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8-day Chimborazo (6,268m) Ascent in Ecuador with Iliniza and Cotopaxi acclimatization

Climb Chimborazo (6,268m) in Ecuador with acclimatization on Iliniza and Cotopaxi, 8 days 1

Reach the summit of Chimborazo, the highest peak in Ecuador, on this 8-day program with acclimatization on Iliniza and Cotopaxi along with ASEGUIM certified mountain guide Juan Carlos.

Private

Andes

8 Days

All year

Fit

Beginner


Highlights

  • Reach the highest mountain of Ecuador on an 8-day program.
  • Spend time acclimatizing with progressive and effective training.
  • Rest in the best place in the mountains and avoid travelling by car.

Description

Would you like to take part in an unforgettable adventure across the peaks of Ecuador? Then follow me on this 8-day program and reach the top of Chimborazo, the tallest peak in the country.

On this opportunity, I invite you to get to the summit of the Chimborazo volcano (6,268 meters), one of the highest and most popular mountains in the world. Also, during this 8-day excursion, we’ll go for the Iliniza and Cotopaxi mountains, two excellent acclimatization peaks with wonderful views of the Central Andes.

First of all, we’ll start in Quito and take an easy climb to the Rumiñahui volcano, at 4,712 meters above sea level. During the following days, our base will be the San Joaquin Inn, a very cozy refuge where we’ll spend the nights and prepare our climbs.

Please, take a look below for a detailed description of the itinerary.

Due to the progressive acclimatization during the program, the itinerary is suitable for participants with or without prior experience. However, for mountaineering adventures, it’s always important to be physically fit.

So, are you ready for this 8-day adventure in the mountains of Ecuador? Then all you have to do is send the request and book your place on this trip. It will be a pleasure for me to be your guide!

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Accommodation included

- Transport during the trip

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

Price details

Not included: tips, personal equipment and drinks.


Itinerary

Day 1: Rumiñahui volcano

On day 1, we’ll depart from Quito to the entrance of the Cotopaxi National Park. Once there, we’ll find the San Joaquin Inn, where we leave our luggage. Then, we’ll go to the Limpiopungo Lagoon and start our walk to the Rumiñahui volcano. After a 6-hour trek, we’ll return to rest at the San Joaquin Inn and enjoy a delicious dinner.

Day 2: North Iliniza

Very early in the morning, we’ll head to Los Ilinizas Ecological Reserve and, after 3 hours, we’ll reach the Nuevos Horizontes Refuge. There, we’ll have a break and then continue for 3 more hours to the summit of North Iliniza (5,126 meters). Then, we’ll return to San Joaquin Inn to rest.

Day 3: Extra day

Extra day or reservation day in case of bad weather.

Day 4: José Rivas Refuge

After a delicious lunch, we’ll go to the José Rivas Refuge.

Day 5: Cotopaxi

On day 5, we’ll wake up at midnight and prepare our team to start the trek. It will take us 6 hours to reach the summit of Cotopaxi (5,897 meters). If we’re lucky, we’ll reach the top with the first rays of sun.

Day 6: Extra day

Extra day or reservation day in case of bad weather.

Day 7: Ambato

After lunch, we’ll head to the city of Ambato and take the road to Chimborazo. We’ll rest a couple of hours and then get up and prepare our equipment.

Day 8: Chimborazo

On our last day, we’ll wake up around 9 pm and get ready for our climb to the summit of Chimborazo (6,268 meters), the tallest peak in Ecuador.

 

Details

Accommodation

San Joaquin Inn.

Meeting point

Quito, Ecuador.

About the guide

When you love what you do, you never have to work! My passion for the mountains allows me to fully enjoy my work. I have been guiding the mountains of my beloved Ecuador for more than 10 years.

I am an ASEGUIM-certified guide and a member of this great institution.

Languages

English

Certificates

ASEGUIM

Residence

Quito, Ecuador


What people are saying about this trip

Leslie Neu

4.00

November, 2022

My friend and I very much enjoyed our trip with Juan and his team. Juan went above and beyond to make the trip enjoyable and his knowledge of the Ecuadorian mountains and culture was superb! Before the trip, Juan quickly responded to our questions over WhatsApp and gave us an equipment list when we asked for it. Some of the items on the list (e.g., mountaineering boots, ice axes, helmets, crampons, and harnesses) would be provided for us in Ecuador. However, we suggest using your own mountaineering boots because there was not a large selection of sizes or styles to choose from. Also, be sure to bring a pair of non-mountaineering hiking shoes/boots for the acclimatizing hike of Rumiñahu. Once in Ecuador, Juan communicated with us about a morning pick-up at our hostel in Quito. We spent the drive to our first hike introducing ourselves and talking about the plans/options for the week. Juan speaks okay English and we learned to ask things multiple ways so to make sure our questions were understood. The other two members of his team did not speak English well, including his equipment coordinator, so we relied on translation apps and our minimal Spanish to communicate. Despite the language barrier, his team was very kind, patient, and knowledgeable throughout the trip. Juan was happy to hear we had no diet restrictions and were excited to try some Ecuadorian cuisine. Our included meals on the road and at the Hacienda San Joaquin were delicious--we even eat some cuy (a.k.a. guinea pig)! Juan and the San Joaquin staff also went above and beyond when they found out we were celebrating our birthdays and we each got our own homemade cakes! Juan is a very busy guide and is often on the phone with his team planning trip details for other clients. My friend and I were glad to have each other to talk to during long car rides and on rest days. On this all-inclusive trip there were times when he is was not with us, but he always worked hard to give us options for fun things to do on our own. As with all mountaineering, the trip itinerary changed often. First, Cotopaxi was active during our visit and was unsafe to summit, so Juan offered to substitute another mountain and we choose Cayambe. After two successful summits of Rumiñahu and Illiniza, we took an extra day to allow the weather to change on Cayambe. On this rest day, Juan coordinated with his friends to drive us to Lake Quilotoa for a day visit. At Cayambe, we found out the avalanche danger would likely spoil our summit plans, so we worked with Juan to do an early morning sunrise hike to the base of the glacier instead. It was a bummer not to summit, but the sunrise was worth the hike! We could see Cotopaxi and its volcanic plume in the distance. Finally, the summit attempt of Chimborazo went well. The weather and snow conditions were great and the night was beautiful. After climbing for 5 hours, I began to struggle on the final steep climb to the summit. Juan told me to really consider my fitness and ability to finish the next 3-4 hours of steep climbing. I made the decision to turn around, and Juan safely guided us down the mountain in the dark. Overall, we had a great time! When we return to attempt the summits again, we will absolutely be calling on Juan to guide us—muchas gracias!

James Patrick Ragan

5.00

August, 2022

Juan is awesome! This is my second trip with him and I am planning on a 3rd trip back to Ecuador!!

Michael Beamer

5.00

July, 2022

Juan Carlos was an excellent guide. In preparing for the hike in the months before he was responsive and he made it easy. I felt very well taken care of during the whole experience. He treated us warmly with care. When it was time to climb he was very experienced in both technique and route. He got me as far as we could go with each mountain. I would gladly have him as a guide again. I would trust him completely. Thank you Juan Carlos for an amazing adventure. Michael Beamer


 

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