Cotopaxi Volcano, Ecuador: jarikir (flickr)

Destination: Ecuador

Time: 7 days

Cost (w/o airfare): $427 USD

Total Cost (including airfare) / (11 June 2008 - 17 June 2008):

• New York to Quito: $507 USD roundtrip-air, $934 USD total
• Miami to Quito: $477 USD roundtrip-air, $904 USD total
• Los Angeles to Quito: $482 USD roundtrip-air, $909 USD total
• London to Quito: $1249 USD roundtrip-air, $1676 USD total
• Sydney to Quito: $2340 USD roundtrip-air, $2767 USD total

Description: This getaway involves a trip down to the Andean country of Ecuador, to summit 3 Andean peaks, ending with one of the highest active volcanoes in the world: Volcan Cotopaxi (5897m / 19,348ft). While these peaks are extremely high, no prior mountaineering experience is required, as you will organize your ascents with a local climbing operator (I recommend Gulliver Tours) who will provide you with bilingual guides, training, and all necessary safety precautions and equipment.

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrive in Quito (flights usually arrive late at night), continue on to hotel
  $10 taxi to hotel, $12 hotel room in The Secret Garden (per person) = $22 USD
• Day 2: Relaxed day in Quito, give yourself 24 hours to adjust to the altitude change. Confirm your reservations with climbing operator, rent cold-weather climbing gear (if necessary), etc.
  $10 taxis around city, $15 food, $15 extras, $12 hotel room (per person) = $52 USD
• Day 3: Early-rise, catch a cab to the Teleferico (cable car overlooking Quito). Take the cable car to it’s highest point, where you can begin your first ascent of an Andean Mountain. Pichincha is a currently inactive volcano that sits about a 5 hour hike/climb (roundtrip) from the Teleferico. Finish the climb by mid to late afternoon, and have the rest of the day to explore Quito.
  $10 taxis to/from Teleferico, $15 food, $6 Cable Car ticket, $12 hotel room (per person) = $43 USD
• Day 4: Early-rise, meet Gulliver Tour Operators to continue on to Iliniza Norte to begin your ascent. Spend the night in Hosteria Papagayo.
  $80 for guided ascent (includes all transport, bilingual guide), $10 extra food, $12 stay at Hosteria Papagayo (per person) = $102 USD
• Day 5/6: Wake up to a cool Andean morning at Hosteria Papagayo. 11am depart for the Cotopaxi National Park to begin your ascent of Volcan Cotopaxi. 1-2pm arrive at the Cotopaxi refuge for lunch. Later in the afternoon you will practice basic ice-climbing techniques with your bilingual guide (no experience necessary), then return to the refuge where you will eat dinner and get a few hours sleep before starting the ascent at midnight. Starting the ascent at midnight allows you to summit the 5897m peak at sunrise, before the clouds roll in, and have and enjoy calm, breathtaking views of the countryside. You will then descend the mountain and return to Hosteria Papagayo. From there you return to Quito.
  $160 guided ascent (includes transport, refuge fees, bilingual guide, meals), $10 park entrance fee, $5 bus transport back to Quito on Day 6, $10 extra meals, $12 Day 6 night in hotel = $197 USD
• Day 7: Fly home, or continue your Ecuadorian and/or South American travels.
  $3 breakfast, $8 taxi to airport = $11 USD

Other Information: Accommodation and food costs are just suggestions. It is quite possible to spend more or less depending on your travel style.

More Information: For more information on this getaway, please feel free to contact Rob Meyer at gobudgettravel@gmail.com

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