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
Arrival to Quito
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
Hike Pasochoa
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
Corazón Volcano Summit
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
Nuevos Horizontes Refuge
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
Iliniza Norte Summit
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
Cotopaxi Refuge
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
Summit Cotopaxi
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
Baños City Free day
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
Chimborazo High Camp
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
Chimborazo Summit
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
Deaperture to home
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
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
- On this trip, places are still available.
- On this trip, only a few places left.
- This trip is sold out / closed.
MAPS
EQUIPMENT
- Head torch
- Helmet
- Sun Glasses
- Buff/ Warm cap
- Backpack
- First layer
- Second layer
- Third layers (Waterproof Windbreaks, Waterproof pants)
- Mittens/Gloves
- Harness
- Inside gloves
- Carabiners
- Thermal pants
- Ice ax
- Dynamic Rope
- Thermal Lycra
- Gaiters
- Socks Mountain
- Crampons
- Mountaineering boots
- Sleeping Bag
- Battery Groups AAA
- Sunscreen
- Trekking Poles
- Thermo / Canteen for Water
- 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.
2. Do I need previous mountaineering experience?
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.
3. How important is acclimatization?
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.
4. Is a certified guide required
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.
5. What gear do I need?
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.
6. Can I rent mountain equipment in Ecuador?
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.
7. What happens if I don’t reach the summit?
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.
8. How many climbers per guide?
- 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.
9. Where do we stay before and after the climbs?
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).
10. How difficult are the climbs?
- 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.
11. What fitness level is required?
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.
12. Do I need travel or climbing insurance?
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.
13. What if I’m traveling solo?
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.
14. How do I get to Iliniza’s Mountain Lodge or the starting point?
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.
15. Can I combine several climbs in one trip?
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.