9-day Climbing to Chimborazo and Cotopaxi
Chimborazo and Cotopaxi are the highest peaks in Ecuador. Climb them on this 9-day climbing expedition led by Rafael, an ASEGUIM certified mountain guide.
9 Days
All year
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Climb the highest peaks in Ecuador.
- Enjoy a 9-day adventure in the famous "Volcano Avenue" of the Andes.
- Discover the unique and colorful Ecuadorian Andean culture.
Description
Chimborazo and Cotopaxi are the first and second highest summits in the Ecuadorian Andes. Chimborazo (6,263 m) is the highest mountain in the country as well as the furthest point from the center of the Earth. As for the Cotopaxi (5,897 m) it is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
This 9-day trip starts in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. During the expedition, we will also summit North Iliniza (5,116 m), a mountain that works perfectly as an acclimatization peak before trying Cotopaxi. In addition, I’ll guide you to the Pasochoa and Pichincha volcanoes. You will get to see a great variety of wildlife and plants as well as beautiful landscapes and snow-covered peaks.
Although the climbs are not technically difficult, it will be a physically demanding adventure. For this reason, it is mandatory to have a very good fitness condition.
So are you ready for a fantastic climbing adventure across the highest peaks in Ecuador? Send your request to book this trip. It will be an amazing experience!
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Permit and entrance fees
Price details
- Not included: Meals in Quito, El Chaupi, Machachi and Baños, personal equipment, tips, additional beverages, travel insurance.
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito - Pasochoa
In the morning, we’ll go from Quito to the Pasochoa protected area. After a 4-hour hike, we will be enjoying beautiful views of all nearby snow picks. Throughout its paths, we can watch colorful butterflies and other small wild animals. We’ll return to Quito in the afternoon.
Day 2: Guagua Pichincha
We’ll drive for a while and then start a 4-hour climb to Guagua Pichincha (4,784 meters). We’ll contemplate Quito from the summit. Afterwards we will go to El Chaupi where we will spend the night.
Day 3: El Chaupi
After breakfast, we will have and easy 3-4 hour hike. Afterward we will return to the refuge, have dinner, and rest for the night.
Day 4: Iliniza Summit
After a very early breakfast, we will hike to the summit of Illiniza North, following the normal route. The hike should take approximately 6-7 hours. Afterwards, we will transfer to Machachi for the night.
Day 5: Cotopaxi refuge
After breakfast, we’ll go to the Cotopaxi National Park and we'll continue driving to the parking area at 4.600mts. A short hike will take us to Jose Ribas Refuge at 4.800mts. Briefing about basic climbing techniques outside the refuge. Dinner and rest at the refuge.
Day 6: Cotopaxi Summit
We get up around midnight, have breakfast, and depart to the summit following the normal route. Reaching the summit may take us 6 to 7 hours. Descend to the refuge and then to the parking area. Then we’ll return to the hut and move to Baños.
Day 7: Baños
Today is a well-earned rest day. After breakfast, we will head to the waterfalls and to the Pailon Del Diablo. Overnight in Baños.
Day 8: Baños - Chimborazo Refuge
Departure after breakfast, heading to Riobamba and continue to Carrel Refuge 4800mts. Dinner and rest at the refuge.
Day 9: Chimborazo Summit
Before midnight, we get up have breakfast and start climbing to the summit. Following the standard route, it may take us from 8 to 9 hours to reach the summit, with good weather we will enjoy a great view of the surrounding peaks. Return to the refuge 2 to 3 hours then, transfer to Quito. End of our services.
Equipment you will need to bring
Personal clothes, warm clothes, Rain jacket, sunglasses, sun cream, gloves, hiking boots, sleeping bag, headlamp.
FAQs
What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?
There will be 1 guide for every 2 participants
How will we acclimatize for this program?
This program is designed to achieve the necessary acclimatization at: 3000, 4000 and 5,000 meters before climbing Cotopaxi. After resting in Baños, we will be ready for the Chimborazo summit.
What is the level of difficulty?
In this Chimborazo and Cotopaxi climbing program, we will take the normal routes. They don't present much technical difficulty and we will practice some basic rock climbing (3rd grade French scale) on Iliniza North. When we are on the glacier, we will practice basic cramponing. We always go over safety and the use of equipment before setting off.
Is it necessary to have previous experience?
It is recommended to have previous experience, but with this Chimborazo and Cotopaxi climbing program, it is not necessary because it is designed for beginners with good physical condition, regardless of age or gender. A safety briefing and practice is included in the itinerary.
Will I need to bring any equipment of my own?
You will need to bring personal clothes, warm clothes, rain jacket, sunglasses, sun cream, gloves, hiking boots, sleeping bag and a headlamp.
How will accommodation be handled on this trip?
Accommodation on this trip will be handled as follows:
1 night in a hotel in Quito.
1 night in Laso.
1 night in El Chaupi mountain lodge.
1 night in Latacunga.
2 nights in Baños.
2 nights in refuges (one in Cayambe, one in Chimborazo).
Can I join a group?
You can choose to join a group on predetermined dates or have a private trip to Chimborazo and Cotopaxi.
Where will we meet at the start of this trip?
Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is the starting point for this 9-day trip. Closer to the departure date we will coordinate the exact meeting point, depending on where you'll be staying.
What is NOT included in the price?
The following expenses are not covered by the trip: meals in Latacunga, Quito and Baños, personal equipment, tips, additional beverages, and travel insurance.
Also, not included: any refund or extra expenses generated if you decide to leave the trip, or for unexpected changes in the the program (like aditional transportation).
What temperatures can I expect during the trip?
Temperature usually goes from 12 and 18 Celsius degrees in Ecuador's cities. While climbing Cotopaxi and Chimborazo temperature can go down to – 8/-10 °C.
I'm looking for insurance to cover my climbing trip in Ecuador. Do you have any recommendations?
Explore-Share partners with Global Rescue, which offers comprehensive coverage including cancellation, rescue, and medical insurance. This ensures that you are protected against unforeseen circumstances, giving you peace of mind during your mountaineering adventure on Chimborazo and Cotopaxi. To learn more about Global Rescue and to purchase your insurance, please visit: https://partner.globalrescue.com/exploreshare/
Feel free to explore the link for detailed information about their coverage options and benefits.
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
Rafael
4.8
(21)
Mountain Guide
Rafael was born in Quito and grew up in the Andean Region. Since childhood he Ioved hiking and climbing the mountains.
In the 80 ' He participated in expeditions in Peru, Bolivia South America. In the Alps and Pyrenees and also in the Pamir Pick Communism of 7500mts.
In the 90 ' He was the founder of the School of Guides ASEGUIM, President for 7 years of the Guides Association and promoted and formed the mountain rescue group GRA.
He graduated as Mountain Guide and Guides Instructor at the ENSA in Chamonix–France.
Since 2000 he have been advising, training and participating in 16 expeditions around the world: Alaska, Aconcagua, Alps, Pyrenees, Cordillera Blanca. He has also trained and counseled Ecuadorian climbers who managed to make the 14 eight thousands without auxiliary oxygen, the 7 highest peaks of the world and Big Walls. Since 2001 he started his Adventure Tour Company which operates successfully up to the present under the name of CLIM BIKE HIKE.
Since 2010 he has been training and participating in the project EVEREST without auxiliary oxygen in one day. He has climbed the EVEREST 2 times, and he has reached the summits of: Manaslu, Shisha Pangma, Aconcagua 7 times, Denali 5 times and the summits of the Alpes Materhorn, Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, Agille. Vert, Zugs Pitze among others.
During his 27 years of experience as a professional mountain guide Rafael has guided more than five hundred times to Cotopaxi volcano and more than one hundred times to Chimborazo, sharing with clients the culture and wonderful mountains of Ecuador.
Languages
French | English
Certificates
ASEGUIM
What people are saying about Explore-Share
Man
Climbing with guide Guillaume was absolutely a highlight of my 2-week Europe vacation. Originally, we were planning on climbing in the Calanques, but the park was closed due to wind and fire danger. Guillaume chose another amazing location (Pic de Bretagne) based on my climbing abilities and preferences and kindly offered train station pick-up and hotel drop off, which I appreciated very much. The multi-pitch route we did was not only fun but also the right amount of challenge, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The communication from the team (Gauthier) was prompt and clear—highly recommend!
Maxine
Luis Silva was a great climbing guide and belayer! He taught me how to do moves that were difficult and encouraged me to try routes that were challenging for me! Because of his encouragement, I managed to complete these routes! I really enjoyed the climbs and completed 8 routes in the Sesimbra/Azoia area. The weather was perfect, no direct sun and cool enough to enjoy the climbs. Explore-Share made booking an outdoor climbing experience in Lisbon extremely easy. Luis, our guide, was fantastic, and the platform’s organization was flawless.
Valeriya
You’re simply the best!!! :))) Explore-Share made everything easy and stress-free. Will definitely use again.
Joshua
We had Léo as a guide for our day climb in Fonty. We were blessed with a knowledgeable, warm, and instructive guide. Communication with Léo and Ivan was smooth and swift. Explore-Share was excellent in arranging everything for our day climb. The communication was quick, and the platform was easy to use, making our adventure stress-free.
Cami
Patrick was a great guide. He took us on an intermediate Via Ferrata at Passo Sella. Renato was quick to respond with any outreach on the Explore-Share platform. The booking process was straightforward, and once Patrick was confirmed, all went well. It was a wonderful experience, and I’d highly recommend the platform.
4.8
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