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[quote="Liga"]I can sincerely recommend Javier Herrera of www.andeanface.com or any of his guides.

Yep, definitely recommend Javier and one of his guides Felipe Jacome. I know Felipe well and we've done a few routes on Antisana and Cayambe. Javier and Felipe are the best, well educated and experienced. Javier has over 220 summits of cotopaxi before setting up www.andeanface.com. the last time I was talking to him, Felipe was in Bolivia finishing his UAIGM training, which he should have about now. Top notch guys if you're looking for guides that are accomplished and accommpanying.

col

Myzantrope,
Rafael Uscha, well known by everyone in the village of Licto, 15km south of Riobamba, is the salesman for the Cooperativo de Guias de Guargualla (natives). In 2005 he was reachable @ 03-949-552.
Marco Cruz (also metionned in one of the posts here) is a very skilled mountain guid based close to Riobamba. I believe he is one of the rare Ecuadorians being UIAGM certified (formé à l'ENSA de Chamonix). Check Expediciones Andinas. Price wise: $$$$$
A very professional guiding agency downtown Riobamba is Alta Montana, avenida Daniel Leon Borja 35-17 y Diego Ibarra (phone in 2005: 295-06-01, fax: 294-22-15, e-mail: aventurag(at)laserinter(dot)net). They also run a hut, Stacion Urbina 23km north of Riobamba on the flanks of Chimborazo @ 3650m.
Salutations des cousins d'Amerique

Many thanks to everybody for these great contacts !!

... et spéciale dédicace à Ario pour notre rencontre à Paris

I would like to 2nd the recommendation for Marco Cruz and Expediciones Andinas. I just returned from Ecuador and climbed Illiniza Norte and Cotopaxi with Marco and his guides. Although our group comprised of just myself and my girlfriend, we were supported by four people: Marco, two guides, and a cook.

We had a fantastic time at camp and on both of our climbs. The camp had everything we needed and more: cooking tent, dining tent, private tent, latrine, etc. (and for me was nothing short of luxurious), and the food was fabulous. Marco's extensive knowledge of every aspect of the the mountains of Ecuador made the trip continously interesting. The climbs were both great, and we both felt very confident in the abilities of our guides.

Marco actually picked us up at our hotel in Quito (which his wife and business partner Ximena arranged for us), drove us to our first basecamp, and returned us there after our climb of Cotopaxi. Marco and Ximena went beyond the call of duty in helping us reserve another trip to the Amazon.

I highly recommend Marco and his services. They made our first international mountaineering experience an excellent one across the board. As to prices, I have little to compare with, but for roughly $750 each for a 4 night/5 day trip, I thought the adventure a great bargain.

Feel free to contact me with other questions if I can be of help.

Peter

Thanks everyone for the great ideas. We went with Moggely and have not been disappointed. Great prices and guides. They were very accomodating as we changed our plans frequently.

Woodie

Hi Woodie,

Which guides did you hire ? For which summits ?

All were courtesy of Moggely: Robinson for Guagua, Patricio Salazar for Cayambe, Chimborazo and Cotopaxi. We also hired Marco as an extra guide for Chimborazo in case one of us had to go down. These are all three of the Moggely guides. I liked Patricio and Marco the most, but Robinson is a nice guy but a little quiet. I can't comment on his technical skills first-hand since he only guided us on an acclimatization hike since we needed a ride too. I can tell you that Robinson is often used for Antisana and has climbed Huascaran among other high Peruvian and Bolivian peaks so I'm sure he would be fine from a technical standpoint.

Woodie

Congrats on your success. Mind if I PM you a few questions?

Woodie,

Great program you had !
Bravo ;o)

How much did you pay for each summit/guide ?

Big summits were about $195 per person. Antisana is a little more- $235 since there is no hut and private property issues have to be addressed. Hut fees, food, travel and cooking are included in the costs, park fees are not ($10 for Cotopaxi and Chimborazo).

Scott, please feel free to PM me with any questions; I'm very glad to try to help you any way I can. I will be here in Quito until Saturday morning when I return to Denver.

Woodie