This tour can be organised from either The Secret Garden Cotopaxi or The Secret Garden Quito. However, we recommend staying at The Secret Garden Cotopaxi, as it’s a much better location for acclimatisation! The hostel is located at 3,500 metres, 700 metres higher than Quito, which means you sleep high up and better prepare your body for high altitude trekking. There are also many hiking options, perfect for training for the higher peaks! Furthermore, this tour can be done in either one or two days. The 1-day option is better-suited for those wishing to attempt a greater-than-5,000-metre peak without more ambitious plans. The 2-day option includes staying at the Illinizas refuge for one night, and is more suitable for those training for one of the glaciated peaks, as they end up spending more time at even higher altitude and acclimatise even better. The 2-day option is also suitable for those who have not hiked above 5,000 metres before and prefer to do it a bit more gradually.
Day1: Machachi – Nuevos Horizontes Hut (15,580ft/4,750m)
We will leave from Machachi in the morning and drive through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until we get to the village of “El Chaupi”. We will continue driving until we get to “La Virgen parking lot” (12,795ft/3,900m). Once there, we will start a 3-hour hike up to the “Nuevos Horizontes Refuge” (15,580ft/4,750m). We will relax for the rest of the afternoon. Dinner will be served by late afternoon. (-/-/D)
Day 2: Illiniza Norte Summit (16,818ft/5,126m) – Machachi
Our climbing day starts at 5am. We will have a light breakfast, pack our climbing equipment and leave the refuge an hour later. We will continue hiking up towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then to the Illiniza Norte summit (16,818ft/5,126 m). The approach to the top involves an easy 3-hour scrambling. Once at the summit, we will enjoy and admire the beautiful surroundings. After that, we will descend to La Virgen parking lot from the other side and drive back to Machachi. (B/-/-)
(Times are approximate)
Day 1
9.30am Depart from The Secret Garden Cotopaxi
10.30am Arrive in Machachi. Equipment check.
11am Depart from Machachi to “La Virgen parking lot”
12.30pm Arrive at “La Virgen parking lot”. Start hike to the “Nuevos Horizontes Hut”.
3.30pm Arrive at “Nuevos Horizontes Hut”
6pm Light dinner and rest
Day 2
4.30am Wake up, light breakfast and get ready
5.30am Start ascent
8.30am Arrive at the summit
9am Start descent to “La Virgen parking lot”
12pm Arrive at “La Virgen parking lot” and depart to Machachi
1.30pm Arrive in Machachi
Price per person:
1 pax: $420.00
2 paxs: $275.00
3 paxs: $295.00
