Climbing, Mountains

Ecuador Volcano Expeditions – 16 Days Climbing School

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/ per person
Difficulty

Demanding

Duration

16 Days / 15 Nights

Max altitude

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OVERVIEW

This 16-day mountaineering school in Ecuador is a complete expedition program that combines cultural immersion, progressive acclimatization, technical glacier training, and summit ascents of the country’s most iconic volcanoes. Participants climb Iliniza Norte (5,126 m / 16,818 ft), Cayambe (5,790 m / 18,996 ft), and Chimborazo (6,268 m / 20,564 ft), while enjoying Quito’s colonial heritage, Quilotoa Lagoon, Papallacta Hot Springs, and Cotopaxi National Park. Designed for gradual adaptation to altitude, this itinerary ensures safety, cultural richness, and the best chance of summit success under the guidance of ASEGUIM & IFMGA-certified mountain guides.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport where your guide welcomes you. Private transfer to hotel. Evening briefing and equipment check.

Max Altitude

(2,850 meters / 9,350 feet)

Accomodation

Comfortable hotel in Quito

Meals

---

Distance

-

Duration

Arrival and acclimatization day

Guided exploration of Quito’s UNESCO Old Town: Plaza Grande, La Compañía church, and San Francisco Monastery. Afternoon visit to the Equator Line (Mitad del Mundo). Perfect for gentle acclimatization.

Max Altitude

(2,850 meters / 9,350 feet)

Accomodation

Hotel in Quito

Meals

(Breakfast/-/-)

Distance

---

Duration

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Drive along the Avenue of Volcanoes to El Chaupi, a small Andean town surrounded by peaks. Stay at Chuquiragua Lodge, your comfortable base for acclimatization and upcoming climbs. Evening expedition briefing.

Max Altitude

(3,300 meters / 10,827 feet)

Accomodation

Chuquiragua Lodge

Meals

(Breakfast/-/Dinner)

Distance

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Duration

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Ascent of Corazón (4,790 m / 15,715 ft), a moderate non-technical climb that offers excellent acclimatization and views of Cotopaxi, Ilinizas, and Rumiñahui. Return to lodge.

Max Altitude

(4,790 meters / 15,715 feet)

Accomodation

Chuquiragua Lodge

Meals

(Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner)

Distance

12 km

Duration

6–7 hrs

Trek into Los Ilinizas Reserve, climbing through páramo vegetation to the Nuevos Horizontes Refuge (4,700 m / 15,419 ft). Rustic overnight stay at altitude.

Max Altitude

(4,700 meters / 15,419 feet)

Accomodation

Nuevos Horizontes Refuge

Meals

(Breakfast/-/Dinner)

Distance

5 km

Duration

3–4 hrs

Alpine start for the ascent of Iliniza Norte (5,126 m / 16,818 ft). The route includes scrambling and ridge walking with fantastic views of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. Descend and transfer back to El Chaupi.

Max Altitude

(5,126 meters/ 16,818 feet)

Accomodation

Chuquiragua Lodge

Meals

(Breakfast/Box Lunch/Dinner)

Distance

8 km

Duration

7–8 hrs

Scenic drive to Quilotoa Crater Lake (3,914 m / 12,841 ft), one of Ecuador’s most spectacular volcanic lakes. Gentle rim hike and cultural encounters with local communities. Return in the afternoon to El Chaupi for overnight.

Max Altitude

(3,914 meters / 12,841 feet)

Accomodation

Chuquiragua Lodge

Meals

(Breakfast/Box Lunch/Dinner)

Distance

---

Duration

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Drive north to Cayambe National Park. If road conditions allow, transfer by car up to Ruales Oleas Refuge (4,600 m / 15,092 ft); otherwise hike in. Guides provide technical briefing for glacier school.

Max Altitude

(4,600 meters / 15,092 feet)

Accomodation

Ruales Oleas Refuge

Meals

(Breakfast/-/ Dinner)

Distance

---

Duration

---

Full day of mountaineering training: use of crampons, ice axe, roped glacier travel, crevasse rescue. Hands-on learning on the glacier.

Max Altitude

(4,800 meters/ 15,748 feet)

Accomodation

Ruales Oleas Refuge

Meals

(Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner)

Distance

---

Duration

---

Summit attempt of Cayambe (5,790 m / 18,996 ft) with glacier ascent under starlit skies. Rewarding sunrise views at the summit. After descent, transfer directly to Papallacta Hot Springs for recovery

Max Altitude

(5,790 meters / 18,996 feet)

Accomodation

Hotel in Quito

Meals

(Breakfast/Box Lunch/-)

Distance

12–14 km

Duration

10–12 hrs

Full recovery day in Papallacta (3,300 m / 10,827 ft). Soak in natural hot springs surrounded by páramo landscapes. Optional short hikes in the ecological reserve.

Max Altitude

(3,300 meters / 10,827 feet)

Accomodation

Hotel in Papallacta

Meals

(Breakfast/-/-)

Distance

---

Duration

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Travel to Cotopaxi National Park. Enjoy easy acclimatization hikes, wildlife observation (wild horses, llamas). Overnight at Tambopaxi Lodge (3,700 m / 12,139 ft) with Cotopaxi’s glacier cone as backdrop.

Max Altitude

(3,700 meters / 12,139 feet)

Accomodation

Tambopaxi Lodge

Meals

(Breakfast/-/Dinner)

Distance

---

Duration

---

Drive south to Chimborazo Reserve. Short trek of 2–3 hrs to High Camp (5,300 m / 17,388 ft). Early dinner and rest before summit night.

Max Altitude

(5,300 meters / 17,388 feet)

Accomodation

Chimborazo High Camp

Meals

(Breakfast/-/Dinner)

Distance

---

Duration

---

Summit attempt of Chimborazo (6,268 m / 20,564 ft), Ecuador’s highest mountain and closest point to the sun. Technical glacier climb with unforgettable sunrise. Descend and transfer to Riobamba or Quito.

Max Altitude

(6,268 meters / 20,564 feet)

Accomodation

Hotel in Riobamba / Quito

Meals

(Breakfast/Box Lunch/-)

Distance

10–12 km

Duration

10–12 hrs

Reserved as a buffer for summit attempts. If weather prevents climbing, stay at Chimborazo High Camp (5,300 m / 17,388 ft) or Hermanos Carrel Refuge (4,800 m / 15,748 ft) to wait for improved conditions.

Max Altitude

(5,300 meters / 17,388 feet) High Camp or (4,800 meters / 15,748 feet) Refuge

Accomodation

High Camp / Refuge

Meals

(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Distance

---

Duration

---

Private transfer to Quito International Airport for departure. End of services.

Max Altitude

---

Accomodation

---

Meals

(Breakfast/-/-)

Distance

---

Duration

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SERVICES

Include
  • Professional IFMGA / ASEGUIM-certified mountain guide

  • Private ground transportation

  • Hotels, lodges, haciendas & refuges

  • Meals as listed in itinerary

  • National park entry fees & climbing permits

  • Group technical climbing equipment

Not include
  • International flights

  • Personal climbing gear (available for rent)

  • Travel & medical insurance (mandatory)

  • Extra meals & drinks in cities

  • Tips and personal 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: 16 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 volcanoes will I climb in the 16-day expedition?

You will climb Iliniza Norte (5,126 m / 16,818 ft), Cayambe (5,790 m / 18,996 ft) and Chimborazo (6,310 m / 20,702 ft), three of Ecuador’s most iconic volcanoes.

No prior experience is required. The 16-day climbing school includes glacier training, acclimatization hikes, and guided practice climbs with IFMGA/ASEGUIM certified guides.

The program includes professional guides, transportation, accommodation, meals, glacier training, cultural activities, and visits to hot springs. Personal gear rental is also available.

The best climbing seasons in Ecuador are June–August and November–February, when weather conditions are most favorable for summits.

Difficulty is progressive. The program starts with acclimatization hikes and easier peaks, building up to higher technical climbs like Cayambe and Chimborazo.

Certified IFMGA/ASEGUIM guides provide the highest safety standards, technical expertise, and local knowledge to ensure a successful and safe climbing experience in Ecuador.

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