CAYAMBE & ANTISANA full program

Altitude: 5790m / 18996 ft

Mountains to Climb: 4 (Pasochoa, Rucu Pichincha, Cayambe, Antisana)

Rest Days: 1

Duration: 7 days

Date: All Year

Este programa asciende al Cayambe y Antisana te permitirá vivir una experiencia completa para alcanzar las dos cumbres más emblemáticas del Ecuador. De la misma manera, conocerás y ascenderás otras montañas tales como el Pasochoa, Rucu Pichincha e Iliniza Norte, que se encuentran en la increíble avenida de los volcanes. Además, vamos a tener la disponibilidad de divertirnos e irnos a la laguna Quilotoa en nuestro día de descanso. Este programa te ofrece una experiencia completa para conocer la magia de nuestras montañas. Para todas las salidas de aclimatación y la cumbre del Cayambe y Antisana el equipo de Mauna Expeditions cuenta con los mejores guías certificados de montaña ASEGUIM/UIAGM, por lo que todo el tiempo estarán acompañados por guías profesionales altamente capacitados. Su seguridad es nuestra prioridad en todo momento. Además, contamos con equipo de montaña completamente nuevo, por lo que todo el tiempo les proveeremos del mejor equipo con el objetivo de brindarles siempre la mayor seguridad posible.

Mauna Expeditions esta abierto a escuchar cambios en el itinerario o programa con el objetivo de adaptarnos a las necesidades y preferencias de nuestros clientes.

DAY 1: Pasochoa’s Summit Climb

Altitude: 4200m/13779ft

We will pick you up from your hotel or place of your choice at 06h00 where we will have a one and a half hour trip until we reach the Pasochoa’s hydroelectric, point where we will begin our hike. We will give some brief safety instructions and after approximately 4 hours we will reach the summit of Pasochoa volcano where we will enjoy the amazing landscapes that surround us and we will see the neighboring giant volcanoes such as Cotopaxi, Antisana, Ilinizas and many more. The descent will take us approximately two and a half hours to our vehicle. The return trip takes an hour and a half, so we will make a stop to get lunch before leaving you again at the starting point at your hotel or place of your choice.

DAY 2: Rucu Pichincha’s Summit Climb

Altura: 4696m/15406ft

We will pick you up from the hotel or place of your choice at 07h30 where we will have a 20 minute trip in our private transport until we reach the Quito’s Cable Car. We will go up through the cabins to 4000m where we will begin our climb. We will give some brief safety instructions before starting and after approximately 3 hours, after crossing some beautiful grasslands and climbing a bit on the rock we will reach the summit of Rucu Pichincha where we will enjoy approximately 30 minutes depending on the weather conditions and we will see the giants neighboring volcanoes such as Cotopaxi, Antisana, Ilinizas and many more. The descent will take us approximately an hour and a half to the cable car to descend again to our return transport. The return journey will take us approximately 20 minutes, but before that, we will stop for lunch and then drop you back at the starting point at your hotel or place of choice.

DAY 3: Arrival to the Ruales Oleas Berge Refuge

Altitude: 4650m/15255ft

We will pick you up from your hotel or place of preference at 10h00 in our private transport. We will have a trip of an hour and a half until we reach the city of Cayambe where we will have our lunch. After 1 more hour in our transport we will arrive to the Cayambe – Coca National Park where we will make the registration. We will travel another hour from the entrance to the park on a road with incredible landscapes until we arrive to the Ruales Oleas Berge refuge around 14h30 where we will accommodate ourselves in our resting places and proceed to give some short security instructions just before dinner. We will have a delicious dinner around 17h00 and after that we will prepare our things and equipment for the ascent. We will sleep from 18h00 to approximately 23h00. We will wake up before midnight to finish dressing, drink some tea and eat something light before starting our climb to the summit.

DAY 4: Cayambe’s Summit Climb

Altitude: 5790m/18996ft

Our ascent begins at 00h30 where a hike of approximately 6 hours to the summit awaits us, crossing through huge cracks and seracs. Around 06h30 just with dawn, we will reach the summit of this majestic volcano where we can appreciate its incredible glaciers and neighboring volcanoes such as the Antisana, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Imbabura and many more. After approximately 30 minutes at the summit, depending on the weather conditions, we will begin the descent that will take us about 3 hours. We will arrive again at the refuge where we will have a delicious breakfast and we will prepare our things to start our return to the city of Quito in our private transport where we will finally leave you at your hotel or place of preference.

DAY 5: Rest day, Quilotoa Full Day Tour

Altitude: 4000m/13123ft

We will pick you up from your hotel or place of your choice at 06h00 where we will have a trip of approximately 3 hours until we reach our first stop, which will be the Shalalá viewpoint, where we can widely observe the Quilotoa lagoon and take several photographs. We will give some brief safety instructions and we will enjoy our rest day the best way possible, in which we will be able to walk around and go to the different viewpoints of the lagoon. This day is totally dedicated to enjoy, learn and above all rest from our days in the mountains. We will have the option to go down to the base of the lagoon (45 minutes way down, 1 hour to go up again) where we can enjoy some activities like kayaking and many more. Next, we will get lunch and finally we will return in our transport to our starting point at your hotel or place of preference.

DAY 6: Arrival to Antisana’s Base Camp

Altitude: 4500m/14763ft

We will pick you up from the hotel of your choice at 10h00 in our private transport. We will have a trip of an hour and a half until we reach Pintag where we will have our lunch. After another 45 minutes we will arrive at the Antisana Ecological Reserve where we will make the registration and after another hour on a 4×4 road with amazing landscapes, we will arrive at the camping area where we will set up our camp and give some brief safety instructions just before for dinner. We will have a delicious dinner around 17h00 and then we will prepare our things for the ascent. We will sleep from 18h30 to approximately 23h30. We will get up before midnight to finish getting dressed, have some tea and start our climb to the summit.

DAY 7: Antisana’s Summit Climb

Altitude: 5704m/18713ft

Our ascent begins at 00h30 where a walk of approximately 6 hours awaits us to the summit. Around 06h30, just with sunrise, we will be reaching the summit of this majestic volcano where we will be able to appreciate its incredible landscapes and neighboring volcanoes such as Cayambe, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Sincholagua and many more. After approximately 30 minutes at the summit, depending on the weather conditions, we will begin the descent that will take us about 3 hours. We will arrive at the base camp again where we will have a delicious breakfast and then we will prepare our things to start our return to the city of Quito in our private transport where we will finally leave you at your hotel or place of your chocie.

MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT (INCLUDED):

• Helmet.
• Harness.
• Mountaineering Boots.
• Crampons.
• Ice Axe.
• Shared Equipment (rope, carabiners, cord). 

CLOTHING REQUIRED (NOT INCLUDED): 

Three layers of clothing for the legs and torso:
• Base layer: Thermal clothing for body and pants (usually made of synthetic material).
• Second layer: Warm jacket and pants, preferably water repellent (goose down, fleece or polar type).
• Third layer: Waterproof jacket and pants.
• An extra thermal or jacket (in case of extreme cold).
• Backpack between 25L and 35L.
• Thin and thick gloves.
• Factor 4 sunglasses (with UV protection) and sunscreen.
• Buff or thermal hat.
• Thin and thick socks.
• Gaiters.  

In case you do not have something from the list of personal clothing, Mauna Expeditions can provide you with the rental or sale of said accessories.

The services included in the cost of the program are:

✓ Registration and preparation for the best experience of your life.
✓ Guidance for the ascent with certified guides (ASEGUIM/UIAGM), one guide for every 2 people.
✓ Private door-to-door transportation for the 2 days of tour.
✓ Entry Permits. 
✓ Adventure video about the experience in the program.
✓ Mountain equipment (specified above).
✓ Night at the Cayambe’s Refuge and Antisana’s Camp with all meals included.
✓ Thermo of Mauna Expeditions.
✓ Buff of Mauna Expeditions.
✓ Lunch Box and hydration for the ascent.

The following services are NOT included in the cost of the program:

X Clothing and personal equipment.
X Airplane tickets.
X Hotel or hostel in Quito or place of preference.
X Life insurance or against some type of accident.
X Other expenses NOT specified in our program.
X Tips.

1 person: CONTACT US.
2 people: CONTACT US.
3-5 people: CONTACT US.
6-10 people: CONTACT US.
11-24 people: CONTACT US.

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION OF THE PROGRAM

To book the tour, Mauna Expeditions requires a payment of 25% of the cost of the program. Full payment must be made up to a maximum of two weeks before the start date of the tour. We do not send vouchers or confirmation messages until full payment for the program is made. Our team reserves the right to cancel the tour if the full payment is not made until the start date of the program.

The Mauna Expeditions team has put a lot of effort into organizing your program. Therefore, any cancellation must be made at least 21 days in advance. After 21 days, Mauna Expeditions may make a 50% refund depending on the cause of cancellation. Any cancellation notified less than 21 days from the start date of the program will be charged a penalty of 100% of the value of the program.

COSTS

Costs vary depending on the size of the group. A minimum of 1 person and a maximum of 24 people are required to make the ascent. For costs information please CONTACT US.

RECOMENDATIONS

Mountaineering is a high-risk sport, where we are exposed to conditions on extreme occasions. We do not recommend doing this activity for people with asthma or some kind of heart condition. The level of difficulty of the program is demanding and there is nothing that interests us more than your safety and that you enjoy our program without any external problem.