Climbing Chimborazo Volcano (6263 m / 20548 ft) - the world's highest mountain measured from the center of the earth - is a challenging plan, therefore you should take it up with a good acclimatization schedule. Included in the itinerary - amongst others - are Tungurahua Volcano, Iliniza Sur and Cayambe Volcano, Ecuador's 3rd highest mountain and the only snow-covered spot on the equatorial line. Definitely a trip of a lifetime - join us!
Technically the climbs are not very difficult, nevertheless good fitness is required and some previous glacier travel experience highly recommended.
In this 12 day-package only the high mountains are covered, further you'll get to know some of the highlights of the Ecuadorian Andean region, as Quilotoa Crater Lake and Cuicocha Crater Lake. We highly recommend to schedule further acclimatization activities before starting this program.
Any questions? Reach out to our climbing experts on info@andeansummitadventure.com or +593968959533 (WhatsApp or call).
- see program / itinerary
- certified bi-lingual guide (NATIONAL / ASEGUIM / IVBV - UIAGM - IFMGA), max. 1 guide per 2 climbers on glaciated mountains, 1 guide during the rest of the trip
- transportation in private vehicle during the tour (from / to Quito)
- accommodation as per itinereray (or similar - depending on availability)
- park entrance fees & climbing permits
- meals as specified in the itinerary
- group equipment: ropes and other guiding gear
- catering (see program)
- personal technical equipment (harness, helmet, crampons, ice axe, carabiners, screws, slings etc.)
- sleeping bag + pad for huts and camps, boots and other private equipment - check our equipment list
- other entrance fees (eg. in the city for churches etc.)
- insurances (please make sure that you have an insurance covering risks of mountain climbing)
- cost for program changes
- tips & any other expenses not explicitly mentioned
- 60 or more days prior to departure: the total amount paid will be refunded, minus handling & administrative charges (if any)
- 59 - 30 days prior to departure: 50% of the total amount paid will be forfeited
- 29 and less days prior to departure: the total amount paid will be forfeited
With full payment or partial payment of the tour the climber accepts the latest version of andean summit adventure's terms and conditions, which can be downloaded HERE.
DAY 1 + 2
After breakfast (approx. 9 am), we drive to Baños de Agua Santa and have lunch on the way. By car we arrive at the park entrance (2800 m / 9190 ft) where we register and start our climb. We hike for approx. 3 hours through a cloud forest up to the Tungurahua refuge at 3800 m / 12470 ft where we will prepare dinner and spend the night.
After an early breakfast we start our summit push to mama TUNGURAHUA (5.023 m / 16,480 ft). The start time depending on conditions. The climb is constantly steep and leads up over the sandy slopes first to the "cruz del Alemán" - a memorial site, then to the crater and last but not least the summit. It will take us between 4 - 6 hours to reach the highest point. Then we descend back to the refuge for getting our luggage and then down to the parking lot, transfer back to our accommodation.
tech. data day 1: ↑ 1000 m / 3280 ft | → 4 km / 2.5 mi
tech. data day 2: ↑ 1200 m / 3940 ft ↓ 2200 m / 7220 ft | ↔ 11 km / 6.8 mi
catering day 1: - / L / D
catering day 2: B / LB / -
accommodation in single / double / triple room(s) with private bathroom in Hotel La Chimenea - Casa D'Piedad in Baños de Agua Santa including breakfast
DAY 3
Start after breakfast and drive to the QUILOTOA CRATER LAKE, trek along the crater rim (5 - 6 hours), highest elevation (3.930 m / 12,894 ft). During the hike we admire the breathtaking blue of the lake and wonderful views of the surroundings. OPTIONAL: only visit of the lagoon, or the village and view points, depending on your preferences.
tech. data: ↑↓ 650 m / 2130 ft | ↔ 11 km / 6.8 mi
catering: B / LB / -
accommodation in single / double / triple rooms in Hotel Casa Sakiwa including breakfast
DAY 4 + 5
After breakfast (approx. 10 am), drive to the parking area in the Natural Reserve Los Ilinizas (3970 m / 13020 ft), hike up to the Refugio Nuevos Horizontes (approx. 3 hours) at 4730 m / 15520 ft, where we will spend the night at the refuge with dinner and breakfast included.
Early in the morning (approx. 3 am) we have breakfast and continue the ascent to ILINIZA SUR (5.246 m / 17,211 ft), approx. 3 to 4-hour-tour with some rock climbing sections as well as icy ramps on the way to the summit, descent back to the refuge for getting our luggage and then down to the parking lot, transfer back to our accommodation.
tech. data day 1: ↑ 760 m / 2490 ft | → 4,7 km / 2.9 mi
tech. data day 2: ↑ 510 / 1670 ft ↓ 1270 m / 4160 ft | ↔ 8,2 km / 5.1 mi
catering day 1: B / LB / D
catering day 2: B / - / - (snacks for the ascent are included)
accommodation in single / double / triple rooms in Hotel Casa Sakiwa with breakfast
DAY 6 + 7
We head towards Chimborazo National Park, have lunch on the way. After check in at the gate we drive up to the parking lot at 4800 m / 15750 ft, and hike then up to the high camp at 5300 m / 17400 ft, where we spend the night in tents or domes. After an early dinner we try to rest, have breakfast around midnight and get prepared for a 6 - 8 hours ascent to CHIMBORAZO SUMMIT (6263 m / 20548 ft). Ideally after admiring a wonderful sunrise from the summit of Chimborazo we descend to high camp where we pick up our stuff, have a small snack and then continue downwards to our vehicles. Transportation to our accommodation.
tech. data day 1: ↑ 500 m / 1640 ft | → 2,1 km / 1.3 mi
tech. data day 2: ↑ 1000 m / 3280 ft ↓ 1500 m / 4920 ft | ↔ 7,9 km / 4.9 mi
catering day 1: B / L / D
catering day 2: B / - / - (snacks for ascent will be provided)
accommodation in single / double / triple rooms in Hotel Casa Sakiwa with breakfast
DAY 8
We leave after breakfast and drive towards the North of Ecuador (approx. 2,5 hrs). Our target is the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve where we check in. Afterwards we start our hike around the CUICOCHA lagoon. On the way we enjoy a small picknick for lunch and breathtaking views. After completing the hike (approx. 4 hours), we start our journey back to Otavalo.
Optional: only visit of the lake and small hike, depending on your preferences
tech. data: ↑↓ 650 m / 2130 ft | ↔ 12,5 km / 7.8 mi
catering: B / LB / -
accommodation in single / double / triple rooms in Hotel Santa Fe, including breakfast
DAY 9 + 10
We have a relaxing morning. Afterwards we drive to Cayambe city where we have lunch and then continue driving up to the Refugio Ruales Oleas Berge (4640 m / 15230 ft). In the afternoon we have a small glacier school / practice if required or discover the surroundings. After an early dinner we try to rest. Around midnight we wake up and have breakfast, then we start our ascent to CAYAMBE (5.790 m / 18,996 ft), time to summit approx. 6 to 7 hours, we admire crevasses and beautiful views, then we descend to the refuge and drive to our accommodation.
tech. data day 1: ↑↓ 0 m / 0 ft | ↔ 0,0 km / 0 mi
tech. data day 2: ↑↓ 1150 m / 3770 ft | ↔ 8,15 km / 5.1 mi
catering day 1: B / LB / D
catering day 2: B / - / - (snacks for the ascent will be provided)
accommodation with breakfast in single / double / triple room in
Hotel Casa Ilayaku
DAY 11 + 12
Pick up in Quito at approx. 10.30 am, drive towards Pintag and Antisana National Park. We stop for lunch on the way or have a picknick and continue then to the check in of Antisana National Park. Afterwards (if conditions are favorable) we drive up to the parking lot, where we camp as well. In case the access is tricky, we'll have to hike up and set our camp up at the sector "La Virgen" at approx. 4500 m / 14760 ft. We have an early dinner and rest at our remote camp site and ideally admire the sun set over Cotopaxi, just opposite of us. Wake up around midnight, small snack and start of the hike to the summit of ANTISANA (5.758 m / 18,891 ft), which takes approximately 6 - 8 h. After enjoying hopefully wonderful views at the summit we descend (approx. 3 - 4 hours to the camp), pack our camp and return to Quito. End of services
tech. data day 1: ↑ 0 m / 0 ft | → 0 km / 0 mi (in case of bad trail conditions hike to the camp)
tech. data day 2: ↑ 1200 m / 3940 ft ↓ 1200 m / 3940 ft | ↔ 11 km / 6.8 mi
catering day 1: B / LB / D
catering day 2: B / - / - (snacks for ascent will be provided)
accommodation not included on day 12
