Climbing Chimborazo: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You
4.8
(92 reviews)
Discover the stunning scenery and incredible landscapes of Ecuador while climbing up to its highest point!
Nestled into the heart of Ecuador’s famed volcanic belt, the snow-capped peak of Chimborazo towers above the rest. Making the 2-day ascent to the top of the peak is a worthy challenge for any intermediate mountaineer visiting the region! Compare and book a certified guide for your trip on Explore-Share.com: 1500+ guides, 70+ countries and more than 8000 different programs to choose from. Take a pick from our selection of Mountain Climbing trips to Chimborazo. The mountains are calling!
Top mountain climbing trips | Chimborazo
"Easy booking for a perfect adventure!"
4.8
Read all our verified reviews
FAQs: Mountain Climbing in Chimborazo
What should I know about Mountain Climbing Chimborazo?
Chimborazo sits in the center of Ecuador, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) south-southwest of Quito. The peak is hugely significant in Ecuador, featuring on the country’s coat of arms and was the subject of Simon Bolívar’s (the liberator of much of South America from the Spanish) poem, Mi delirio sobre el Chimborazo (My delirium on the Chimborazo).
Climbing the peak is the perfect challenge for intermediate-level mountaineers and there are two main routes to the summit: the Normal route (which is the easiest) and the Whymper route.
The ascent begins with a hiking approach through the altiplano. Then climbers will begin to ascend the glacier via the western ridge. This requires some previous mountaineering experience and has quite a few tricky and technical parts. Climbers proceed to follow the glacier up to the summit.
Overall, the climb takes two days and will require climbers to stay in either the Carrel Hut (4,850 m) or Whymper Hut (5,000 m). A pre-dawn start is required on summit day to get to the top.
Why should I choose Chimborazo for my Mountain Climbing adventure?
Stunning scenery
Sitting at the main end of the Ecuadorian Volcanic Arc, Chimborazo boasts some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the whole country. As you climb, you will pass through the altiplano, with incredible views out over the rest of the mountains, climb over one of the only glaciers that sits on the equator and enjoy panoramic views from the top.
Climb Ecuador’s highest peak
Rising to 6,263 meters (20,549 feet) in elevation, Chimborazo is the highest peak in Ecuador. Due to its proximity to the equator it is also the closest point on earth to the sun, in spite of being far shorter than Everest. Most expeditions to the summit will begin at about 4,800 meters (15,748 feet), meaning only 1,500 meters separate you from the top of this iconic South American summit.
Combine adventures
Since it’s not everyday that one finds themselves in the stunning Ecuadorian Volcanic Arc, many adventurers opt to spend a week or two heading up to the summit of some of the country’s other iconic peaks. It is quite common to combine adventures and head up to the summit of Cotopaxi (5,897 meters/19,347 feet) or Cayambe (5,790 meters/19,000 feet) as a warm up prior to attempting Chimborazo.
What can I expect from the weather during my Mountain Climbing trip in Chimborazo?
During the climbing season, temperatures at the bottom of Chimborazo tend to hover around 20 ºC and decrease to well below freezing at the top. The best times to climb are the two dry periods in which substantially less rain falls (but it still does rain).
How can I get to Chimborazo?
Any expedition to the summit of Chimborazo will begin with a flight into Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO). From here, you can find a private airport transfer into the city center. Most guides will opt to meet you in Quito and provide transport to the start of the trip.
Which language is predominantly spoken in the Chimborazo region?
Spanish and several native languages
What's the country code for the Chimborazo region?
+593
What currency is accepted around Chimborazo?
US Dollar
When is the best time to travel to Chimborazo for Mountain Climbing?
December to January and July to August
What people are saying about Mountain Climbing | Chimborazo
Adam
Great experience climbing with Fernando: Well organised and we made the summit with him on Chimborazo. I'd recommend him for guiding in Ecuador.
Adam
Edgar Parra's guiding service was excellent. His guide understood the mountain, made sure I understood the approach, and did a good job of communicating. While Edgar can't control the weather, his guide did a great job of controlling the situations he could control. Highly recommended and would climb with him again.
Umesh
Outstanding job done by Edgar and Ivan who were professional and patient Recommend to all without a doubt
Steven
Edgar was an excellent guide. I have little climbing experience and Edgar was very knowledgeable and instructive. He is a life long climber and he has tons of experience and passion climbing through out the world. He was pleasant and a very nice guy. Unfortunately, the weather was very bad while I was in Ecuador so Edgar came up with a great alternative climb to Cayambe, which was not in good condition due to storms. He knows the mountains like the back of his hand and can relay tons of information, which makes the trip that much more enjoyable. His 4x4 transport and climbing equipment were all top notch. He understood safety and made sure to avoid unnecessary risks. I will climb with Edgar again.
Rachel
Edgar was a fantastic guide! We could not hope for better. Kind, courteous, interesting, interested in us and CLEARLY AN EXPERT with safety always at the forefront. We would choose to do any expedition with Edgar. The acclimatizing process was a bit unclear. I think we would have chosen to spend more days in preparation had that been suggested. We recommend asking very directly how many days are suggested for acclimatizing. That being said, there was NO DOUBT Edgar had our best interest at heart and as already stated, we would love to do more mountaineering with him again. He is the consummate guide and a wonderful human being. Lonely Summits provided any gear we needed and it was all comfortable and in good condition. If you’re looking for a well-structured trip with a highly skilled and knowledgeable guide, look no further!
Find more mountain climbing trips
Join our newsletter!
Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.