEALS: Breakfast + Box Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Countryside Hotel in Illinizas

 

Day 4: Northern Illiniza (5.126 m/16.818 ft)

This day, we are ready to make our first climb over 16.500 ft / 5.000 m! The Illinizas are two peaks left by the original volcano located within the Illiniza Ecological Reserve.  Northern Illiniza, is beautiful rocky mountain of 16.818 ft / 5.126 m that offers the opportunity to reach this height without much technical difficulties. 

We will start the ascend hike at 12.800 ft / 3.900 m by a steep sand ridge until get the Nuevos Horizontes hut in between the two peaks at 15.400 ft / 4.700 m. After a break, we will start the final climb with some easy scramble rock passages that will take us to the summit! 

MEALS: Breakfast + Box Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Quito

 

Day 5: Cayambe Glacier Practices (4.700 m/15.400 ft) 

We will drive two hours from Quito to Cayambe-Coca National Park and settle-in at Oleas Berge hut at 4.600 m / 15.100 ft. Then we will get ready for practice basic techniques for glaciers travel. 
In the afternoon, we will return to the hut to prepare equipment and rest for a while. Early dinner at 18:00 and sleep time, since we will wake up at midnight to attempt the summit! 

MEALS: Breakfast + Box Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Cayambe Hut

 

Day 6: Cayambe Summit (5.790 m/18.996 ft)

We will wake-up at midnight, dress up and have breakfast. The ascent hike start around 1:00 and takes approximately 6-7 hours to get the summit depending on the pace. After enjoy the summit for a while start the descent that takes about 3 hours. 

Once in the hut, we will have time to have a nap and then pack up everything to travel to Quito. On the way back to Quito, we will have a well deserve farewell meal and some beers to celebrate end of this amazing program!  

MEALS: Box Lunch + Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Quito

INCLUDED

  • Transportation for the entire program
  • Bilingual certified ASEGUIM guides
  • Meals indicated in the itinerary
  • Safe drinking water during the whole program
  • Accommodation in countryside hotels and huts during the whole program
  • Permits and park fees
  • Climbing gear: helmet, mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axe, rope and carabineers

 

NOT INCLUDED

  • Flight tickets
  • Airport transfers*
  • Lodging and meals in Quito*
  • Travel Insurance
  • Extra sports and alcoholic drinks
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips

*We can include airport transfers, lodging and meals during your time in Quito.

 

REQUIRED

  • Travel or duffel bag for all equipment and personal stuff.

  • Day backpack for the acclimatization hikes and climbs (25-35 L)

  • Comfortable, warm clothing (1st and 2nd layers)

  • Rain jacket and rain pants (3rd layer)

  • Winter hat and/or face mask

  • Thermal and waterproof gloves*

  • Liners and thermal socks (1st and 2nd layers)

  • Cap, sunglasses and sun screen

  • Hiking boots

  • Gaiters*

  • Headlamp* with extra batteries

  • Personal grooming kit

  • Sleeping bag*

  • Change of clothes and shoes

  • Bottles or thermos to refill water

*You can rent this items with us

 

RECOMMENDED

  • Trekking poles

  • Sport drinks

  • Extra thermal gloves

  • Dry bags to protect personal stuff

 

 

6 DAY CAYAMBE VOLCANO EXPEDITION
DAY ACTIVITY DISTANCE TIME FITNESS LEVEL SKILL LEVEL HIGHEST ELEVATION LOWEST ELEVATION ELEVATION GAIN
1 Cuicocha Lake 13 km / 8 mi 5 hrs easy novice 3.460 m / 11.350 ft 3.100 m / 10.170 ft 550 m / 1.800 ft
2 Imbabura Summit 8.5 km / 5.3 mi 8 hrs moderate begginer 4.540 m /14.900 ft 3.300 m / 10.830 ft 1.240 m / 4.070 ft
3 Corazon Summit 13.5 km / 8.4 mi 7 hrs moderate begginer 4.780 m / 15.682 ft 3.700 m / 12.140 ft 1.050 m / 3.445 ft
4 Illiniza Norte Summit 11 km / 6.8 mi 8 hrs intermediate intermediate 5.126 m / 16.818 ft 3.900 m / 12.800 ft 1.250 m / 4.100 ft
5 Cayambe Glacier School 1 km / 0.6 km 5 hrs moderate intermediate 5.000 m / 16.400 ft 4.600 m / 15.090 ft 400 m / 1.300 ft
6 Cayambe Summit 8.5 km / 5.3 mi 10 hrs dificult intermediate 5.790 m / 19.000 ft 4.700 m / 15.400 ft 1.200 m / 3.940 ft
TOTAL
  55 km / 34 mi 43 hrs dificult intermediate 5.790 m / 19.000 ft 3.100 m / 10.170 ft 5.690 m / 18.670 ft

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Before contracting services with TATOO EXPEDITIONS, please read our terms and conditions carefully:

CONTRACTING AND CANCELLATION POLICIES

DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION REQUIRED

When contracting a trip with TATOO EXPEDITIONS the following participant information and documentation is required:

REGISTRATION FORM:

After confirming the payment of the contracted services, you will receive an email with a link for the tour participant to complete the registration form. The registration form contains the participant’s personal, medical and emergency information, which must be filled out in order to participate in the tour with TATOO EXPEDITIONS.

If you want to save the registration form information for future events, you can register and create an account with TATOO EXPEDITIONS, otherwise you can do the whole process as a guest, but you must fill out the form with your data every time. If you created an account when paying for the services of TATOO EXPEDITIONS, enter it to fill out the registration form and register your data.

UNDERSTANDING OF RISK AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY

Together with the registration form you must read and accept the Understanding of Risk and Release of Liability document, which must be signed at the beginning of the tour.

PAYMENTS, RESERVATIONS AND CONFIRMATIONS

TOUR WITH FIXED DATES, PRIVATE TOURS OR CUSTOM TOURS

RESERVATIONS


A tour with a fixed date, private tour or custom tour can be booked up to 61 days before the start date of the tour with an advance payment of 50% of the total value quoted.

CONFIRMATIONS

To confirm a reservation for a tour with a fixed date, private tour or custom tour, the balance of 50% must be paid up to 60 days prior to the tour’s start date.

In case of contracting a tour with a fixed date, private tour or custom tour within 60 days prior to the start date of the same, 100% of the quoted value must be paid.

LAST MINUTE TOUR

A last-minute tour cannot be reserved, 100% of the quoted value must be paid.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:

POLICY FOR CANCELLATION BY THE CUSTOMER

TOUR WITH FIXED DATES, PRIVATE TOURS OR CUSTOM TOURS

Any cancellation must be notified via email to info@tatooexpeditions.com. In case the client cancels the tour, a penalty of the tour price will be charged based on the following policies:

PENALTIES

A penalty will be charged if the tour has been canceled within:

  • 90 days or more: 15% of the total tour value
  • From 60 days to 89 days: 50% of the total tour value
  • From 30 days to 59 days: 75% of the total tour value
  • 30 days or less: 100% of the total tour value

LAST MINUTE TOUR

Any cancellation of a last-minute tour must be notified via email to info@tatooexpeditions.com. There is no return or exchange with other departures for cancellations of a last-minute tour.

TATOO EXPEDITIONS CANCELLATION POLICY:

All departures require a minimum of registrants to undertake the same, in case of not meeting the minimum or in case of cancellation due to force majeure by Tatoo Expeditions, the registration fees may be returned as a credit for future events or by bank transfer of according to what the client requests.

The tour will be reimbursed only and as long as TATOO EXPEDITIONS cancel the tour before its start due to unusual problems or external factors such as: adverse weather conditions, natural catastrophes, strikes, civil disorders, government restrictions or regulations, war, quarantine or others.

TATOO EXPEDITIONS acts directly as a Tour Operator and is responsible for the quality of the services that correspond to the logistics of the tour. However, there are third-party services that TATOO EXPEDITIONS contracts. From a wide range of tourist services, we have chosen the best quality and professional services, however, our responsibility is limited to the terms of the land transport companies, accommodation and food contracts.

TATOO EXPEDITIONS is not responsible for delays, inconveniences, accident expenses or mishaps of any kind, as a result of the total or partial negligence of third parties or causes beyond our control. All these expenses and losses must be borne by the passenger. We recommend that travelers obtain travel and personal insurance to cover these possible mishaps.

PARTIAL CHANGES OF ITINERARY AND CANCELLATION:

For TATOO EXPEDITIONS, safety and health are a priority in our programs. If the conditions of the climate, terrain, roads or other external factors that are under our control jeopardize the normal development of the planned activities, or if the clients are not in good health, physical or technical training; the guides and the agency reserve the right to modify the itinerary at any time in order to protect the integrity of the passengers. Likewise, the right is reserved, to replace the accommodation or means of transport and make changes to the itinerary when deemed necessary.

SURCHARGES

  • All of our multi-day tours include accommodations in double rooms, in case of requesting a single room a 30% surcharge will be made to the value of the tour.
  • Our guides are bilingual (Spanish and English), in case of requesting guides that speak German, Italian or French a 20% surcharge will be made to the value of the tour.

 

 

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