Resilient • Fearless • Strong

Explore the Avenue of the Volcanoes in the Ecuadorian Andes on this 10-day high-altitude retreat blending 3 volcanic summits, glacier travel, horseback riding, Andean culture, and yoga and breathwork practices designed to keep your body and mind grounded and resilient as you climb into the stratosphere.

Based from a beautiful working hacienda beneath Cotopaxi, we’ll progressively move higher into the Andes — hiking the volcanic ridges of Rumiñahui, climbing Iliniza Norte, learning the fundamentals of glacier travel, and ultimately putting everything together for a summit attempt of Cotopaxi at 19,347 feet.

Between the big mountain days, we return to the warmth of the hacienda. Hot showers, nourishing Ecuadorian meals, horseback rides across the páramo, spa recovery and Temescal, yoga, an Ecuadorian cooking class, meaningful conversations, and time to truly rest and recover before heading back into the mountains.

Who This Retreat Is For

This experience is designed for adventurous, active travelers who want to challenge themselves at high altitude while experiencing the Ecuadorian Andes in a deeply immersive way.

You do not need previous mountaineering experience to join us, but you do need experience backpacking and you will need to train for this trip. You should arrive with strong cardiovascular fitness, comfortable hiking for up to 12 hours at a time, and prepared for steep mountain terrain, significant elevation gain, cold temperatures, early alpine starts, and elevations approaching 20,000 feet. Professional mountain guides will teach the technical skills required for Cotopaxi, including crampon use, ice axe technique, rope-team travel, and glacier safety.

Our itinerary is intentionally progressive. Each mountain becomes part of our acclimatization as we move higher through the Andes, while recovery days give our bodies time to adapt.

It’s about being willing to try, to grow, and to trust yourself in unfamiliar terrain. Go beyond your limiting thoughts, beyond your conditioning, and step outside your comfort zone to discover what you are truly capable of.

The Rhythm of the Journey

Each day is intentionally designed around acclimatization, challenge, exploration, and recovery:

• A beautiful Andean hacienda beneath Cotopaxi serving as our expedition base camp

• Guided acclimatization hikes through Ecuador’s high-altitude páramo

• A guided ascent of Rumiñahui

• An overnight mountain-refuge experience and guided ascent of Iliniza Norte — 16,818 ft

• Professional glacier and mountaineering school

• An optional guided summit attempt of Cotopaxi — 19,347 ft

• A full recovery day intentionally placed between our major mountain objectives

• Horseback riding through the Ecuadorian Andes

• A traditional Ecuadorian cooking experience

• Spa and recovery time at the hacienda

• Yoga, breathwork, mobility, and reflection intentionally woven throughout the expedition

• A final recovery and integration day following Cotopaxi

• The Afterglow closing ceremony to bring the journey full circle

Our days in the mountains will be challenging — early starts, cold mornings, tired legs, thin air, and moments that ask you to dig deeper than you expected.

Then we return home to the hacienda.

Warm meals. Hot showers. Spa recovery. Horses outside. Yoga together. A fire, a hot tea, and the kind of conversations that only seem to happen after you've done something insanely satisfying and truly difficult together.

What’s Included

• Professionally guided Cotopaxi summit attempt

• Professionally guided Iliniza Norte ascent

• Guided Rumiñahui acclimitization hike

• Glacier and mountaineering skills training

• Technical mountaineering equipment required for Iliniza Norte and Cotopaxi

• 8 Nights boutique shared accommodations at Hacienda El Porvenir

• Mountain refuge accommodations for Iliniza Norte and Cotopaxi

• Breakfasts, lunches/boxed lunches, and dinners throughout the retreat

• Private airport transfers to and from Quito International Airport

• Private ground transportation throughout the expedition

• National park entrance fees and climbing permits

• Horseback riding through the Andean páramo

• Traditional Ecuadorian cooking experience

• APU Mountain Spa access and dedicated recovery experience

• Private space for yoga, breathwork, mobility, and retreat practices

• Secure luggage storage during mountain-refuge nights

• Yoga, breathwork, mobility, meditation, and reflection throughout the retreat

• Retreat planning, logistics coordination, and safety oversight throughout the journey

• An intimate small-group experience limited to 6 guests

Not Included

• Flights to/from Ecuador

• Personal hiking clothing and non-technical equipment

• Personal trail snacks

• Extra spa treatments

• Alcoholic beverages

• Personal expenses

• Guide/operator gratuities

• Travel and emergency evacuation insurance

• Any additional accommodation or transportation required before or after the retreat

*Travel insurance that covers trekking activities, trip interruption/cancellation, medical treatment, and emergency evacuation is required for this expedition.

Investment

Pricing is still being finalized for this retreat.

A $1000 deposit reserves your spot on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure to summit one of the world’s most iconic volcanoes.

Only 5/6 total guest spaces are still available.

Because of the physical demands and remote nature of this expedition, participation is application only. This allows us to make sure the experience is a good fit for you and that every member of the group arrives prepared for the journey.

Ecuador Volcanoes Application