Sea to Summit

A true challenge for those who want to push their limits to the next level

DURATION 16 days

STARTING FROM $ 2800

DIFFICULTY Moderate to Advanced

TRIP OVERVIEW

This is a special program that presents a different option for a challenging adventure!

“All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to and that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible”
T.E. Lawrance

“Go in the direction of your dreams, live the life that you have imagined…”
Richard Bach

The Story Behind the Dream

The whole idea of Sea to Summit started in August 2012 when a group of 5 friends (Pablo Montalvo, Steven Tober, Robert Hofstede, Marco Ruano and myself, Javier Herrera) decided to do a bike trip from Pedernales (sea level) to the hut of Cotopaxi (4.800 m / 15,700 ft) and then to attempt to summit the volcano at 5.897 m / 19.300 ft. By the end, two members - Pablo and Steven - succeeded on it, doing the first recorded ascent of Cotopaxi from sea level without the use of motor transportation, in 6 days.

Sometime later I shared this idea with a good client & friend of ours, Edita Nichols (https://editanichols.com) from Lituania, who asked me: Has anybody done it on Chimborazo? The answer was no. Edita got intrested in the idea as Chimborazo is the nearest point to the sun, being the highest mountain in the world if measured from the centre of the planet. Together with her partner Mark Horrel, they returned to Ecuador in September 2017 and after careful planning with our assistance they took the daunting challenge, becoming the first adventurers to journey propelled by themselves from Guayaquil to Chimborazo, trekked around Chimborazo and reached the summit of this magnificent mountain at 6.310 m / 20,696 ft.

Please check this link

http://www.markhorrell.com/?s=sea+to+summit&submit=Search

Now Edita and Mark are returning again to …why?……. Doing it all the way from the beach and are willing to have friends joining them on the following program:

Arrive/Depart: Quito

Group Size: 2-10 Guests

Pre-requisites: Good physical condition and biking experience

Difficulty Levels:
Easy: Pasochoa / Pichincha
Advanced: Chimborazo
EXPLAIN DIFFICULTY LEVELS

Accomodation: 15 nights: 5 hotels in Quito and Guayaquil, 3 at basic hotels, 3 at mountain lodge, 3 camping, 1 at mountain refuge

Activity: Trekking / Wildlife & Natural History / Biking on paved roads / Mountaineering

Seasons: All year round

Equipment: Climbing Expeditions Gear List
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ITINERARY

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY

DAY
01

Arrival (Friday) / Night in Quito [2.800 m / 9,186 ft]

Activity: Transfer in

Accommodation: In Quito - Vieja Cuba or similar

DAY
02

Day in Quito / Try the bikes Night in Quito

Activity: Free day in Quito / Try bikes on

Accommodation: In Quito - Vieja Cuba or similar

Meals: Breakfast

DAY
03

Pasochoa Hike [4.200 m / 13,780 ft] - Night in Quito

Activity: 5 hours walking up and down Pasochoa

Accommodation: In Quito - Vieja Cuba or similar

Transportation: Short transfer on private van or jeep

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY
04

Pichincha Hike [4.700 m / 15,420 ft] - Night camping at 4.000 m / 13,123 ft

Activity: 4 hours walking up and down Guagua Pichincha

Accommodation: Camping

Transportation: Short transfer on private van or jeep

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY
05

Fly to Guayaquil and transfer to the beach Night in Playas

Activity: Transfer and flight to Guayaquil, and transfer to Playas

Accommodation: Hotel in Playas

Transportation: Plane and private transfers

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY
06

Biking from Playas to Guayaquil

Activity: 5 hours bike ride from Playas to Guayaquil

Accommodation: Hotel in Guayaquil

Transportation: Bicycles

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY
07

Biking Guayaquil - Balsapamba

Activity: 5-8 hours bike ride from to Guayaquil to Balsapamba

Accommodation: Basic hotel in Balsapamba

Transportation: Bicycles

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY
08

Biking Balsapamba - Guaranda [2.600 m / 8,530 ft]

Activity: 5-8 hours bike ride from Balsapamba to Guaranda

Accommodation: Hotel in Guaranda

Transportation: Bicycles

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY
09

Biking Guaranda Chimborazo Lodge [4.000 m / 13,123 ft]

Activity: 5-8 hours bike ride from Guaranda to Chimborazo Lodge

Accommodation: Chimborazo Lodge

Transportation: Bicycles

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY
10

Rest day at Chimborazo Lodge [4.000 m / 13,123 ft]

Activity: Rest day at Chimborazo Lodge

Accommodation: Chimborazo Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY
11

Acclimatisation hike [5.000 m / 16,404 ft] - Chimborazo Lodge

Activity: Acclimatization hike to 5.000m/16,400ft

Accommodation: Chimborazo Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY
12

Acclimatization hike to Carrel Refuge [4.800 m / 15,748 ft] - Night at the hut

Activity: Hike to the Carrel hut 4.800m/15,700 ft

Accommodation: Carrel Refuge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY
13

Climb Chimborazo [6.310 m / 20,192 ft]

Activity: Climb Chimborazo

Accommodation: Camp or Whymper Refuge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY
14

Climb Chimborazo summit day #1 [6.310 m / 20,192 ft]

Activity: Climb Chimborazo

Accommodation: Camp or Whymper Refuge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY
15

Climb Chimborazo summit day # 2 / Return to Quito

Activity: Climb Chimborazo / Drive back to Quito

Accommodation: Hotel in Quito

Transportation: 4 hour transfer on private van or jeep

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY
16

Fly out (Saturday)

Transportation: Transfer out to airpor

Meals: Breakfast

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY

Important: Please note that this itinerary is a guideline only. We will do every effort to follow it, but in case of unforeseen circumstances we may have to make changes.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • A challenge inspired in the journey of Edward Whymper 1880
  • A unique off the beaten track challenge
  • Reach the summit of Chimborazo the nearest point to the sun
  • Acclimatized on two volcanoes near Quito
  • Enjoy the beach of Playas
  • 6.310 m / 20,192 ft of altitude gain
  • Bike through the different eco-systems of Ecuador
  • Visit Chimborazo Reserve
  • Enjoy the comforts of Chimborazo Lodge

MAP

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COMPLIMENTARY
EXTENSIONS

Our Complimentary Extension Packages offer great opportunities to explore some of Ecuador’s most dramatic scenaries, which have earned the country a reputation as one of the most bio diverse and unique regions on the planet.

We work with carefully selected tourism operators, which will offer the same quality and high standards of service that our clients expect from us.

You can choose from a selection of various (active) outdoor activities in the Galapagos, the Cloud Forest or Amazon Jungle. We highly recommend to extent your trip with a rafting experience.

VIEW EXTENSION TOURS

DATES & PRICING

Scheduled Dates

Important: Please note that this itinerary is a guideline only. Although every effort will be made to adhere to it, unforeseen circumstances (such as fitness of participants) may force us to make changes at the last moment. Please be prepared to be flexible if necessary.

We only run this trip on a private basis, please contact us to inquire.

2023 Prices

1 pax - USD 7.425 per person in double occupancy
2 pax - USD 4.445 per person
3 pax - USD 3.966 per person
4+ pax - USD 3.555 per person
Single Room Suplement USD 620

Trip Cost Includes

  • Airport transfers
  • All transport by private vehicles during the program when needed
  • All the food once out of Quito
  • One way flight to Guayaquil
  • Accommodation: Hotels, mountain lodges, one night camping
  • Mountain bikes and helmets
  • Support 4x4 jeep
  • Camping gear
  • Permits and park fees
  • One guide for the acclimatisation hikes
  • One bilingual qualified mountain guide per every two climbers on Chimborazo
  • Some climbing gear: Crampons, harness, helmet, ice axe and group gear such as ropes (boots available for rent at $20 per day)

Trip Cost Does Not Include

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Lunch and evening meals while in Quito
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Extras, laundry, tips
  • Other items personal mountaineering gear
  • Hotel nights out of the program or if early return to the cities
  • Guide and Transport for the rest day at Chimborazo Lodge
DOWNLOAD TERMS & CONDITIONS

WHY TAKE THIS TRIP WITH US?

Our team is directed by Javier Herrera, a former Pan-American cycling champion and a mountain guide. Cycling and mountaineering have been for many years our two outdoor passions. Our staff is formed by the best Ecuadorian guides. Some of us have historical guiding achievements, including guiding in the Himalayas while others are well known for their leading mountaineering expeditions in South America. Our guides are an integral part of Andeanface because they understand and share our climbing principles. The quality of our guiding staff is what makes us stand out from other companies.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

After landing in Quito at 2.800 m / 9,180 ft where we spend the first two nights (on the day trying on the bikes) we start acclimatizing on Pasochoa 4.200 m / 13,700 ft, followed by Guagua Pichincha where we will spend the first night camping at high altitude 4.000 m / 13,000 ft before flying into the coast in the afternoon of that day. At the airport of Guayaquil you will be met by our team and transferred to the beach of Playas where we start our journey.

The cycling part will be done on main paved roads. On the cycling days the group will be supported by a 4X4 or a van. While in the main cities we will use good standard 3+ star accommodation, for the days in the coast we will be spending the nights at more basic hotels. During the preparation hikes team members will only need to carry a daypack with them. For acclimatization reasons, if possible, we strongly recommend our team members spending one more extra day in Quito at 2.800 m / 9,000 ft before the start of this challenge.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS