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Day 1 (June 23)- Arrive Quito
Day 2 – Leisurely tour of downtown Quito
and orphanage. For those who have brought items for the orphans,
there will be a time to present those gifts.
Day 3 – Leave hotel at 8:45. From downtown
Quito, we will take the scenic cable car to an elevation of about
11,000 ft. where we will have incredible views of Quito and the
surrounding mountains. From this point, we will make our first acclimatization
hike- Mt. Ruco Pichincha, elevation 15,300 ft. Incredible views
of the city the entire time.
Day 4 – We will be transported in a van
to the Indian city of Otavalo, about two hours north of Quito. For
centuries, this town has been a central trading place of Indians
from the high country, the pacific coast, and the Amazon basin.
After a chance to shop at the market, we will take a leisurely stroll
around Lake Cuichoa.
Day 5 – We take our second acclimatization
climb, Mt. Ruminahui. At 15,455 ft., we will have incredible views
of the snow-capped volcanos to the south of Quito, including Cotopaxi.
It is a long haul- about seven hours- but will be a great preparation
for Cotopaxi.
Day 6 – Day of rest at the eco-tourism center
of Tambopaxi. At the foot of Cotopaxi in the Cotopaxi National Park,
Tambopaxi is an ideal place to recover while your body continues
to acclimatize. Lots of activities are available, from horse back
riding, to mountain bike riding, to short hikes, and to visits to
tiny surrounding Andean villages.
Day 7 – We will leave for the Cotopaxi refuge
mid-morning, in time to arrive for a glacier climbing school near
the refuge at 15,000 ft. After a practice session in crampons and
arresting gear, we will prepare for dinner and an early turn-in
(about 7 p.m.) at the refuge.
Day 8- Summit day! After an early alpine start
(about 12:30 a.m.), we summit Cotopaxi, 19,347 ft., at approximately
8 a.m. After a photo session and short time to take in the views,
we descend back to the refuge. We arrive in Quito at approximately
4:30 p.m. and have a celebratory dinner later that evening.
Day 9 (July 1) – Return to U.S.
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