The Peak Experience

The Peak Experience

In our jobs and our lives, we regularly meet obstacles as large as mountains, but we find ways to climb those mountains and avoid those issues. It’s probably time that you tried to climb a mountain somewhere—just to prove to yourself that you can do it. Here’s your sign!

Our Mountaineering Tour features an introductory program on mountaineering. You have a series of hikes in various areas and at various altitudes in and around Quito. During the treks, we teach you the basics and the safety issues of mountaineering, and we culminate with a climb of Mount Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world...if you have the strength—and the courage---to climb it. If not, we have other options for you.

In our jobs and our lives, we regularly meet obstacles as large as mountains, but we find ways to climb those mountains and avoid those issues. It’s probably time that you tried to climb a mountain somewhere—just to prove to yourself that you can do it. Here’s your sign!

Our Gay-Mountaineering Tour features an introductory program on mountaineering. You have a series of hikes in various areas and at various altitudes in and around Quito. During the treks, we teach you the basics and the safety issues of mountaineering, and we culminate with a climb of Mount Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world...if you have the strength—and the courage---to climb it. If not, we have other options for you.

We’d say that this trip is not for the faint of heart…it’s designed and focused on the needs of the fit, upscale customer seeking a physical challenge---but who enjoys the amenities of nice accommodations with a maximum of comfort. Keep in mind, however, that we’re talking about climbing mountains here, not a Spa visit at a 5 star luxury hotel.

If you work out, if you enjoy exercise, and you aren’t afraid of heights, this will offer you the thrill of a lifetime. Ecuador is a climber’s paradise. With several volcanoes, valleys, and ridges, the climbing simply can’t be beat!

Here’s the caveat—and in a tour like this, there are always caveats--a few of the more remote accommodations are not luxury accommodations. EcuadorTraveler always uses the best available accommodation of the region, and this is no exception, but we will offer you some choices.

We’ve even offered an option with a fully adaptable program if the guest doesn’t want to climb Cotopaxi at the end of the tour. The guest makes the choice…Mountain, or no mountain; volcano or no volcano; deal, or no deal. It’s always your choice.

Day 1: Arrival in Quito - Ecuador

Arrive on your international flight into Quito’s International Airport. Transfer to your hotel.

Accommodation. Enjoy meals on your own.

Day 2: City Tour Quito

On the morning of your first full day in Ecuador get ready for an amazing tour showing highlights of our beautiful Quito/Metropolitan area. Early afternoon, we will return to your hotel where you enjoy free time for the rest of the day. Enjoy meals at your hotel or at one of many area restaurants this evening.

Day 2: Introduction Hike in the tropical Cloud Forest

From Quito we drive west and cross the eastern Andean range of mountains. Soon we are deep in the heart of the cloud forest, where clouds and trees weave a tapestry of mystery and magic. During your trek, you will discover a protected reserve with a profusion of life, home to hundreds of species of plants, birds and other animals. In the late afternoon, we will return to Quito where you will have dinner, and stay overnight at your hotel.

Day 3: Papallacta Hike

We will drive east on a one and a half hour journey to Papallacta following the "Cinnamon Route".We’ll start our hike at 11’811 ft (3600 m) and hike for around 2 hours up to “Sucus Lake,” located at an elevation of 13’123 ft (4000 m) and then trek down to the Papallacta Thermal Springs at 11’493 ft (3500 m) above sea level.

Enjoy a relaxing and health-restoring soak-- or a swim--followed, if you like, by a professional massage. We have dinner at the hotel before we fall into a deep and relaxing sleep-- from exhaustion.

Day 4: The Pichincha Volcano Hike

Transfer back to Quito. It’s time to ride the cable car to “Cruz Loma" Guagua (which means "baby" in Quichua language) Pichincha is an active volcano some 10 km. west of Quito. This hike provides amazing views of Quito and, with the weather cooperating, you’ll be able to see the active crater. During the hike—which lasts about seven hours, we reach the crater edge at 15’715 ft (4790 m) above sea level and hike down to the village of Lloa. We’ll drive from there to your hacienda in Lasso, on the outskirts of Cotopaxi Volcano.

Day 5: Quilotoa Trek

This trek will take you high into the Andes, to the Quilotoa Crater Lake at 12’464 ft. (3800 m). After a 90 minutes drive from the Lasso, we’ll reach the crater edge of the Quilotoa Crater. This is the starting point on our hike to Chugchilan. On the trip, we will see some "chozas"--- very basic Indian huts---where the local families live. This portion of the trip offers such a unique window into some of Ecuador’s varied indigenous cultures, in addition to the incredible scenery of the area, and the lake itself. Overnight, it would be almost a sin not to stay in a nice Inn located at Chugchilan.

Day 6: Chugchilan – Lasso

Chugchilan is a small, quite poor village. Even so, the village is surrounded by unparalleled natural grandeur---spectacular Andean scenery---which we will explore and enjoy during today’s hike. The hike is not difficult…but gives excellent opportunities for photography. Bring extra film or digital media cards and batteries; you won’t be sorry! In the afternoon we will drive back to Lasso, where we’ve made reservations for you at a comfortable hotel.

Day 7: Cotopaxi Trek

From Lasso, we drive up to the Cotopaxi National Park. During today’s trek, we will ascend the central ridge to 15,088 ft (4600 m), to Rumiñahui, another extinct volcano. This peak is located about13 km North West of Cotopaxi.

You can look for Inca treasure if you wish, but the treasure you will find this day won’t be gold—after the climb, we spend the night at Tambopaxi, a beautiful lodge located at 12,300 ft (3750 m), inside the Cotopaxi National Park.

Day 8: Preparation for Cotopaxi Climb

We’ll start hiking towards Cotopaxi Volcano, the highest active volcano in the world. After about four hours we’ll reach the trekker’s high-point for the trip -15,744 ft. (4800 m), Jose Ribas Hut. Here you rest and prepare at the Refuge for the next day climb of Cotopaxi. After organizing gear and eating dinner, we go early to bed for the midnight wake-up call for the ascent!

Day 9: Cotopaxi Climb

Our summit attempt begins on the non-glaciated snow slopes leading to a glacial platform at 17,000 ft (5182 m). As the morning progresses, we watch the sun rise over the parklands, the tropical forests, and the heavily glaciated, 18,714 ft. (5704 m) Antisana. We’ll ascend over more complex areas of the glacier, crossing snow bridges, skirting large crevasses, and ascending moderate terrain, reaching the summit cone. Once there, 35-40 degree snow slopes and a short ridge walk brings us onto Ecuador's second highest summit, the Cotopaxi Volcano at 19’347 ft (5897 m). After the ascent, the victorious climbers will return to Quito for an evening of good food, exchanging stories, and dancing!

Day 10: Departure

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, but there must be an element of sadness for it’s time to leave beautiful Ecuador. There is a saying in Ecuador—You may leave our beautiful country, but our Beautiful Country never leaves you. Transfer-out to Quito International Airport for your international flight home.

Tour Details & Tour Rates

Silver Traveler Experience

Rates start at

Quito: Hotel El Viejo Cuba

2467 USD

Lasso: Hacienda La Cienega

Tour Highlights

Learn the Basics of Mountaineering in one of the World's Climber Paradise only a 4 hours flight away from Miami
Become part of Ecuador's tradition, romance and legends when staying in one of the illustrious colonial Haciendas
If you have the strength and the courage, climb the World's highest active volcano in the world: Mount Cotopaxi with 19'347ft (5897m)