2 days

Duration

3/5

Difficulty

List of Mountains and Volcanoes to climb in Ecuador

Ten summits in the Ecuadorian Andes are over 5000 m. high and covered with eternal snow and ice. Climbing most of these five-thousanders doesn’t require technical climbing experience, but you do need to be in very good physical shape and to have acclimatized sufficiently for the high altitude.

Our climbing team is formed by professional mountain guides, who all have many years experience in mountaineering. Before setting off, they will give you basic instructions about the use of the equipment and about the climbing route. On all our climbing tours, 1 guide taxes maximum 2 clients on his rope.

Carihuairazo mountain

CARIHUAIRAZO (5018 m./16496 ft.)

Carihuairazo – the name means ‘mountain of the wind’ – is a collapsed volcano near Chimborazo. A good trip for those who want to practice the use of crampons and ice axe, as well as acclimatization for the highest peaks of Ecuador.

Day 1

We leave Riobamba at 9.30 by car and drive for 1,5 hours to the foot of Carihuairazo volcano. In the afternoon we make a short hike on the paramo grasslands for acclimatization, and then we take a rest in the refuge at 4200 m. / 13.780 ft.

Day 2

At 4.00 we leave the refuge. After about 2 hours of trekking, we reach the glacier and then continue for another 3 hours to the central peak. The descent to the base camp takes about 3 hours. From there we return by car to Riobamba. Arrival at Riobamba at about 14.00

Inclusive:

Mountain guide (1 guide climbs with a maximum of 2 people)
Private transportation from / to Riobamba
Accommodation in refuge
Meals and coffee, tea, coca tea, purified drinking water
Climbing equipment

Iliniza Norte Volcano

NORTH ILINIZA (5126 m./16817 ft.)

The summit of Iliniza Norte is the easy one of the twin-peaked mountain Ilinizas. It is a rocky mountain with no permanent snow, and an ideal acclimatization climb. With clear weather you will have marvelous views of Cotopaxi.

Day 1

We leave Riobamba at 8.30 and drive for about 3 hours to the foot of the Ilinizas. At the La Virgen area (4240 m. / 13.910 ft.) we will start the 3-hour hike up to the Nuevos Horizontes refuge at 4650 m. / 15.256 ft. During this hike you will have to carry your backpack with the climbing gear.

Day 2

At 4.00 we leave the refuge. The climb to the summit takes 4 to 5 hours, and the descent takes 2 to 3 hours. After the descent we have lunch in a restaurant and then drive back to Riobamba.

Arrive at about 16:00.

Inclusive:

Mountain guide (1 guide climbs with a maximum of 2 people)
Private transportation from / to Riobamba
Accommodation in refuge
Meals and coffee, tea, coca tea, purified drinking water
Climbing equipment
Entrance permit Ilinizas reserve

Iliniza volcano, Sur

SOUTH ILINIZA (5263 m./17267 ft.)

The ascent of Iliniza Sur, the sixth highest summit of Ecuador, is a real challenge for experienced mountaineers. This mountain has steep ice walls (some are 80 degrees) and many crevasses. Previous experience in ice climbing is a must.

Day 1

Day 2

At 3.00 we leave the refuge. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the glacier, and the rest of the ascent will take about 4 hours, but depending on the ice conditions this may take longer. After the descent we have lunch in a restaurant and then drive back to Riobamba.

Arrive at about 17.00.

Inclusive:

Guide-driver with knowledge of bike mechanics
Private transportation / support vehicle when you ride the bike
Lunch and coffee, tea, purified water
Mountain bike with helmet, knee and elbow protectors, gloves, balaclava and goggles
Entrance permit Chimborazo Reserve

Cotopaxi Volcano

COTOPAXI (5897 m./19357 ft.)

Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. It has a perfect cone-shaped peak and snow-covered crater, and it is the main attraction of the Cotopaxi National Park. The ascent is not technically difficult, but a sufficient acclimatization and good physical condition are essential for this climb.

Day 1

We leave Riobamba at 9.00 by car and drive for 2,5 hours north on the Panamerican Highway to the entrance of the Cotopaxi National Park. We continue for another 30 kilometers up to the parking place (4600 m. / 15.092 ft.). After a 50-minute hike we arrive at the refuge (4800 m. / 15.748 ft.) In the afternoon the guide will teach you how to use the equipment in a climbing practice on the glacier. Dinner and rest in the refuge.

Day 2

At about 1.00, when the snow is still hard, we start the ascent. The total climbing time to the summit is 6 – 7 hours. You will pass the big round crater which is more than 500 m. / 1.641 ft. wide. The descent to the refuge takes about 3 hours. In the afternoon we have lunch in a restaurant and then return to Riobamba.

Arrival at about 15:00

Inclusive:

Mountain guide (1 guide climbs with a maximum of 2 people)
Private transportation from / to Riobamba
Accommodation in refuge
Meals and coffee, tea, coca tea, purified drinking water
Climbing equipment
Entrance permit Cotopaxi National Park

Chimborazo Volcano

CHIMBORAZO (6310 m./20703 ft.)

The summit of Chimborazo is not only the highest of Ecuador but also, due to the earth’s equatorial bulge, the farthest point on the earth’s surface from the center of the earth. This massive mountain was formed by he remains of two ancient volcanoes and has five summits. On our climbing tour you can reach the Veintimilla summit (6267 m. / 20.561 ft. ) and the maximum Whymper summit (6310 m. / 20.702 ft.). This climb is not apt for beginners; the route to the Whymper summit has some rocky and icy sections, which do require previous mountaineering experience. You also need a very good acclimatization plus an excellent physical condition.

Day 1

We leave Riobamba at 10.00 and drive for 1 hour to Chimborazo’s first refuge, at 4800 m. / 15.749 ft. From here we walk for 45 minutes with our equipment to the Whymper refuge at 5000 m / 16.405 ft. In the afternoon we rest for acclimatization.

Day 2

At about midnight we start the ascent. After approximately 2 hours we reach El Castillo (5350 m. / 17.553 ft.) From there it takes another 5 hours to reach the summit. The descent to the refuge takes about 3- 4 hours.

At noon we return by car to Riobamba.

Inclusive:

Mountain guide (1 guide climbs with a maximum of 2 people)
Private transportation from / to Riobamba
Accommodation in refuge
Meals and coffee, tea, coca tea, purified drinking water
Climbing equipment
Entrance permit Chimborazo Reserve
Cayambe mountain

Cayambe mountain

CAYAMBE (5789 m./18.992 ft.)

Cayambe is Ecuador’s third highest peak and, at 5789 m. / 18.994 ft., the earth’s highest point on the equator line. The ascent of this massive glaciated volcano requires a good acclimatization and some previous mountaineering experience, including the use of crampons and basic ice axe techniques.

DETAILS

Day 1

We leave Riobamba at 8:00 by car. We will have lunch on the way and will arrive at the Cayambe-Coca Reserve after 5 – 6 hours. Short hike up to the refuge at 4650 m. / 15.250 ft. Dinner and rest in the refuge.

Day 2

At midnight we have a light breakfast and prepare to start the ascent on the huge glaciers. The normal route to the summit takes 6 – 7 hours. If the weather is clear, you will have breathtaking views of other fivethousanders and of the Amazon jungle. Descent and return to Riobamba.

Arrival at about 18.00.

Inclusive:

Mountain guide (1 guide climbs with a maximum of 2 people)
Private transportation from / to Riobamba
Accommodation in refuge
Meals and coffee, tea, coca tea, purified drinking water
Climbing equipment
Entrance permit Chimborazo Reserve

Sangay Volcano

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