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M16 ANDES EXCURSION I This climbing expedition is put together for climbers, who like to do a challenging program in the Andes. We start out first in Ecuador by trekking and climbing Sangay, an active volcano located in a remote area of the country. This 4-day trek is ideal for getting well acclimatized as we spend most time between 3000m and 4000m. After Sangay follows Cotopaxi, an ice-covered perfect volcanic cone of 5890m. We leave then Ecuador and spend the rest of the excursion in Argentina to climb Aconcagua, at 6960m the highest peak on the American continent. M17 : 28 days / 27 nights Day 1 Arrival in Quito and transfer to our B&B Parque Italia. Day 2 Free day in Quito, which can be used for sightseeing. Day 3 We start our excursion in earnest by going to the starting point of the Sangay trek. First we drive to Riobamba, where we arrive after 3 and 1/2 hours and stop for lunch. From there on, we continue on a secondary road to Guargualla, a small agricultural community located at 3200m and our start of the trek. This stretch of the drive takes another 2 hours time and we spend our first night there in a hut. Day 4 On the first day we begin hiking early in the morning because we need 8 to 9 hours to reach our first night site, a straw thatched shelter, which is located on a high plateau called Plaza Pampa. To get there, we have to hike the first 5 hours up the Guargalla valley to reach the pass, called Escaleras at 3900m. Reaching the pass gives us our first views of Sangay, assuming of course rare good weather and which stays then in sight for most of the remaining 4 hours of hike. The hike of our first day is mostly on good mountain trails with some crossing of smaller rivers Day 5 The next morning we continue our trek towards the foot of the volcano, to our base camp, called Campamento Playas. The trails change from dry to muddy and the area from the higher paramo grounds to more forested areas. Right in the beginning we also have to crisscross the river, named Rio Negro, several times and therefore rubber boots are a must for this second day of our trek. We reach our camp site in around 5 hours and spend the afternoon resting for the intended midnight climb Day 6 If the volcanic activity of Sangay are low, we start out at midnight and reach the summit in approximately 7 hours. The climb is not technically difficult but the volcano is steep sided and frozen at night. If there is snow cover we also have to use crampons and ice axes. Another risk are flying stones ejected with a great force from the crater and loose rocks, falling from the flanks. Therefore head protection is a must for the climb and we need of course a headlamp. The descent back to base camp takes another 3 hours and we should be there again for lunch. After that we pack up and hike back to Plaza Pampa. Day 7 In the morning we start our walk back towards Guargualla, which we should reach late afternoon. After a quick lunch we begin our drive back to Quito, where we arrive later in the evening around 10 pm. Day 8 Today we put in an easy day with some sightseeing of Quito and surrounding areas like Mitad del Mundo and Inca ruins of Rumicucho. Day 9 At 9 a.m. we head from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park where we arrive at the Northern entrance at noon and we have a cold lunch. Afterwards we continue on to the car park and embark on a 45-minute hike up to the refuge. At 6 p.m. dinner is served and then everyone heads upstairs for a pre-climbing rest/sleep. Day 10 After an early midnight breakfast we begin our climb of Cotopaxi at around one am at night. After a 1-hour hike on gravel and rocks to the glacier, we put on our ice-climbing gear and get ready for a 5-hour hike on ice to the top. Reaching the peak at dawn, we admire the grand views it offers and head then back down to the refuge. After a short rest we pack up and move back to Quito, where we spend the next night. Day 11 We put in a rest day in Quito and get organized for our flight next day. Day 12 Flight to Santiago de Chile. Day 13 In the morning we leave by public long-distance bus for Mendoza in Argentina, where we have to get our climbing permits and last chance of food supply and equipment. Day 14 In the morning we drive up to Puente Inca and arrive there at noon and first we leave our equipment at our mule providers. We spend the night there in a hostel. Day 15 We start early morning and hike all the way from the Ranger Staion Horcones to Plaza de Mulas. This hike along the Upper Horcones River takes about 10 hours and is demanding as the base camp site is located at 4300m. Day 16 Today we put in a rest day. You may on your own explore the surrounding area by visiting a hotel, which is located across the valley or a glacier coming down from the Mt. Cuerno peak. Day 17 After breakfast we start to prepare our final assault on the mountain by carrying part of our equipment and food provisions up to our second camp, located at Nido de Condores at 5300m. The hike up there is steep and demanding and will take 4-5 hours. After storing our things there, we return back to Plaza de Mulas. Day 18 Another free day to rest and to do things on your own. Day 19 We move now the rest of our equipment and ourselves up to Nido de Condores, from where we try to climb the peak. The afternoon is spent on this high plateau, which offers beautiful views to the Andes range to the west and south. Weather permitting, spectacular sunsets can be observed from there. Day 20 By daybreak we undertake a hike up to Independencia at 6000m and get to know part of the route passing Camp Berlin. The hike up and back will take 5-6 hours. Afternoon we rest and get ready for next day's climb to the top. Day 21 At 5 a.m. we get up and after a quick breakfast we attempt our first ascent to the peak. The climb to the peak may take from 7 to 10 hours depending on your condition and the climate. After spending some time on the roof of the Andes and admiring the great all-around views, we return to Nido de Condores, which should take between 3-4 hours. Time permitting we might move down to our base camp at Plaza de Mulas. Day 22 If we did not reach the top we put in a rest day at Nido de Condor. Day 23 We try again to reach the top, see Day 21. Day 24 We start our walk out of Aconcagua Provincial Park, leaving Plaza de Mulas and hiking straight to Horcones Ranger station, where we arrive after 9-10 hours. The night we spend in Puente Inca. Day 25 We drive back by public bus from Puente del Inca to Santiago de Chile. Day 26 Free day in the Chilean capital to do some sightseeing and shopping. Day 27 Flight back to Quito. Day 28 Transfer to airport and flight back to your country.
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