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2-day climbing trip to the Cayambe Volcano summit (Ecuador)

Considered a monument of nature, Cayambe Volcano is the best secret of mountaineers. It will be an amazing 2-day climb in a beautiful and uncrowded place.

Not specified

2 Days

Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec

Fit

Intermediate


Description

Cayambe Volcano in the Central Range of North Ecuador is the third highest volcano in the country. What’s more, it is the highest mountain of the Andes above the Ecuadorian line.

According to surveying of the Ecuadorian Geo-Institute, Cayambe has an altitude of 5-790 meters approximately. On its western foot is the city of Cayambe. Its name is, off course, due to the volcano.

Cayambe Volcano is the secret of many mountaineers in Ecuador because it is less famous than Cotopaxi but offers an equally beautiful ascent by a much less traveled route.

In the words of Humboldt after his visit to Ecuador:

“This mountain can be considered as one of the monument through which nature has made a big difference on Earth”

Cayambe is a result of to the rests of an antique volcano and nowadays you can smell some gas emanating from it. It is located 20 km far from the city and its summit is just 3 km north of the Line of Ecuador.

The Cayambe is part of the Central Northern mountain range (know as well as Real Range or Cordillera Real) and it includes other important snow-capped peaks such as the Cotopaxi. From the hut, you can admire and easily access the “Glaciar Hermoso”, an ideal place to practice some mountaineering activities.

Itinerary:

DAY 1: Quito – Cayambe Hut (4.600m)

From Quito we will drive north to the city of Cayambe and then, we’ll change the direction to the west. Depending on the route conditions we will get to Ruales Oleas Berge Hut after 3 hours.

By the afternoon, we will have a talk and some training in a nearby glacier. There I will teach you the basic use of equipment and some crampons and ropes techniques. The rest of the day is for having a rest till the dinner time. Overnight in the hut.

DAY 2: Hut- Cayambe Summit (5.790m) – Quito

We will get up at midnight and in 1 hour we have to breakfast and prepare the equipment to leave towards the summit.  The climb will take us about 6-8 hours. This ascent is more a height challenge than a technical one.

Most of the climb is a glacier walk on slopes of 30° to 40° with few sections exceeding 50°. If the weather allows, we have time to admire the surrounded mountains for a while. The return to the hut will take 2 or 3 hours. We will rest a bit, eat and drink something, pack our stuff and continue to Quito. End of our services. 

What to bring with you:

Small backpack, hiking shoes (better if waterproof), thermal pants, waterproof pants, long sleeve thermal shirt, an extra long sleeve thermal shirt, one fleece or polar, a windbreaker jacket, gloves, a cap, a buff, sunscreen, sunglasses, a water bottle and… A lot of energy!

So, are you ready to climb Cayambe? Then contact us today and we will plan an amazing adventure!

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

- Transport during the trip

- Permit and entrance fees


About the guide

Guide profile image

Fernando

4.77

(13)

Mountain Leader

ASEGUIM Guide from Ecuador

Fernando Iza was born and raised in the Cotopaxi Province of Ecuador and knows the country’s peaks intimately. He is an official ASEGUIM mountain guide with more than 18 years of mountaineering experience climbing in all of Ecuador, as well as in South America, Switzerland, France, and the United States.

Fernando has worked for mountaineering companies in Ecuador, Europe and the United States from a young age. Now, he has set up his own basecamp at Ilinizas Mountain Lodge, right next to Iliniza Volcano, Rumiñahui Volcano, and the famous Cotopaxi Volcano. He has summited Cotopaxi more than 637 times and has summitted Chimborazo Volcano close to 200 times.

Fernando got his degree in Tourism Technology at Cenestur Institute, and in 2021 started studying Business administration with Cuosera.  

He has completed important courses such as:

  • Mountain Guides Course by ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides),
  • Mountain Guides Evaluation by ENSA (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme) in October 2006. This event was organized by the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador and ENSA of France
  • Pre-course UIAGM, an event organized by ASEGUIM and ENSA (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme)
  • Wilderness first aid courses
  • Ecuadorian Red Cross courses
  • He speaks fluent Spanish and English, as well as a little German, French, Hebrew and Kichua

 

The most spectacular guided tours that Fernando has done.

  • Antisana South Peak Open new rout
  • Alpamayo
  • Matterhorn
  • Denali

Languages

German | French | English

Certificates

ASEGUIM

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What people are saying about Fernando

5.00

Fernando is an excellent and knowledgeable guide, and the itinerary is a nice balance of climbs and recovery time, including time to explore a couple of cities. He also made sure we were well-equipped for the climbs. The guides are geared more toward getting you up and down than toward building any technique. It's not billed as an instructional course, so that's not a complaint -- just pointing it out for those who like to use one experience to build to another rather than just reach the summit.

Lara

5.00

Fernando is an incredible guide. He is very experienced and has extensive knowledge of the area. He will always make sure you are safe and comfortable. I highly recommend Fernando to anyone wishing to explore/hike/live/breathe the area. What an incredible experience!

Luis

5.00

It was a great experience. Everything was very well arranged and taken care of. The guide (Fernando Iza) was extremely professional, safe, and friendly. I was very happy about everything, and would recommend booking with Fernando Iza for any hiking trip on Ecuador.

Bryan

5.00

Fernando was a wonderful guide. Even though we didn't make it to the top we had a great experience. We plan to return in the future and make it to the top! We hope to have Fernando guide us again.

Mike

5.00

Fernando is a wonderful guide who understands the Cotopaxi route well. I recommend the climb for anyone looking for a tough mental and physical challenge.


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