Climbing

Climb 5 Volcanoes in 11 Days – Ultimate Ecuador Mountaineering Expedition

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/ per person
Difficulty

Demanding

Duration

11 Days / 10 Nights

Max altitude

6,268 meters / 20,702 feet

OVERVIEW

Discover Ecuador’s iconic Avenue of the Volcanoes with a thrilling hiking and ice climbing adventure. This journey leads you through green valleys, remote highland trails, and majestic snow-capped summits. Ideal for mountain lovers, it combines diverse landscapes, cultural richness, and the excitement of conquering glaciated peaks right on the equator.

Day- by-Day Itinerary

Day1: Arrival to Quito

Day2: Hike Pasochoa

Day3: Corazón Volcano Summit

Day4: Nuevos Horizontes Refuge

Day5: Iliniza Norte Summit

Day6: Cotopaxi Refuge

Day7: Summit Cotopaxi

Day8: Baños City Free day

Day9: Chimborazo High Camp

Day10: Chimborazo Summit

Day11: Deaperture to home

DETAILED ITINERARY

Arrive in Quito and meet your trip advisor at the airport for a private transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, adjusting to the highland altitude and soaking in the capital’s Andean charm.

Max Altitude

2,850 m (9,350 ft)

Meals

-

Accomodation

Comfortable hotel in Quito

Distance

-

Duration

Arrival and acclimatization day

Begin your day with an early pickup and drive to Pasochoa for your first acclimatization hike. Ascend through lush forest to the summit at 4,230 m, where stunning views reward your effort. After the descent, transfer to El Chaupi for a restful night at Iliniza Mountain Lodge.

Max Altitude

4,230 m (13,878 ft)

Meals

Breakfast,Luch

Accomodation

Iliniza Mountain Lodge

Distance

-

Duration

Full-day hike and transfer

Start the day with an early breakfast in El Chaupi before heading to the Corazón trailhead (4,000 m). Hike through Andean grasslands and rocky terrain to reach the summit. After enjoying the views, return to the lodge for a well-earned rest.

Max Altitude

4,790 m (15,715 ft)

Meals

Breakfast,Lunch

Accomodation

Iliniza Mountain Lodge

Distance

-

Duration

4–6 hour hike and return

Begin the day with a drive to La Virgen parking lot (3,900 m), then set off on a 3-hour trek through rugged Andean terrain to reach Nuevos Horizontes Refuge. Surrounded by dramatic landscapes, this hike offers a powerful sense of altitude and mountain solitude.

Max Altitude

4,750 m (15,584 ft)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodation

Nuevos Horizontes Refuge

Distance

-

Duration

Half-day hike and overnight at refuge

Start the climb at dawn with a light breakfast before setting out from the refuge. Hike toward the saddle between Iliniza peaks and scramble your way to the summit of Iliniza Norte (5,126 m). Take in sweeping views from one of Ecuador’s most iconic peaks.

Max Altitude

5,126 m (16,818 ft)

Meals

Breakfast, Luch

Accomodation

Iliniza Mountain Lodge

Distance

Duration

5–6 hours round trip

Depart from El Chaupi and journey along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Cotopaxi National Park. From the parking lot (4,500 m), hike one hour to José Ribas Refuge. Enjoy dinner and rest before the midnight wake-up call for the summit push.

Max Altitude

4,864 meters (15,953 feet)

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

Accomodation

José Ribas Refuge

Distance

-

Duration

Travel and acclimatization day

Wake at midnight for a light breakfast and begin the summit climb of Cotopaxi (5,897 m) around 1:00 AM. After 6–8 hours of glacier ascent, enjoy breathtaking views from the summit. Descend to the refuge (2–3 hours), pack up, and transfer back to Ilinizas Mountain Lodge.

Max Altitude

5,897 m (19,347 ft)

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

Accomodation

Ilinizas Mountain Lodge

Distance

-

Duration

Full-day climb and transfer

Enjoy a free day in Baños, a lively mountain town surrounded by waterfalls and lush cloud forest. Choose from a variety of optional activities—soak in thermal springs, hike scenic trails, or try adventure sports like rafting, biking, or bungee jumping.

Max Altitude

1,820 m (5,971 ft)

Meals

Breakfast

Accomodation

Hotel in Baños City

Distance

-

Duration

Leisure day with optional activities

Meet your guides at 10:00 AM and drive to Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve. From the Hermanos Carrel Refuge, begin a 2–3-hour hike to High Camp, located near the glacier. Settle into the mountain domes, prep your gear, and rest before the midnight summit push.

Max Altitude

5,300 m (17,388 ft)

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

Accomodation

Chimborazo High Camp

Distance

-

Duration

Half-day hike and summit prep

Begin your summit ascent of Chimborazo (6,268 m) at midnight, navigating glaciers under the stars for 8–9 hours. Reach the summit—the closest point to the sun from Earth—for breathtaking views. After a 3–4 hour descent to the refuge, pack up and return to Quito.

Max Altitude

6,268 m (20,702 ft)

Meals

Breakfast

Accomodation

Hotel in Quito

Distance

-

Duration

Full-day climb and transfer

Departure day

Max Altitude

~2,800 m (9,186 ft)

Meals

Breakfast

Accomodation

-

Distance

-

Duration

45- minutes transfer

SERVICES

Include
  • Mountain Climbing Local Insurance
  • Ecuadorian qualified and experienced local Mountain Guide (ASEGUIM/UIAGM ratio 2 climbers – 1 guide)
  • Technical mountain equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
  • Land transportation and transfers
  • National parks fees and permits
  • Registration in the System SIB (System Information of Biodiversity)
  • Accommodation:
    • 4 nights at Ilinizas Mountain Lodge
    • 1 night at Nuevos Horizontes Refuge
    • 1 night at Jose Rivas Refuge
    • 1 night at Hotel in Baños
    • 2 nights in Domes (Chimborazo High Camp)
  • All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above)
  • Tents, and camping utensils for high camp
Not include
  • International flight tickets
  • Meals and drinks in hotels (lunch, dinner)
  • Insurance of any kind
  • Hotels in Quito
  • Tips
  • Travel accident and health insurance
  • Luggage insurance and trip cancellation
  • Other non-specified expenses

PRICES AND DATES

01 Pax
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02 Pax
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03 Pax
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04 Pax
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IMPORTANT DETAILS

In Ecuador you can Climb all year, but these are the seasons

High Season: June to August / December to January
Low season: February to May / September to November

Ecuador is a fantastic destination that offers plenty of options for travel lovers. In addition to the Andes, Galápagos and Amazon Jungle are also part of this amazing land.

About this tour

Difficulty: Demanding

Places: ✅ *Available

Trip-code: Number 🔺Ec +593

Duration: 9 days

Participants: Minimum: 2 Maximum: 12

Mountain Guide: Fernando Iza

Other dates / additional info: Contact us!

Legend Booking-information

EZZ – Single room supplement

MAPS

EQUIPMENT

  1. Head torch
  2. Helmet
  3. Sun Glasses
  4. Buff/ Warm cap
  5. Backpack
  6. First layer
  7. Second layer
  8. Third layers (Waterproof Windbreaks, Waterproof pants)
  9. Mittens/Gloves
  10. Harness
  11. Inside gloves
  12. Carabiners
  13. Thermal pants
  14. Ice ax
  15. Dynamic Rope
  16. Thermal Lycra
  17. Gaiters
  18. Socks Mountain
  19. Crampons
  20. Mountaineering boots
  21. Sleeping Bag
  22. Battery Groups AAA
  23. Sunscreen
  24. Trekking Poles
  25. Thermo / Canteen for Water
  26. Energy bars

FAQ

1. What is the best time of year to climb in Ecuador?

Our tours typically include certified guides, transportation, accommodation, meals, and any necessary equipment for your activities. Specific inclusions vary depending on the tour, so be sure to check the detailed itinerary.

Not necessarily.

  • For Cotopaxi: Beginners with good fitness can join a summit program if they complete acclimatization hikes and receive basic glacier training.
  • For Chimborazo and Cayambe: Prior glacier experience is highly recommended due to higher altitudes and longer summit pushes.

Acclimatization is critical. To prevent altitude sickness and improve summit chances, we recommend spending 3 to 5 days hiking at altitudes above 3,000 meters before attempting any summit over 5,000 m. Our acclimatization programs are designed to help your body adjust progressively.

Yes. For safety and legal reasons, glaciated peaks like Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Cayambe, and Antisana require an ASEGUIM/UIAGM certified mountain guide. All our guides meet this standard and have extensive experience in the Andes.

For glacier climbs, you need:

  • Double insulated mountaineering boots
  • Crampons
  • Ice axe
  • Climbing harness
  • Helmet
  • Headlamp
  • Warm base layers, down jacket, and waterproof outer layers
  • Gloves, hat, sunglasses, backpack

We offer rental equipment if you don’t own the necessary gear.

Yes! We provide high-quality rental equipment at our base in El Chaupi, including boots, crampons, helmets, harnesses, and more. Let us know your sizes in advance so we can reserve your gear.

Reaching the summit is a goal, but your safety is the priority. If weather, altitude, or health conditions require turning back, our guides will make the best decision for your well-being. We always aim to provide a rewarding and safe experience, regardless of the summit outcome.

  • 1:1 or 2:1 ratio for glacier climbs (1 guide for every 1 or 2 climbers).
  • This is the international safety standard for climbs on Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, and similar peaks.

We use Iliniza’s Mountain Lodge, located in El Chaupi (3,300 m / 10,827 ft), as our base for acclimatization and logistics. The lodge offers:

  • Comfortable beds
  • Hot showers
  • Healthy meals
  • Breathtaking views of Iliniza, Corazón, and Cotopaxi
  • It’s also the perfect spot for nearby acclimatization hikes like Saquihua (3,900 m) and Corazón (4,786 m).
  • Cotopaxi (5,897 m): Intermediate – requires good fitness and acclimatization.
  • Chimborazo (6,268 m): Advanced – higher altitude, longer summit push, more demanding.
  • Cayambe (5,790 m): Intermediate to advanced – technical sections and glacier travel.
  • Iliniza Norte (5,126 m): Non-glaciated – great acclimatization peak.
  • Iliniza Sur (5,263 m): Technical glacier climb – advanced climbers only.

You should be in good physical condition, with experience hiking for 6–8 hours with a backpack. Cardiovascular fitness, strength, and endurance are essential. We recommend training hikes, running, or cycling at least 4–6 weeks before your trip.

Yes. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes high-altitude mountaineering and emergency evacuation. Make sure your policy clearly covers activities over 5,000 meters.

No problem! Many of our climbers come solo. You can:

  • Join an existing group (based on dates and availability), or
  • Book a private guide for a custom experience.
  • Let us know your travel dates and goals—we’ll find the best option for you.

We offer private transportation from Quito or Latacunga directly to the lodge or trailhead. You can also take public buses to El Chaupi, but we recommend our logistics support for ease and safety.

Absolutely! We offer multi-peak packages such as:

  • Cotopaxi + Chimborazo (9-day tour)
  • Cotopaxi Summit + Acclimatization Package (5-7 days)
  • Climb Iliniza Norte, Cayambe, and Cotopaxi in one trip
  • These allow you to gradually acclimatize and increase your summit success.
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