Expedition Meets in: Quito, Ecuador
Continent: South America
Currency: United States Dollar
Population: 18 million
Official Language: Spanish
Seasons to Climb: November to February is considered to be the best time for climbing.
Getting There & Meeting Location:
Your first day is an arrival day, meaning you can book your flights to arrive in Quito at any time on that first day.
Flying into Quito is relatively straightforward as it is served by several major airlines with flights from Asia, North and South America, and Europe daily.
Ecuador issues visas on arrival for most countries. However, there are some exceptions. It is your responsibility to research travel requirements from your own country.
When you arrive in Quito, our local team will be at the airport to meet you and take you to our designated hotel. Upon exiting the plane, walk to the customs area and have your passport and visa form handy. Depending on the number of flights landing, it can take up to an hour to clear customs. You will be required to buy a visa upon arrival unless your country requires a pre-approved visa.
Once you have passed customs, claim your bags, head outside, and look for a CTSS representative in the arrivals hall.
If, for some reason, you miss this transport or your flight is delayed and you have been unable to alert us, simply grab a taxi and head to the hotel listed in your pre-trip emails. It is cheap and easy to get to the hotel.
Connect with your guide as you arrive at the hotel; if you arrive in the morning on Day 1 and feel good, they may do your gear checks the same day. If you arrive late at night, please ask reception to leave a message for your guide that you have arrived.
On the evening of Day 1, we will gather informally at the hotel and head out for dinner in Quito. This is just a casual meeting, as late or delayed arrivals may not be there. Don’t feel any pressure to join if you arrive later in the day or prefer to rest.
We will have our formal, official team meeting with the team at breakfast on the morning of Day 2.
Expedition Transportation:
CTSS will arrange all scheduled transport for the duration of the expedition.
We will drive from Quito to Cotopaxi, then on to Cayambe before returning to Quito at the end of the normal itinerary. Chimborazo extension climbers will leave from Quito to Chimborazo via CTSS-arranged transport on the day that the rest of the team heads to the airport.
Accommodation:
Your expedition includes all of your accommodations, as noted in the inclusions and exclusions.
All hotels are double occupancy unless you have chosen the single rooming option and paid the add-on fee. If you want single rooming, please let us know, and we can add the fee on to your balance to cover this added expense. Sometimes hotels are full during the climbing season and may not have enough space to accommodate single rooming, but we will do our best.
Money:
It is better to have more money than you need than not enough. Most things are covered on the trip once you land in Quito. You can review the inclusions and exclusions list for more details.
Bring cash to cover expenses for a potential early departure (not frequent, but sometimes this occurs), miscellaneous expenses like extra hotel nights, meals in town, if arriving early or departing late, shopping, alcohol, specialty coffees, bottled water or snacks, staff tips (customary, but optional), etc. In-town meals during the climb are at your own expense.
Generally, we recommend bringing $1,000 – $1,500 USD plus a credit card to cover all potential expenses, though it is unlikely that you will need all of this. Please let your credit card company know you will be traveling so you can use your card without triggering a fraud alert.
Tipping:
Tips are customary in Ecuador. Tip between 10-15% for meals, round up fares for taxis, hotel bellhops receive $1-$2 USD per bag, and housekeepers customarily get about $1 USD per day.
Language:
Ecuador’s official language is Spanish. While in Quito, you should expect difficulty finding English-speaking shopkeepers or among the general public. Most hotel front desk employees will have some command of English, and our logistics staff speak English well.
Cell Phone Coverage:
Ecuador Country Code: +593
There is cell service during much of our trip in Ecuador but roaming charges can be expensive, so please consult your carrier to determine data/calling rates prior to departure. Another option is to purchase a local SIM or rechargeable phone while in Quito. There may be a satellite phone with the team on the climb, but don’t expect to be able to use it on an unlimited basis as we typically reserve it for emergencies. We can make it available to the team at $3/minute.
Local Emergency Contacts:
In Ecuador, you can reach emergency services by dialing:
Ambulance: 131
Fire: 102
Police: 101
International Arrivals & Visas:
Ecuador issues visas on arrival for most countries, although there are a handful of countries from which Ecuador requires pre-approved visas for entry. It is your responsibility to research travel requirements from your country.
We recommend flying with at least three (3) passport-sized photos for visa and customs. You may or may not need them, but they are important to have on hand.
You should keep a copy of your embassy or consulate information with you while traveling through Ecuador. For US citizens, this information is:
US Embassy Santiago
Ave. Avigiras E12-170 y Ave. Eloy Alfaro
Quito, Ecuador
Phone: +593-2-398-5000
Electrical:
The Ecuadorean electrical grid runs at 110 volts and 60 Hertz, identical to the U.S. grid. If you’re flying from a country other than the United States, check your device specification (especially their Hertz specifications) and plan on bringing an adapter to ensure compatibility.
Ecuador has adopted the same plug configurations as the United States Type A and Type B
Potable Water:
It is recommended to opt for bottled water or treat your own tap water while traveling in Ecuador, especially in the more rural regions surrounding our climbing routes.