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 M8 COMBO "A" This climbing excursion of ten days is put together for inexperienced climbers, who like to crown an ice-covered peak over 5000m for the first time ever or enjoy easier but rewarding climbs. Our main goal is the crowning of Cotopaxi and the whole program is put together for that. A proper acclimatization program and training sessions in the ice are included in this expedition to achieve that goal. This trip also offers a certain degree of comfort as the whole time we stay in small hostels where warmth and bedding are provided. M8 : 10 days / 9 nights Day 1 We leave Quito in the morning and head to the Pululahua crater to begin our acclimatization process with an easy 1 hour hike to the crater bottom and to our farm Finca Colibri, where we spend the first night. The crater and its adjacent nature reserve lies at a range of 2500m to 3000m and is therefore perfect for our first two days. In the afternoon we undertake a longer 2 hour hike, climbing Pondoņa, the lava dome in the middle of the crater. On this day also optional stops at Mitad del Mundo, the famous Equatorial Line Monument and the Inca ruins at Rumicucho can be incorporated. Day 2 Early in the morning we undertake an 6 hour hike which leads out of the crater and walking along its outer rim, again into it and to the farm. After lunch, you hike for one hour out of the crater to Ventanilla again, where the jeep awaits you. Afterwards we drive to Cuicocha, a volcanic crater lake, where we stay the next two nights at around 3200m altitude. On the way there you have the option of visiting the famous Indian market at Otavalo. Day 3 Today we hike around this beautiful crater lake. This excursion takes 5 to 6 hours and gives us great views into the water filled caldera and on good weather to nearby Cotacachi, a 4900m peak, Mojanda and the Imbabura mountains. Day 4 We leave Cuicocha and drive up towards Mojanda, an old eroded volcano with peaks of some 4200m. Arriving there we start our walk up to Fuya Fuya which we reach in 2 hours. After that short hike we drive back to Quito by way of Cayambe, where another equator line monument may be visited. Day 5 Today we move to Cotopaxi National Park, where we stay at a hostel at an altitude of 3800m. The afternoon is spent with short hiking around this wonderful high paramo region with its great scenery and rich fauna and flora. Day 6 At dawn we get up and start our climb of Ruminahui, a 4700m high peak. The whole climb from base camp to the top and back lasts 9-10 hours and prepares us well for the Cotopaxi climb. Day 7 Today is practice time in the glacier. We drive up to 4600m and leave there our transport. From there we climb up to the edge of the glacier at around 4800m. There we put on our ice climbing gear, making sure everything is in order. Your guides then will show you how to walk with crampons on the ice, how to use the ice axe, etc... After lunch we have some more fun in the ice and move then back to our hostel. Day 8 This day is spent resting around base camp with some shorter hikes and visit of Inca ruins and a deep canyon. We go early to bed as we have to rise at 10pm to get ready for our midnight climb. Day 9 After driving to the parking area of 4600m, we start finally out on our climb of Cotopaxi. The climb takes between 6 to 8 hours depending on your physical and climate conditions. Another 3 hours back to the car, where we head back to Quito. Day 10 Today we visit the Hot Springs of Papallacta for a well-deserved ending to our climbing excursion. Relaxing in the hot waters of Ecuador's most famous spa, it let us forget about the efforts it took and relive the beautiful aspects of our climbs.
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