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Cayambe & Cotopaxi Ascent
(8 days, 7 nights )
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This 8 day tour is the perfect combination of acclimatization with the glacier school at Mount Cayambe, along with ascents of two fabulous mountains.

Day 1. Quito - Otavalo
After breakfast, we will travel to Otavalo town to visit its colourful and famous Indian market. Overnight at Ali Shungu hotel.

Day 2.  Otavalo - Cuicocha - La Esperanza
We will leave Otavalo in the morning and drive to the Lagoon of Cuicocha, where ww wi'll do some acclimatization hiking (approximately 4 and a half hours). Lunch at the lagoon before continuing to "La Esperanza", a picturesque mountain hostelry at the foot of the Imababura. Accommodation and dinner.

Day 3.  La Esperanza - Imbabura Summit  4630m - Otavalo
We will start our hike at about 7 am and after a climb of 5 hours along the ridge we will reach the summit of Imbabura. Descending will take us another 4 hours. Return to Otavalo.

Day 4.  Otavalo - Cayambe Mountain Refuge
We will leave Otavalo in the morning and head north until we reach the village Cayambe, from where we will go on to the Ruales-Oleas-Berge Refuge (4600m). The rest of the day we will spend relaxing and preparing the equipment for the ascent.

Day 5.  Refuge - Summit - Quito
We will wake around midnight for the 7 hour climb along the Cayambe Glacier before reaching the summit. The descent will take another 4 hours. Return to Quito by the evening.

Day 6.  Free day in Quito
This day we will have to relax before starting the next ascent.

Day 7.  Quito - Cotopaxi José Ribas Mountain Refuge
We will leave Quito in the morning and head south through the valley of the volcanoes to the Cotopaxi National Park. We will start our one hour hike before reaching the Jose Rivas refuge (4800 m). After doing some ice climbing techniques and exercises on the glacier, we will have dinner and prepare for the ascent.

Day 8.  Refuge - Cotopaxi Summit (5897m) - Quito
Wake up at midnight for the 7 hour climb through the glacier before reaching the summit. After the descent we, will rest for a while in the refuge before returning to Quito.