Duration:
16 Days
Duration:
16 Days
Group Size:
Up to 10
Accommodation:
High-End Lodges, Mountain Huts & Campsites
Difficulty:
Tough. Technical skills and experience is required.
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From 4 430$
TRIP DEPARTURE DATES
Highlights
- Summit 6 technically demanding Andean summits ranging from 15,489 ft (4.721 m.) to 18,891 ft. (5.758 m.) in altitude and PD-TD grading levels.
- Optional extension to attempt the summit of the highest point on Planet Earth: Chimborazo 20,571 ft. (6.270 m.)
- Experience the most wild and remote peaks of the Ecuadorian Andes such as the alluring Massif of El Altar far off the beaten track.
- Support Local Women. This is not just a regular expedition, but a pivotal stepping stone for Andean women towards becoming certified mountain guides.
- Expert guides who don’t just guide, but educate, inspire and become dear friends along the way
- 3x Guided Yoga & Breathwork classes for optimized performance at high-altitude
Important...
Limited spots available! Secure your spot on this exclusive mountaineering experience, as we have a limited number of openings for this transformative journey.
Technical Mountaineering
Are you an experienced and passionate mountaineer looking for new challenges off the beaten track? Then look no further, this technical mountain climbing adventure in Ecuador was made just for you!
According to the weather and mountain conditions we will be able to climb technical and classical routes at PD to D+/TD grading levels on the lesser known peaks of the Ecuadorian Andes such as Antisana and El Altar. This is your chance to truly challenge yourself as a mountaineer in the unspoiled, high altitude environment that is the Andes mountains of Ecuador.
It’s time to get stoked!
FAQ
Absolutely! This expedition is tailored for experienced mountaineers seeking technical challenges and unique routes in the Ecuadorian Andes. You’ll face climbs ranging from PD to D+/TD grading levels.
Antisana is a remote and technical challenge, and we’ll establish our own tent-based basecamp at the foot of the mountain, but we will be able to drive in 4×4 trucks all the way to the basecamp. El Altar, in the Sangay National Park, offers a truly breathtaking and very challenging climb and we will have to trek through challenging terrain in order to reach the base of the massif. This is truly wild and untouched mountain beauty!
When booking with us, we provide a detailed packing list. You’ll need your own personal gear such as harness, helmet, crampons, ice-axes, rock climbing shoes, carabiners, belaying devices, slings and appropriate clothing.
Accommodations will vary from mountain huts and tent-based basecamps to comfortable lodges, providing a mix of rustic charm and modern amenities to ensure a restful night’s sleep.
Our guided expeditions offer the expertise of local guides who intimately know the terrain, weather patterns, and potential challenges of the Ecuadorian Andes. This ensures a better experience overall as well as higher chances of summiting. You’ll get to experience the real gems of the Ecuadorian Andes without the hassle of planning logistics in a way that marries the independence you cherish as an experienced climber with the support and expertise of a seasoned mountaineering team consisting of local experts.
We take care of all the logistics, including transportation, accommodations, permits, and meals, allowing you to focus solely on the climbing experience.
We intentionally keep our groups small (max 10) to ensure individualized attention and safety. When climbing our Guide:Client ratio is 1:2. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to interact with guides and fellow climbers.
The Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism recognizes the ASEGUIM association as the official guide education of Ecuador. We at Summit Stoke know that the guide makes all the difference. That’s why we only work with locally certified ASEGUIM and internationally certified IFMGA Guides who have a lot of technical experience and also speak English very well. Most of Summit Stoke’s local ASEGUIM guides are also IFMGA-aspirants. We’re proud to say that all of our guides receive an average guest satisfaction score of 9.9/10.
Yoga and breathwork
During this Summit Stoke experience we will go deep within ourselves throughout 3 guided classes of yoga poses focused on restitution after climbing and breath mastery (Pranayama) for increased performance in high altitude. Our many years of experience in the Andes have taught us that these practices along with physical and technical training truly improve your all-round skills as a mountaineer and positively affect the chances of summiting.
These guided classes are carefully planned out in order for all levels to participate. Yoga as well as mountaineering is not a competition, but a free space for you to just be, feel and listen to your body and nature. The biggest lesson of all is to succumb completely to Pachamama (Mother Earth), whether we get to summit or not is first and foremost completely up to the mountain.
Finding your tribe
We are the people who get excited about newly fallen snow, being above the clouds, the sound of glaciers, watching a sunrise, the smell of rain, starry nights and climbing beneath the moon.
Do you want to hike, scramble and climb through life with likeminded people, make new friends and have a lot of fun, while also learning tons about mountaineering, our dear Pachamama and ultimately yourself? Surround yourself with people that push you to do better. No drama or negativity. Just higher goals and higher motivation. Good times and positive energy. No jealousy or competition. Simply bringing out the absolute best in each other?
Welcome, this is your tribe! Our Advanced Mountaineering Experience will make sure to bring you together through our common passion: The Mountains.
Who is this experience for?
This technical mountain climbing experience is for men and women from all over the world, who are experienced mountain climbers. We ask that you be in great physical shape and only request to participate on this trip if you are an advanced mountaineer. Prior alpine, high altitude, rock climbing, winter and technical mountaineering experience is required.
Our definition of ‘prior alpine, rock climbing, winter and technical mountaineering experience‘:
– Excellent roped climbing, crampon and ice-axe skills. Crampon skills for at least 50-degree slopes and Ice-axe self-arrest
– Excellent rock-climbing skills; Grade 6b-6c / 5.10c – 5.11b +
– Experience with altitudes up to 14,000 feet, however 15,000 is strongly recommended
– Knowledge of and experience with knots and slings
– Comfortable with constructing and equalizing snow and ice anchors
– Experience with belaying and running belay
– Must be able to perform crevasse rescue
– Snow camp construction
– Must be able to carry at least 35 lbs.
– Experience with summit days that exceed 10-12 hours
– Excellent physical shape, which means carefully planned training for at least two months before departure is necessary.
Where?
On this experience we will be staying at a cozy lodge located near Quito, with picturesque views of the valleys. Picture a rustic, unpretentious, charming and very comfortable lodge with a crackling fireplace and big living spaces both indoor and outdoor. To access Antisana we will put up our own tents and form a basecamp at the foot of the mountain. Sleep underneath the stars and wake up to the tranquil silence of the dramatic peaks right in front of you – this is truly what we call a 5-star (or actually infinite number of stars) accommodation.
Itinerary for the experience
Day 1 – BIENVENIDOS A ECUADOR
Arrival day. Our guides will pick you up at the Quito airport at 9,500 ft (2.896 m.) and transfer you to your lodge where we will be staying: An intimate, beautiful, family-run lodge located on the slopes of the Ilaló volcano in one of the lush valleys in the outskirts of Quito.
Day 2 – ROCK CLIMBING + MIDDLE OF THE WORLD MUSEUM
We will spend the morning climbing at some local rock walls. We will prepare and fine-tune a bit of rope technique and climbing skills for the upcoming climbs. In the afternoon we will visit the interactive Middle of The World museum in Quito, where you can experience the powerful forces of being exactly at the equator. We will be back at the lodge for dinner, some rest and a short briefing about Rucu Pichincha for the next day.
Day 3 – RUCU PICHINCHA SUMMIT + YOGA
Today we will go on an acclimatization hike and climb towards the summit of Rucu Pichincha. We will go by the climbing route, which is an awesome way to get our skills warmed up for the coming climbs. Rucu Pichincha sits at 15,728 ft (4.794 m.) so it also helps us acclimatize our bodies slowly. In the evening we will follow a guided yoga session with emphasis on stretching, releasing tension and relaxing. We will also do a pranayama (breathwork) session which will help us to learn different breathing techniques for resistance in the mountains.
Day 4 – RUMIÑAHUI SOUTH SUMMIT + YOGA
Today we will do another beautiful acclimatization hike and climb. We are heading towards the southern summit of Rumiñahui’s three dramatic peaks, which is a climb to 15,489 ft (4.721 m.). Rumiñahui is located inside of the Cotopaxi National Park and the mountain is right in front of The Cotopaxi volcano. So, if the weather allows it, prepare for some epic views! After climbing we will return to our lodge where we will do a slow, guided yoga session focusing on stretching and releasing tension.
Day 5 – YOGA + HIKE TO ILINIZAS REFUGE
We will enjoy a slow morning of yoga focusing on awakening our muscles and the nervous system before we drive to the Ilinizas mountains, where we will hike until the refuge located in between the two peaks at 15,416 ft. (4.700 m.). Here we will rest, enjoy the stunning scenery and spend the night before attempting the summit of Iliniza Sur in the night.
Day 6 – ILINIZA SUR SUMMIT ATTEMPT
Around 3 am we will start our summit attempt of Iliniza Sur. The climb towards this summit is a quite technical mountain climbing challenge and takes around 4-5 hours and the descend another 3-5 hours depending on the conditions. If everything goes according to the plan, we will reach the summit of Iliniza Sur at 17,267 ft (5.263 m.) around sunrise and be back down at our lodge around midday to get some rest after the big climb.
Day 7 – ANTISANA VOLCANO BASECAMP
Today will be a rest day used to travel to the Antisana volcano. We will drive to the beautiful Antisana Ecological Reserve, where we will set up a tent-based basecamp at the foot of the mountain. We will get to rest in the most pristine surroundings and underneath a thousand stars in the night.
Day 8 – ANTISANA GLACIER SCHOOL SESSION
After breakfast we will hike to the glacier of Antisana where we will do an advanced glacier school focusing on fine-tuning our technical mountain climbing skills before climbing the very demanding Antisana volcano. The Glacier School will also get us used to the surroundings and the conditions of the volcano. After the glacier school we will hike back down to basecamp to rest.
Day 9 – ANTISANA SUMMIT ATTEMPT
Around midnight we will start our climb toward the summit of Antisana at 18,891 ft. (5.758 m.). The climb usually takes between 6-8 hours and the descent around 3 hours. After the climb we will drive back to get some well-deserved rest at the lodge.
Day 10 – TRANSPORT DAY
Today is the beginning of our unique El Altar adventure. We will spend most of the day driving down south to La Bocatoma which is where we will start the hike to the base of the mountains. We will set up tents at Bocatoma and spend the night before starting the trek next morning.
Day 11 – EL ALTAR TREK IN
We will start the trek towards the Italian Basecamp at around 15,000 ft. (4.600 m.) early in the morning. When arriving we will put up tents and get comfortable. This will serve as out basecamp for the next 3 days, where we will attempt two of the majestic peaks.
Day 12 – MONJA GRANDE SUMMIT ATTEMPT
Early in the morning we will start our summit attempt of Monja Grande at 16,929 ft. (5.160 m.). This will be a long and technical climb with mixed rock, snow, ice and some crevasses. After this epic and technical mountain climbing challenge we will return to basecamp to rest.
Day 13 – REST DAY
After a hard climb and trek the past few days we will spend the day just resting before attempting El Obispo next day.
Day 14 – EL OBISPO SUMMIT ATTEMPT
Early in the morning we will hike towards the mountain the same way as when we approached Monja Grande. We will climb in steep snow and mixed rock in order to reach the top of the hanging glacier. After a long and technical climb, we will be standing at 17,450 ft. (5.319 m.) at the summit of El Obispo. We will return back to basecamp to pack up most of our things and rest before trekking out in the morning.
Day 15 – EL ALTAR TREK OUT
Today we will trek out from El Altar and if you didn’t choose the extension we will drive back to Quito. If you have chosen the extension we will drive to Baños to rest before attempting the highest mountain of Ecuador: Chimborazo!
Day 16 – HASTA LUEGO
End of trip, we will say our goodbyes after an amazing adventure together. (Rest day in Baños if with extension)
Optional Chimborazo Extension (+470 USD (at least 2 pax))
Extension itinerary:
- Chimborazo High Camp
- Chimborazo Summit
- Quito and end of trip
Included in the trip
- Certified, English-speaking ASEGUIM/IFMGA guides for each ascent
- 3x yoga and breathwork classes
- 1 Advanced Glacier School Day
- Camping and cooking equipment for basecamps
- All National Park Fees and Climbing Permits
- 1 night in shared rooms at Ilinizas mountain refuge
- 7 nights sleeping under the stars in tent-based basecamps
- 7 nights in double rooms at lodges
- Transport and access to all mentioned adventures
- Airport Transfers
- 15x breakfasts, 14x lunches / box lunches, 15x dinners
- All mentioned activities
Not included: Airfare, Travel Insurance (required) & Tips
