You can stand on the point of the earth's surface closest to the sun, on the worldês highest active volcano, or the only place on the equator where the temperature gets below zero degrees!

In Ecuador the Andes forms two chains of mountains the peaks to the east are generally higher, though the highest peak in the country Chimborazo is to on the western chain.¾ The valley between these volcanic peaks is called "The Avenue of Volcanoes" and can be easily reached from Quito.

The comparatively short distance between the peaks and their relative accessibility mean that an expedition can climb many different peaks in just a few weeks. December and January are the months when the weather is most favorable, but usually one may climb year round in Ecuador! It is worth remembering that each month around the full moon, the weather normally improves from the seasonal norm.

Safari employs only the best guides. Our guides have climbed throughout South America, many have trained at the National School of Alpinism in Chamonix, France, and most are bilingual. Some of our guides have summited Cotopaxi more than 200 times, and have been on and led international expeditions throughout South America, the Alps and the Himalayas!

A group of our guides were the second team to summit all five peaks of Chimborazo (the Integral). One was the first Ecuadorian to stand on the summit of Everest. All are members of ASEGUIM, the Ecuadorian climbing guides association.

On the Nevadas ( Andes snow peaks ) Safari always has one guide with every two climbers. This allows greater safety and gives each climber the best chance to summit at a moderate price although we can provide a one on one service, if that is what you need. Our guides all carry radios and cellular telephones to keep in contact with base and each other to ensure your safety on the mountains.

Safari can provide all the climbing gear that you might need and we always have spare crampons and headlights on the mountain.¾ Our policy is to always have good, safe mountaineering equipment so much it is new.

• For the beginner we teach the techniques needed on our Cotopaxi expeditions and if you want to take climbing further you can learn to climb at our Andes Climbing School.
• For experienced mountaineers, we can provide transport and logistic support.
• For everyone we are able to help with advice about acclimatization.