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5-Day Hike and Climb of Ecuador´s Highest Volcanoes

whymper summit chimborazo

Join IFMGA-certified guide Edgar on an unforgettable 5-day Ecuadorian journey to two of the most unbelievable volcanoes in the world.

Not specified

Andes

5 Days

Jan, Jul, Aug, Dec

Fit

Intermediate


Description

Come take on Ecuador’s two highest summits on this unforgettable 5-day trip! At 5,896 meters, the Cotopaxi climb will give you breathtaking views of one of the country’s most active volcanoes. It is home to one of the few equatorial glaciers in the world. You will then ascend the highest Ecuadorian mountain, Chimborazo, at 6,267 meters. It is the furthest point from the center of the Earth, and was long believe to be the highest mountain in the world.

Our adventure begins in Quito as we travel south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes.  Once at the Cotopaxi National Park, we will hike and practice climbing techniques to prepare you for the summit.

Resting in Machachi in between the two summits offers many optional activities for you to enjoy, such as a tour to the Tesalia Water Spring, visiting the local market, and even cow milking.

Ascending Chimborazo starts from Hermanos Carrel Refuge. After an eight to ten hour climb, the summit will provide us with remarkable views of the surrounding Andean scenery. After the descent, you head back to the refuge, and transportation will take you back to Quito.

We will spend a couple nights in hotels, and a couple nights at the refuges. Meals and personal expenses will not be included at the hotels. You should be in good physical condition to take on this adventure. Be prepared for extensive  hiking, climbing, and mountaineering.

Be prepared with appropriate clothing for mountaineering. This includes personal mountain gear, warm clothes, and sun protection.

Book this trip now so you can tell your friends you climbed to the furthest point away from Earth´s center! I guarantee this will be one of the best experiences of your life!

You can also check out other incredible trips with me, like a mountaineering tour of Ecuadorian volcanoes or a shorter experience ascending South Iliniza!

 

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Accommodation included

- Transportation start and back

- Transport during the trip

- Permit and entrance fees

- Mountain guide expenses

- Breakfast

- Dinner

Price details

Price includes fees and permit registration, accommodation, professional service, and technical mountain equipment.

Price does not include personal insurance, personal expenses, personal mountaineering gear, flights, and tips. Please plan accordingly.


Itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Jose Ribas Refuge

We will leave Quito and travel south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Upon arrival, we will hike to Jose Ribas Refuge to practice technique. We will eat dinner and rest.

Day 2: Summit Cotopaxi

We will wake up at midnight, eat a light breakfast, and head for the summit at 1:00am. After an hour hike to the glacier, we will begin the ascent. Once at the top, we will have ample time to take photographs of the beautiful scenery. After a two to three hour descent, we will head back to the refuge and drive to Machachi for a night in a hotel.

Day 3: Rest Day in Machachi

We will spend this day over a variety of optional activities. You have the chance to take a tour to the Tesalia Water Springs, try your hand at cow milking, go horseback riding, or sample a local deli, to name a few. We will spend another night in a hotel.

Day 4: Arrive at Hermanos Carrel Refuge

We will continue traveling south from Machachi for three and a half hours to the Hermanos Carrel Refuge. Late in the evening (11:00pm), we will start preparing for the ascent.

Day 5: Summit Chimborazo

Leaving at midnight, we begin an eight to ten hour trek to the top, which starts with an hour hike to the glacier. When we reach the summit, we will have an incredible view of the surrounding Andes, with plenty of opportunities to take pictures. The descent down to the refuge will take three to four hours, and we will then pack up and return to Quito.

 

Details

Accommodation

You will spend two nights in a hotel, and a night at each of the refuges. Meals and beverages at the hotels will not be provided for.

Meeting point

Quito.

About the guide

UIAGM/IFMGA-ASEGUIM Mountain Guide from Ecuador.

I am a mountain guide, but also a passionate traveler, climber in rock and ice, and photographer. I spend my free time and holidays exploring new destinations, discovering new mountains and cultures.

I have more than 17 years of experience climbing mountains and volcanoes not only in Ecuador, but also in other South American countries such as Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, and in the Alps in Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Germany. I also summited KhanTengri peak in the Himalayas, and Mt. McKinley in Alaska. This experiences prepared me to lead expeditions in challenging routes all around the world.

I studied 6 years of Tourism in the University, and followed ASEGUIM courses to become a mountain guide. I’ve also been evaluated by ENSA, and completed first aid courses in the Ecuadorian Red Cross.

I like guiding people from all around the world, and help them discover and enjoy the mountains, while reaching their objectives. I speak Spanish, English, German, Italian, and a bit of Russian.

Languages

Russian | Italian | German | English

Certificates

ASEGUIM | UIAGM


What people are saying about -Edgar Parra

Sarah ONeill

5.00

March, 2023

The only reason I give 4 to trip rating is that the first hike at Quilotoa was disappointing. The lake was definitely worth seeing but only going down and back up was not great. We would’ve much preferred hiking at least part way along the crater edge. Even if we only had enough time for there and back.

Manuel Perez

5.00

January, 2023

I highly recommend Edgar and Segundo Parra as your guides in Ecuador. Experienced and goal oriented service coupled with a safety first approach that will adapt to all levels of mountaineering.

Oded Guttman

5.00

January, 2023

The organization of the tour was flawless and every detail was taken care of. We engaged with Edgar through out previous months and he was very responsive and professional. Edgar had a minor injury prior to our trip so his brother, Segundo, was our guide. Segundo did a terrific job, he is very experienced and led us through the climbs with a lot of professionalism and knowledge. We really benefited from his abundant experience and we had a lot of fun.

Carolien Vreeken

3.00

September, 2022

Edgar did not host this trip but Ivan (at least this is what i understood) did. The reason I am not adding more starts is mostly because the guide did not speak English very well what made it a long and rather silent day. The weather did not cooperate which pf course is something out.of the guides control. But rain made it harder to descend and the guide did not pay enough attention to me. Therefore I ended up in the mud above my ankles and the last part of the hike he was more then a 100 meters ahead of me and did not look back once. He tried to make it work, especially with the driving but overall it definitely could be better

Mark Oveson

5.00

January, 2022

This review is a bit misleading, because we didn't climb Antisana and we didn't climb with Edgar. We had originally intended to climb this peak, but we changed to Cotopaxi after a few discussions. Also, Edgar got sick a few days before our climb, so we climbed with a different guide (Franklin). But we were extremely happy with both the mountain and the guide.

Justin Johns

5.00

January, 2022

Highly recommend!

Matthew Fleischman

5.00

December, 2021

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Tatsiana Shakhmuts

5.00

November, 2021

Great trip

Johannes Nothdurft

5.00

September, 2021

Edgar was great. I could talk with him over all questions (equipment, acclimatization, ...) before the tour easy via WhatsApp. I always feel good and save with him in the mountains. His motto „lonely summits“ was completely fulfilled.

Umesh Katdare

5.00

December, 2020

Outstanding job done by Edgar and Ivan who were professional and patient Recommend to all without a doubt

Benoit Feyen

5.00

February, 2020

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Michelle Lostracco

5.00

February, 2020

End-to-end this was very well organized with good communication. The guide was very knowledgeable and took the climb seriously. He was also easy to talk to, spoke good English and went out of his way to tell me about climbing in the region, the volcanoes and anything else I was I interested in.

Adam Behmer

5.00

January, 2020

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.

R.Romendes

4.00

December, 2019

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Rachel La Fein

4.00

July, 2019

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!


 

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