Originally, I planed to climb the highest active volcano in the world, which is Cotopoxi(5897m). But after I met Anita, who is running a foundation in Banos and she is also a guide for tourist, she advised me to climb Chimborazo instead. Because the latter is less touristic, cheaper and easier to see the peak.
And this trip turned out to be the highlight of my travel in Ecuador.
I went to Riobamba with Yaseen last Saturday, as there were no public transportation to the Reserva Faunistica Chimborazo, so we joined the tour operated by Alta Montana. It was not so expensive, the transportations to and from the reserva was 40USD in total, and it costed 20USD more to hire the guide. So we could separate the cost between us. I think if we had 4 people, the cost per person was only 15USD rather than 30USD with only 2 persons. Comparing with the tour to Cotopaxi, which is usually around 50USD per person, going to Chimborazo is really cost-saving.
And we also need to pay 10USD per person (adult, students pay 5USD) for entering the reserva.
What makes Chimborazo so special? Actually, it is the highest mountain in the world, even higher than Mt. Everest. Why? It is mainly because of the promiximity towards the equator, so if you calculate from the middle of the earth, Chimborazo's height is 6384km (note that it is km, but not meter), while Mt. Everest is 6382km. So standing at the peak of Chimborazo is really standing closest to the sky among any parts of the world.
We set off at 8am and our guide Edison drove us to the mountain. On the road, we bypassed many small indigenous villages and met lots of handsome vicunas (similar to llamas and alpacas) which only live in this area in Ecuador(they also live in Peru and Bolivia).
The weather was really foggy by the time we set off, I thought maybe I was not lucky enough to see Chimborazo this day.
When we arrived the first selter, Refugio Hermanos Carrel(4800m), it was only 1 to 4 degree. Before setting off, we first had cups of cocoa tea and then we trekked up about 200meters to another shelter, Refugio Edward Whymper. On the way, except the snow underneath, rocks and the fog, we didn't see the edge of Chimborazo.
But as the time went by, it started to show her face.
At first, Chimborazo was too shy to meet us.
Then it started to unveil.
The unveiled Chimborazo with the colourful clouds as a crown.
The crown of Chimborazo.
At first, I thought Chimborazo would only show her face for a few seconds or minutes. Luckily, once the cloud was clear, she decided to face us with her stunning beauty.
Then we continued to trekked up until near 6000m. And Chimborazo was just like within the grab of my hand, and I was thinking how she erupted in 4000years ago(it was not an active volcano anymore now). I couldn't believe the highest mountain in the world could be so close to me. Unlike Mt. Everest, Chimborazo likes to show her friendliness by the easy access.
Chimborazo was so close to me.
There was a very very small lake near the top.
Though the altitude was very high, the weather was very cold and windy, climbing Chimborazo was not really a too difficult job. But I needed to walk very very slowly so as not to running out of my breath.
Trekking on the snow and rocks.
And our guide, Edison was very helpful and informative. He told lots of information about the region and the reserva to us. And he was also a photographer, so I felt very comfortable for letting him to help us take picture with my DSLR. Recommended.
When we went down the mountain, we met many local tourists trekking up. Luckily, we were early enough to escape from the crowd and enjoy the traquility of Chimborazo. Once again proved, early birds can eat worms.
Then we went back the shelter to enjoy a hot soup and bread with our guide. A very satisfied and happy day. wish this moment can last every day.
The last glimpse of Chimborazo.
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