Explore-Share logo and link to home
8 day Cotopaxi Climb
9-day climbing in Chimborazo and Cotopaxi 1
9-day climbing in Chimborazo and Cotopaxi 2
9-day climbing in Chimborazo and Cotopaxi 3
9-day climbing in Chimborazo and Cotopaxi 4

9-day Climbing to Chimborazo and Cotopaxi

Chimborazo and Cotopaxi are the highest peaks in Ecuador. Climb them on this 9-day climbing expedition led by Rafael, an ASEGUIM certified mountain guide.


TRIP TYPE

Private and Group

MOUNTAIN RANGES

Andes

DURATION

9 Days

OFFER PERIOD

All year

FITNESS LEVEL

Fit

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate

PAYMENT METHODS

Credit Card, Wire Transfer and more!

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

4.9

Based on 12 reviews

  • Climb the highest peaks in Ecuador.
  • Enjoy a 9-day adventure in the famous "Volcano Avenue" of the Andes.
  • Discover the unique and colorful Ecuadorian Andean culture.

Description

Chimborazo and Cotopaxi are the first and second highest summits in the Ecuadorian Andes. Chimborazo (6,263 m) is the highest mountain in the country as well as the furthest point from the center of the Earth. As for the Cotopaxi (5,897 m) it is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

This 9-day trip starts in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. During the expedition, we will also summit North Iliniza (5,116 m), a mountain that works perfectly as an acclimatization peak before trying Cotopaxi. In addition, I’ll guide you to the Pasochoa and Pichincha volcanoes. You will get to see a great variety of wildlife and plants as well as beautiful landscapes and snow-covered peaks.

Although the climbs are not technically difficult, it will be a physically demanding adventure. For this reason, it is mandatory to have a very good fitness condition.  

So are you ready for a fantastic climbing adventure across the highest peaks in Ecuador? Send your request to book this trip. It will be an amazing experience!

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Dinner

- Transport during the trip

- Permit and entrance fees

Price details

Not included: Meals in Quito, El Chaupi, Machachi and Baños, personal equipment, tips, additional beverages, travel insurance.

Secure your spot with just 25% payment

48-hour free cancellation with 30-day advance booking


Itinerary

Day 1: Quito - Pasochoa

In the morning, we’ll go from Quito to the Pasochoa protected area. After a 4-hour hike, we will be enjoying beautiful views of all nearby snow picks. Throughout its paths, we can watch colorful butterflies and other small wild animals. We’ll return to Quito in the afternoon.

Day 2: Guagua Pichincha

We’ll drive for a while and then start a 4-hour climb to Guagua Pichincha (4,784 meters). We’ll contemplate Quito from the summit. Afterwards we will go to El Chaupi where we will spend the night.

Day 3: El Chaupi

After breakfast, we will have and easy 3-4 hour hike. Afterward we will return to the refuge, have dinner, and rest for the night.

Day 4: Iliniza Summit

After a very early breakfast, we will hike to the summit of Illiniza North, following the normal route. The hike should take approximately 6-7 hours. Afterwards, we will transfer to Machachi for the night.

Day 5: Cotopaxi refuge

After breakfast, we’ll go to the Cotopaxi National Park and we'll continue driving to the parking area at 4.600mts. A short hike will take us to Jose Ribas Refuge at 4.800mts. Briefing about basic climbing techniques outside the refuge. Dinner and rest at the refuge.

Day 6: Cotopaxi Summit

We get up around midnight, have breakfast, and depart to the summit following the normal route. Reaching the summit may take us 6 to 7 hours. Descend to the refuge and then to the parking area. Then we’ll return to the hut and move to Baños.

Day 7: Baños

Today is a well-earned rest day. After breakfast, we will head to the waterfalls and to the Pailon Del Diablo. Overnight in Baños.

Day 8: Baños - Chimborazo Refuge

Departure after breakfast, heading to Riobamba and continue to Carrel Refuge 4800mts. Dinner and rest at the refuge.

Day 9: Chimborazo Summit

Before midnight, we get up have breakfast and start climbing to the summit. Following the standard route, it may take us from 8 to 9 hours to reach the summit, with good weather we will enjoy a great view of the surrounding peaks. Return to the refuge 2 to 3 hours then, transfer to Quito. End of our services.

Equipment you will need to bring

Personal clothes, warm clothes, Rain jacket, sunglasses, sun cream, gloves, hiking boots, sleeping bag, headlamp.

FAQs

What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?

There will be 1 guide for every 2 participants

How will we acclimatize for this program?

This program is designed to achieve the necessary acclimatization at: 3000, 4000 and 5,000 meters before climbing Cotopaxi. After resting in Baños, we will be ready for the Chimborazo summit.

What is the level of difficulty?

In this Chimborazo and Cotopaxi climbing program, we will take the normal routes. They don't present much technical difficulty and we will practice some basic rock climbing (3rd grade French scale) on Iliniza North. When we are on the glacier, we will practice basic cramponing. We always go over safety and the use of equipment before setting off.

Is it necessary to have previous experience?

It is recommended to have previous experience, but with this Chimborazo and Cotopaxi climbing program, it is not necessary because it is designed for beginners with good physical condition, regardless of age or gender. A safety briefing and practice is included in the itinerary.

Will I need to bring any equipment of my own?

You will need to bring personal clothes, warm clothes, rain jacket, sunglasses, sun cream, gloves, hiking boots, sleeping bag and a headlamp.

How will accommodation be handled on this trip?

Accommodation on this trip will be handled as follows:

1 night in a hotel in Quito.

1 night in Laso.

1 night in El Chaupi mountain lodge.

1 night in Latacunga.

2 nights in Baños.

2 nights in refuges (one in Cayambe, one in Chimborazo).

Can I join a group?

You can choose to join a group on predetermined dates or have a private trip to Chimborazo and Cotopaxi.

Where will we meet at the start of this trip?

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is the starting point for this 9-day trip. Closer to the departure date we will coordinate the exact meeting point, depending on where you'll be staying.

What is NOT included in the price?

The following expenses are not covered by the trip: meals in Latacunga, Quito and Baños, personal equipment, tips, additional beverages, and travel insurance.

Also, not included: any refund or extra expenses generated if you decide to leave the trip, or for unexpected changes in the the program (like aditional transportation).

What temperatures can I expect during the trip?

Temperature usually goes from 12 and 18 Celsius degrees in Ecuador's cities. While climbing Cotopaxi and Chimborazo temperature can go down to – 8/-10 °C.

What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?

We understand that finding the perfect place to stay is an essential part of your adventure experience. To help you with this, we’ve curated a list of three highly recommended hotels that offer comfort, convenience, and a touch of local charm. These accommodations are well-suited for adventurers looking to relax and rejuvenate after an exciting day of exploration
Hostal La Escalinata Cuenca Ecuador
See rooms
Hostal Maison Blue Cuenca Ecuador
See rooms
Hostal Terra 4 Cuenca Ecuador
See rooms

About the guide: Rafael

Guide profile image

Rafael

4.80

(41)

Mountain Guide

Rafael was born in Quito and grew up in the Andean Region. Since childhood he Ioved hiking and climbing the mountains.

In the 80 ' He participated in expeditions in Peru, Bolivia South America. In the Alps and Pyrenees and also in the Pamir Pick Communism of 7500mts.
In the 90 ' He was the founder of the School of Guides ASEGUIM, President for 7 years of the Guides Association and promoted and formed the mountain rescue group GRA.

He graduated as Mountain Guide and Guides Instructor at the ENSA in Chamonix–France.

Since 2000 he have been advising, training and participating in 16 expeditions around the world: Alaska, Aconcagua, Alps, Pyrenees, Cordillera Blanca. He has also trained and counseled Ecuadorian climbers who managed to make the 14 eight thousands without auxiliary oxygen, the 7 highest peaks of the world and Big Walls. Since 2001 he started his Adventure Tour Company which operates successfully up to the present under the name of CLIM BIKE HIKE.

Since 2010 he has been training and participating in the project EVEREST without auxiliary oxygen in one day. He has climbed the EVEREST 2 times, and he has reached the summits of: Manaslu, Shisha Pangma, Aconcagua 7 times, Denali 5 times and the summits of the Alpes Materhorn, Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, Agille. Vert, Zugs Pitze among others.

During his 27 years of experience as a professional mountain guide Rafael has guided more than five hundred times to Cotopaxi volcano and more than one hundred times to Chimborazo, sharing with clients the culture and wonderful mountains of Ecuador.

Languages

French | English

Certificates

ASEGUIM

Request more information

What people are saying about this trip

Peter

5.00

my friend and i really enjoyed the trip. Rafael was a fantastic guide. He was informative and great person to be around.Rafael was full of laughs but when on the mountains his focus on safety was second to none, he gave clear and direct instructions and was always willing to help. his vast experience in mountaineering was clear and the respect and admiration from all the other mountain guides we met on the road in Ecuador towards him shows how highly he is thought of. hopefully we can team up with him again in the future. was a fantastic experience.

Kateryna

5.00

Rafael was an amazing guide with many years of experience. The trip was planned very well from the begging till the end as well as acclimatisation. I get well prepared for high altitude. Highly recommended.

Scott

5.00

Rafael is a pro. Serious and funny. He knows what he is doing and I felt comfortable under his leadership. Great experience

Boris

4.00

The strongest part of the program are excellent guides. I worked with Pat and also meat with Rafael. They are Super. Couple suggestions for Explore Share Service. Cotopaxi is closed due to ongoing eruption activities. This segment was replaced by climbing Cayambe, which was fine, but even in this e-mail you continue to call the program "9 day Climbing to Chimborazo and Cotopaxi. It might be a good idea to improve on nutrition, providing dinners and lunch boxes while staying in the towns (with adding cost to overall price of the program). As it stands now, breakfasts provided by hotels as normal and all other meals are on climbers themselves, which is inconvenient for them and for the guides. I would also add 1 extra day between climbing Cayambe and Chimborazo to allow recovery from physically involved climbing prior 5,760 m mountain. That would increase a chance for success on Chimborazo. While it is not necessary, but it would be nice to have a certificate with documentation of outcome (summiting such a such mountains) as many other companies do. I would appreciate such certificate as a souvenir and memory about time spent in Ecuador with good people. All in all the program is very good, particularly work of the guides on the mountains, which is the single most important thing. Pato did an excellent job, providing pace, safety margin and teaching technical elements. Big thank you to him and Rafael, who was in touch during the whole expedition.

Victoria

5.00

Rafael was amazing the trip takes you all over Ecuador and the hikes were amazing with very professional guides, safety is #1 the whole time!

You may also like

Join our newsletter!

Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.