Ecuador is a country that straddles the equator on the west coast of South America. Its diverse landscapes include the Amazon jungle, the Andean highlands and the Galapagos Islands with abundant fauna. On the slopes of the Andes, at an elevation of 2,850 m, Quito, its capital, is famous for its long-untouched Spanish colonial centre, with ornate 16th and 17th-century palaces and religious sites, such as the ornate Church of the Company of Jesus.
Peru Expeditions is thrilled to be offering the Ring of Fire Ski Expedition. Our high altitude guides are also big mountain ski mountaineers. The combination of their expertise and high-end logistics that have been a priority of Peru Expeditions for over a decade, has us uniquely positioned as the first guide service to offer international, high altitude ski expeditions. We created this programme as a perfect segue for backcountry skiers looking to gain the skills that will enable them to ski higher and more technical mountains.
Activity location
Quito
Quito, Ecuador
Meeting/Redemption Point
Quito
Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
Check availability
16 Day Ski Tour in Cayambe, Cotopaxi , and Chimborazo
Activity duration is 16 days16d
16d
English
Starting time: 08:00
Price details
€2,484.49 x 1 Adult€2,484.49
Total
Price is €2,484.49€2,484.49
includes taxes & fees
Until Wed, 28 Jan
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What's included, what's not
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Pick up at the airport in Quito to the Hotel
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Transport as tour schedule / Quito
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Cooks and helpers
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All meals during the tour
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Entrance/enter fees to the National Park
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Camping tents (2 persons) The North Face V25
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Transfer from the Hotel to the airport and bus station
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Acclimatisation Tour as programme
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Hotel nights as the whole programme
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Ecuatorian qualified and experienced local guide/s
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Travel accident and health insurance (We recomended to global rescue)
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Meals in restaurants in Cities the whole programme
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Personal expenses
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Personal equipment (such as boots, ice axe, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat, Goretex, etc.)
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Tips for our local team
Know before you book
Not recommended for travellers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travellers
Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
Travellers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
Activity itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to capital of Quitocity in Ecuador - South America
1 stop
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Overnight
Hotel
Quito
3h
Arrive into Quito (9,500 feet/2,896 metres) in the evening. Our guides will pick you up and bring you to our hotel, a local family-run place close to excellent restaurants and the tourist centre of the city. (Saturday)
Day 2: Explore and Organise Quito city, meet local team and guides
1 stop
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight
Hotel
Quito
6h
Explore the colonial section of Quito. This historical city is famous for its beautiful churches, president’s palace, and ever-present views of the glaciated peaks that surround it. After touring for half the day, we spend the afternoon preparing for our acclimatisation climb on Pinchincha, practising fixed line techniques, and organising all our ski and climbing gear.
Day 3: Quito -Private transport Acclimatisation Hike - Trekking to Pinchincha’s 15,700-foot (4,785 metre) Summit, back to Quito
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Overnight
Hotel
Rucu Pichincha
8h
Admission ticket included
Our first acclimatisation hike. We ride the telepherique from the centre of the city to 14,000 feet (4,267 metres) on Rucu Pinchincha. Two hours of hiking brings us to the rock ridge, which we climb, conditions permitting to Pinchincha’s 15,700-foot (4,785 metre) summit. This climb is a proud peak on its own and it is also important acclimatisation for bigger peaks.
Day 4: Quito city -Private transport Acclimatisation Hike - Trekking to summit Fuya Fuya (4,263m/13,986ft), Drive to Otavalo
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Overnight
Hotel
Otavalo
9h
Leaving Quito behind, you head north towards the town of Otavalo and the ancient stratovolcano known as Mojanda. Towering above the lake that fills the old crater of Mojanda lies the craggy summit Fuya Fuya (4,263m/13,986ft). This marks another wildly beautiful acclimatisation hike on our path to the glaciated giants to come. Descending down to the famous textile town of Otavalo, you will be treated to historic luxury at the 18th century Hacienda Pinsaqui.
Day 5: From Otavalo city - Drive to Cayambe and skills practice, stay on Refugio Cayambe
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
Accommodation: Overnight
Camping Refugio/Hut
Cayambe
9h
You are now ready to head to the bigger mountains. Driving east from Otavalo, you will wind up the lower flanks of the massive Cayambe (5,790m/18,996ft). The rugged stone edifice of the Refugio perched on the ridge will give you shelter and warmth during the days to come. After settling into our bunk rooms, you will spend the afternoon up on the glacier learning about the fundamentals of footwork, balance and other techniques needed to climb these big peaks. You’ll be welcomed back to the refugio with hot drinks and fantastic food prepared by the wonderful staff.
Day 6: From Refugio/Hut - Skills day on the Glacie with Local Ecuatorian Mountain Guides - Back to Refugio
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
Accommodation: Overnight
Camping on Refugio/Hut
Cayambe
10h
We spend the morning reviewing the skill set that we will need for climbing and skiing Cayambe. This day includes instruction on crevasse rescue, advanced glacier travel, and ski touring techniques. We spend the afternoon resting, hydrating, eating, and getting to bed early for the summit of Cayambe.
Day 7: Refugio/Hut - Climbing and Ski Tour Cayambe (5,790m/18,996ft) Summit day, return private transport drive to Otavalo city
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Overnight
Hotel
Cayambe
16h
Your training is ready for the test. After a midnight wake-up with hot drinks and snacks, you’ll climb rock steps onto vast glaciers. The crunch of crampons, the rope’s sway, and dawn breaking above the clouds define the ascent. Higher up, the glacier becomes more complex, requiring navigation around crevasses and drop-offs. At nearly 19,000 ft (5,790 m), Cayambe’s summit rewards you with stunning views of Cotopaxi, Antisana, and Chimborazo. The ski descent follows the climbing route, weaving through crevasses and sweeping glaciers. After the thrilling descent, you’ll return to Otavalo and the peaceful Hacienda Pinsaqui.
Day 8: Otavalo City – Private Transport, Local Market Stop & Afternoon Rest in Quito
1 stop
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight
Hotel
Quito
8h
After a casual morning and tasty breakfast we depart the Hacienda and head back to Quito. No visit to Otavalo is complete without a stop at the famed Saturday market. Otavalo is renowned for its colourful textiles, and the kaleidoscope of vivid colour at the Saturday market is the place to see them. You’ll see a vast number of different vendors selling everything from textiles and clothing to spices and other foods. This is a fantastic place to find a few keepsakes from your time in Ecuador. After you’ve seen the sights and sounds of the market, it’s time to return to Quito and your flight home. For those staying on for the extension, the fun is only getting started!
Day 9: From City Quito - Private transport drive to Cotopaxi, Base Camp on Refugio Hut
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
Accommodation: Overnight
Lodge local hosting
Cotopaxi National Park
8h
Admission ticket included
Any remaining Cayambe-only team members depart Quito for home. After breakfast, climbers staying on for the extension head up to the flanks of Cotopaxi and prepare for their climb in the coming days.
Day 10: Today we stay in a Lodge on the base of Cotopaxi and we are doing Skills day with Local Mountain Guides & back to Lodge
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
Accommodation: Overnight
Lodge
Cotopaxi National Park
9h
Admission ticket included
Waking up in the beautiful Tambopaxi lodge, you’ll be treated to incredible views of Cotopaxi rising across the valley. Today you’ll hike up the flanks of Cotopaxi and receive training in more advanced climbing and rescue techniques and ideas. Returning for an early dinner and warm bed, it’s time to climb the second big peak of the trip.
Day 11: From Refugio/Lodge - Summit Day to Volcanoe Cotopaxi 5,897 m - Back to Hacienda Lodge
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Overnight
Hotel / Lodge
Cotopaxi National Park
18h
Admission ticket included
Waking up around 1am, you’ll have some hot drinks and snacks and set out for the summit of Cotopaxi. This climb will use all the skills you learned on Cayambe as we travel on snow and ice up to the rim of the volcano. The final section of climbing will be the most difficult before you are rewarded with a stunning summit. Like Cayambe, the ski descent typically follows the ascent route. After the massive ski descent you’ll find yourself driving to the beautiful Hacienda La Cienega.
Day 12: From Hacienda Lodge - Drive to Chimborazo Base Camp Refugio/Hut
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
Accommodation: Overnight
Refugio
Mount Chimborazo
8h
Admission ticket included
After a morning of breakfast at Hacienda La Cienega, we drive south to a wilderness lodge below Chimborazo called the Chimborazo Lodge. The lodge is owned by one of Ecuador’s original mountain guides – his stories, home, and excellent food will prepare us for our final climb.
Day 13: Refugio/Hut - Trekking to Move to High Camp, overnigh on Domos or Tents
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
Accommodation: Overnight
Camping/domos or tents
Chimborazo Province
8h
Today we’ll move to the El Castillo camp at the base of Chimborazo’s glacier, 2 hours hike from the car. This camp is perched high on the mountain, and gets its name from “El Castillo”, the castle-like rock formation adjacent to the camp. From camp, you will see the glaciated route to the summit rise up in front of you, giving the team plenty of time to scout a good ski descent for the next day.
Day 14: High Camp - Summit Day to Volcanoe Chimborazo 6,263 m - Ski tour and drive private car and back to Quito
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Overnight
Hotel
Quito
18h
Your final, and most challenging, climb. The route quickly climbs the glacier, on which the ice is often broken by many crevasses as well as almost vertical ice steps. Eventually you will reach the Castillo ridge and follow it over moderate ground to the summit. After taking photos and enjoying the views from the tallest point in Ecuador, it’s time to click into your skis for the highest ski descent in the country. Evening finds the team back in Quito for a final celebration dinner.
Day 15: In case of bad weather we have an extra day for Climbing Vocanoe Chimborazo
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
Accommodation: Overnight
Domos or tents camping
Chimborazo Province
18h
We’ve built in an extra day for weather etc.
Day 16: From Quito private transport to airport - Back to Head home
1 stop
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Not included
Quito
3h
Fly home from Quito. After a great time with you, we ending our services in Quito Ecuador.
Location
Activity location
LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
Quito
Quito, Ecuador
Meeting/Redemption Point
PEOPLEPEOPLE
Quito
Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
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