Pre-Trip Planning

~2 Months Prior – Pre-Trip Zoom Meeting: Around two months out, we will host a group Zoom meeting to review gear checklists, logistics, and our big-picture strategy for the climb. The planning and strategy phases are among the most important determinants of a successful summit, and we want everyone to have input.

1 Week Prior – Last-Minute Zoom Meeting (Optional): An open opportunity to jump on a call and go over any last-minute questions before you fly out.

Phase 1: Arrival & Otavalo Acclimatization

Day 1: Arrive in Quito

When you land in Quito, a private taxi or bus will be waiting to take you directly to our hotel in town (we often stay at the beautiful San José de Puembo). Our sleeping elevation tonight is 9,200 feet. Nothing is planned for today other than a group dinner at the hotel once everyone arrives. If you plan to get into town early, just let us know; we can easily add an extra night to your stay, or you can check in at your own convenience.

Day 2: Acclimatization Climb – Rucu Pichincha

From Quito, it’s incredibly easy to hop on the city’s cable car and head straight up to 12,000 feet. From the top station, we will complete a fun acclimatization scramble up to 14,000 feet on Rucu Pichincha. Afterward, we will descend, drive straight up toward Cayambe, and check into the historic Hacienda Pinsaquí in the town of Otavalo. Renowned for its local craftsmen and famous llama-wool textile market, Otavalo is well worth spending an afternoon exploring.

Day 3: Acclimatization on Fuya Fuya

Today features a scenic 3-to-4-hour climb up to 14,000 feet on Fuya Fuya, located just outside of Otavalo. This peak gives our bodies a fantastic dose of altitude while still leaving plenty of afternoon downtime to rest, relax, and check out the vibrant local culture in town. We will stay in Otavalo again tonight.

Day 4: Additional Acclimatization

To ensure everyone is fully prepared for the higher peaks, we will dedicate today to an additional acclimatization hike. This can take place either near Quito early on or around the mountain valleys of Otavalo, depending entirely on the team’s energy levels and preferences.

Phase 2: Volcán Cayambe

Day 5: Acclimatization and Glacier Training on Cayambe

Today we take our very first steps on glacier ice. We will drive up to the trailhead at the Refugio Ruales-Oleas-Berge and hike onto the lower glacier to continue our altitude adjustment and review essential glacier travel techniques for the summit climb. This training session often takes us up to roughly 16,000 feet. Tonight, we will sleep in the shadow of the mountain at the cozy Yanacocha Lodge.

Day 6: Rest and Move Up to the Refugio

We will take it easy and rest our legs throughout the morning. In the afternoon, we will pack up and move up to the Refugio Ruales-Oleas-Berge. This will mark our very first night sleeping at a high altitude of 15,000 feet.

Day 7: Summit Cayambe

Following an alpine wake-up call and a 1:00 AM start, we will embark on a 4,000-foot glacier climb through breathtaking terrain to the summit of Cayambe. After celebrating at the top and descending back to the trailhead, we will hop on our private bus and head straight to Papallacta—a magical, volcanic hot spring valley resting in the shadow of Antisana.

Phase 3: Volcán Antisana

Day 8: Rest Day at Papallacta

Today is a fully dedicated rest and recovery day in Papallacta. In addition to soaking in the natural hot springs, there are beautiful, casual trail hikes to explore, as well as an eclectic local village to visit. We will also have bicycles available if you want to stretch your legs and go for a casual ride.

Day 9: Move to Antisana Basecamp

We will head out early and drive deep into the pristine wilderness of the national park. As we approach basecamp, we will hike the final hour into camp on foot. To keep the area pristine, each expedition is only permitted one vehicle inside the park boundary, which will be ahead of us carrying our group gear. This is truly one of the most beautiful, untouched alpine environments in the world.

After settling into camp, we’ll take a quick afternoon hike up to the edge of the glacier to stretch our legs and scout the lower portion of our route. We will return to camp early for a delicious dinner prepared by our local cook and camp manager. 

Day 10: Summit Antisana

With another midnight wake-up call and an early start, we will work our way up through 3,900 vertical feet of complex, heavily crevassed glaciation to the summit of Antisana. Once we descend back to basecamp, we will enjoy a fresh lunch, pack up camp, and head back to Quito on our private bus just in time for a celebratory final dinner.

Day 11: Quito / Flights Home

You can catch your flight home today if you need to return to reality, or choose to spend an extra day exploring the historic colonial architecture of Quito before flying out at your leisure. Our expedition officially concludes today.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What is included in the trip cost:

Group Climbing Gear: Ropes, snow pickets, and team safety equipment.

Group Camp Gear: High-altitude stoves, fuel, and expedition tents.

In-Country Logistics: All accommodations and group transportation within Ecuador, including hotels, mountain refugios, and private ground transport.

What is NOT included in the trip cost:

Meals: You will need to cover your own food costs throughout the trip (please note that only basecamp food while staying at Antisana is included).

Personal Gear: Your individual climbing layers, mountaineering boots, and sleeping gear.

Airfare: International flights to and from Quito.

The Fine Print: Deposits & Payment

Deposit and Payment Schedule

To secure your spot on this expedition, a $1,000 per person deposit is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance of the trip cost is due in full three months prior to your scheduled trip start date.

Total Program Cost

The total cost for this program ranges from $4,500 to $5,000 per person, depending entirely on the final number of participants on the roster.

Cancellations & Itinerary Changes

Guest Cancellations

If you cancel your reservation before the three-month balance due date, a full refund will be issued, minus any applicable processing fees. For custom or private trips, if one or more members of your group cancel, resulting in a smaller team and a lower guest-to-guide ratio, the remaining members agree to pay the adjusted, higher cost per person associated with that lower ratio.

If you cancel after the balance due date—or if you are prevented from participating after the balance due date due to exigent circumstances such as injury, illness, a family emergency, or travel delays—no refund will be given. Because of this strict policy, we strongly advise purchasing comprehensive trip insurance.

Cancellations or Changes by the Guide

All expeditions are subject to inherent mountain hazards including, but not limited to, inclement weather, avalanche hazards, route conditions, and individual fitness levels. We reserve the right to modify the location or itinerary of any trip as necessary to mitigate risk. No refunds will be issued for itinerary changes resulting from weather, mountain conditions, or circumstances affecting your group (such as fitness and technical ability).

In the unlikely event that we are forced to cancel a trip due to inadequate booking, guide cancellation, or any other internal reason, a full refund of the trip cost will be given. In such cases, please note that we are not responsible for personal expenses incurred in connection with the trip, including airfare, car rentals, or equipment purchases.

Trip & Rescue Insurance

We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive Trip Cancellation, Interruption, and Emergency Evacuation insurance policy. This protects your investment if you need to cancel after the balance due date, are prevented from participating due to unforeseen emergencies, or require an emergency evacuation in the field. Recommended providers include:

Global Rescue

Travel Guard

Travelex Insurance