Cayambe, Chimborazo, 11 Day Guided Ascents
Come and enjoy an 11 day climbing adventure where you will get to scale 2 of the most famous peaks in Ecuador, Cayambe and Chimborazo, with Raphael, an ASEGUIM certified guide.
Andes
11 Days
Sep
High
Intermediate
Description
There are a number of absolutely breathtaking volcanoes on the famous volcano avenue in Ecuador. And 2 of the most famous are Cayambe (5,790) and Chimborazo (6,310m), which you will get to climb on this 11 day trip.
Beginning in Quito, which is remarkably less than 90 kilometres away from the famed volcano avenue, we will transfer to the town of Otavalo. From Otavalo, the journey will begin.
Prior to climbing Cayambe and Chimborazo you will get to see and visit several amazing highlights in the area. Those highlights include several lakes: Cuicocha, Caricocha, Huarmicocha and Yanacocha, which you will get to hike around and admire, and the Fuya Fuya volcano (4,200m), which you will get to ascend. Hence giving you a chance to properly acclimatize for the climbs to come.
Another climb you will get to enjoy, and will also help you acclimatize even more, is Imbabura (4,600m). From the summit, you will be able to see the Yaguarcocha lagoon.
Following all of those highlights, on the second half of the trip, we will climb Cayambe and Chimborazo. The climbs will be long, and at times challenging. They will also take place at night, as both climbs begin at around midnight. However, the views you will get, as the sun rises on both occasions, are, to put it simply, unbelievable!
Cayambe and Chimborazo are spectacular peaks. And for 11 days, I would like to take you to each of their summits, while also exposing you to many more of the area’s most beautiful spots. So send me a request, come to Ecuador, and let the adventure begin.
Would you like to experience a shorter climbing trip in the Ecuadorian Andes? Then join me on this 2 day ascent of Illiniza south.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Permit and entrance fees
Price details
- The price does not include insurance, additional beverages and personal equipment.
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito - Otavalo
We will leave from Quito to Otavalo and spend the night in a hotel.
Day 2: Otavalo - Cuicocha (3,500m)
After breakfast, we will take a short transfer to Cuicocha lake (3,100m) where we will start our hike around the lake to an altitude of 3,500 metres before returning and then going back to the hotel in Otavalo for the night.
Day 3: Otavalo - Fuya (4,200m) - Otavalo
Following breakfast we will hike for approximately 4 hours to the summit of Fuya. Afterwards, we will return to our hotel in Otavalo for the night.
Day 4: Otavalo - Imbabura (4,600m) - Otavalo
Today we will make our way to the summit of the Imbabura volcano before returning to our hotel in Otavalo. The ascent and descent should take approximately 6-7 hours.
Day 5: Otavalo - Cayambe (5,100m) -Oleas refuge (4,600m)
After breakfast, we will take a transfer to the town of Cayambe. From the town we will hike to the Oleas refuge where we will practice ice climbing, get acclimatized and spend the night.
Day 6: Cayambe
Today we will continue to practice ice climbing and continue to acclimatize. We will spend another night in the Oleas refuge.
Day 7: Cayambe summit (5,790) - Banos
Today we will wake up at midnight, prepare, eat breakfast, and make our way to the summit. If weather is agreeable, we should reach the summit by sunrise, where you can enjoy some amazing views. The climb should take approximately 6-7 hours. Afterwards, we will descend to the refuge, and then transfer to Banos, where we will spend the night.
Day 8: Rest day in Banos, city tour
Today we will spend the day in Banos, where you can relax and enjoy a city tour.
Day 9: Banos - Riobamba - Whimper Hut (5,000m)
Today we will leave Banos and make our way to the Whimper refuge, where we will rest.
Day 10: Chimborazo summit (6,310m) - Quito
Early in the morning, we will make our way to the Chimborazo summit. The climb should take approximately 8-10 hours. Afterwards we will return to the Whimper refuge and take a transfer to Quito, where you will spend the night in a hotel.
Day 11: Transfer to airport
After breakfast, you will take a transfer to the airport where you will catch your flight home.
Details
More info
Participants on this trip should bring the following items: personal clothing, warm clothing, rain jacket, sunglasses, sun screen, gloves, tennis shoes or hiking boots, sleeping bag, head lamp.
About the guide
-Rafael
4.8
(35)
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
What people are saying about -Rafael
Richard
Rafael is a great guy full of knowledge and wisdom i could see he had a great deal of respect throughout the mountaineering community he was very particular about safety and i felt like i was in expert hands he gave our group a daily briefing and explained in clear detail what was ahead of us i would recommend Rafael to anyone of all levels of experience and hope very much to have him as my guide in the future.
David
Rafael is the consummate professional!! An absolutely brilliant guide. He is patient, professional and I felt safe and confident in his presence. I also gained insights and tips to improve my climbing. Rafael has climbed the highest peaks in the world and imparted his vast knowledge, which was always engaging conversation at meals. I will actively seek out his expeditions in the future. On Cotopaxi and Chimborazo his two colleagues, Pavo and Ivan were also excellent competent climbers, who ensured that we got down safely.
Alex
Rafael Martínez is the most qualified and accomplished guide in Ecuador, I can’t believe I got to climb volcanos with him. Rafael helped me summit Cotopaxi, Pinchicha, and Pasochoa. He prioritized safety and has amazing stories to tell about his summits of Everest, Manaslu, and many more impressive peaks. He is also fun, humble, and a great person. Once in a lifetime experience for me, as a mountaineering rookie being able to top a 5,900+ meter peak is something I’ll always remember.
Nicolle
Rafael is the best guide I’ve ever had he was so accommodating, knowledgeable, and helpful and amazing communication. Highly highly highly recommend.
Wojciech
Super trip of a lifetime, I conquered cotopaxi and chimborazo. A lot of hard work but an equally great acclimatization program from Rafael. Super man, with great knowledge on mountain subjects, always helpful and friendly. He was eager to tell us about nature and the towns we were in. Everything was organized very well, the hotels were of very good quality, the food very tasty, and the ascents into the mountains themselves safe under the supervision of a professional who watched over and helped. The organization was of a very high level. Safety always came first. Super people, I would gladly go again. I highly recommend, you can learn a lot from Rafael and experience a great adventure with great people.
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