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Climbing in Ecuador: Cotopaxi Express

Climbing/Mountaineering in Ecuador with Southwest Adventure Guides, LLC

Highlights

  • 9 day itinerary great for those who want to minimize time out of country
  • Bi-lingual guides ensure your trip runs smoothly
  • Most favorable client-to-guide ratio in the industry
  • Optional city tour of Old Quito, including historical sites
  • Climb Cotopaxi, the worlds highest active volcano
  • Satellite phone access and pulse oximeters on all trips

Full Description

Ecuador is one of the world's most varied countries. From the Pacific, the land rises to the high central region - "The Avenue of the Volcanoes" - before dramatically dropping off into the Amazon Basin.

The Cotopaxi Express Expedition was designed for the time conscious traveler and adventurer in mind. This 19,348 foot peak is located in Cotopaxi National Park, an area rich with alpine lakes, pine forests, and abundant wildlife. Isolated high above the stark and desolate paramo landscape, Cotopaxi's striking cone-like symmetry is truly awe-inspiring. Beginning in Quito (9,500 ft.) we begin the process of acclimatization that is so important for success on the mountains of Ecuador. We visit many historical sites around Quito and the market town of Otovalo, and utilize the wonderful peaks of Pasochoa and Ruminahui to prepare for the ascent of Cotopaxi.

We begin the climb of Cotopaxi from the Jose Ribas hut (15,750 ft.) where we ascend a moraine to gain moderate glacier slopes to the summit. Along the way, however, complex crevasse patterns and snowbridge crossings over deep crevasses keep the climb interesting and provide impressive photo opportunities of amazing ice formations. After passing through a heavily crevassed area midway through the climb, we reach the final summit slope. Here a challenging section of 35-40 degree snow leads to the abrupt finish of the climb on the crater rim of the world's highest active volcano.

For those who would like to attempt to climb Ecuador's highest peak as well, we offer participants the opportunity to add the 3 day Chimborazo Extension to this trip, for a 12 day tour of Ecuador's two most striking peaks.

Includes:

  • An AMGA certified or trained alpine guide
  • All ground transportation
  • Hotels, tents, and food while on the mountain
  • All group climbing and camping equipment

Excludes:

  • Food and drinks in towns
  • Personal climbing and camping equipment
  • International air fare
  • Costs of a personal nature
  • Extra hotels or transportation due to illness, injury, or early return

Day by Day Itinerary

Sample Itinerary for the 9 Day Cotopaxi Express

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Quito arriving late evening.
Day 2: Spend today in Quito acclimating. Optional historic city tour of Old Quito.
Day 3: Pasochoa (13,400 ft) acclimatization hike. Hotel stay at La Estancia("The Station").
Day 4: Travel to Tambopaxi in Cotopaxi National Park.
Day 5: Travel by horseback to the base of Ruminahui (15,075 ft) and climb to the top!
Day 6: Travel to the Jose Ribas Hut (15,075 ft) and conduct glacier training seminar.
Day 7: Summit day on Cotopaxi. After summit, return to the valley and stay at La Cienega.
Day 8: Additional summit or return to Quito. Chimbo extension participants travel to Banos.
Day 9: Return home. Chimbo extension participants rest and relax in Banos.

Sample Itinerary for the 3-Day Chimborazo Extension

Day 1: Travel to the Whymper Hut.
Day 2: Summit day on Chimborazo. Return to Quito.
Day 3: Return home to the US.

About The Operator:

Southwest Adventure Guides, LLC

Headquarters:

Durango, CO

Established:

January 1989

Southwest Adventure Guides LLC (formerly Southwest Adventures) has been conducting domestic and international trips and courses since 1989. We are not a travel agent. We guide our own trips with our own staff and support networks. Our courses and trips run throughout the year. In the spring and summer months we conduct rock climbing, mountaineering, alpine climbing, backpacking, and mountain biking trips and courses in Southwest Colorado and Southeast Utah, as well as high altitude mountaineering expeditions and courses in Peru, Bolivia, and Alaska.

In the winter months we conduct avalanche courses, backcountry skiing, ice climbing, and winter mountaineering trips in Southwest Colorado, as well as international high altitude climbing and trekking expeditions in Mexico, Ecuador, and Argentina.

In the fall and spring we conduct rock climbing trips and courses in Moab/Castle Valley and Indian Creek, Utah, as well as alpine climbing and backcountry skiing trips and courses in the San Juan Mountains. We also offer custom trips and expeditions to places like the Ruth Gorge in Alaska.

All of our guides undergo extensive training and have many years experience in the discipline in which they work. Additionally, all of our Senior Guides are either American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Certified or Trained.

What sets Southwest Adventure Guides apart?

  • Experience: Over the years we have conducted thousands of trips of all shapes and sizes, involving a wide range of activities.
  • Small group sizes: Our trips usually have between two and six people plus one or two guides per trip. The trips are small and very personalized.
  • Guide Certification: Many of our guides are AMGA Certified, and all of our guides have participated in AMGA courses and trainings. This means you will experience the highest level of professional service and technically proficient guide.
  • Leadership: Our guides are experienced professionals that have developed highly effective teaching skills and have unparalleled training and experience. Our Senior Guides also speak the language in the countries in which we operate international expeditions, insuring that your trips runs as smoothly as possible.
  • Pre-trip support: You have access to a small and personal office staff who have actually "been there and done that".
  • Economy: If you're looking for a "tour bus" experience and five star hotels, you might want to look elsewhere. While we can arrange this type of experience for private groups, we believe that a "sanitized " experience isolates you from the culture, and from a rewarding experience.
  • References: We maintain a data base of previous and current clients who can provide references for Southwest Adventure Guides' trips and guides.
  • Strong Domestic Program: We are not an office in a large city, far from the mountains. Our office staff and guides live, train, and work in the mountains every day. We train international mountaineering clients weekly in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

What does all this mean?

What all this means to you is that your trip runs smoothly, with a high rate of success, no hassles, the highest possible safety margins and unsurpassed customer service. We know the places we run trips and love the job we do. It's that simple.

Whether you're looking to do a major high altitude climb, learn some new skills, or just have an enjoyable mountain adventure, Southwest Adventure Guides has the experience to pull it together for you.

Policies

Participants should have prior, basic mountaineering experience. They should be comfortable with self arrest, walking in crampons, and have basic roped climbing experience. If you do not possess these skills, or need review, we recommend doing a skills course with us in Colorado prior to your Peru trip.