Iliniza North 2-day guided climb in Ecuador

Iliniza is a volcano located in the southwestern face of Quito, in Ecuador. It has two peaks, Iliniza North (5126 m) and Iliniza South (5248 m).They are the result of a massive eruption that split the mountain thousands of years ago. And today, I want to invite you to climb Iliniza North with me!

Iliniza North is an excellent acclimatization climb for high altitude peaks in Ecuador. Also, it has some exciting scrambles, perfect for the adventurous hiker! It is an intermediate to advanced level program.

It is possible to reach the summit in one long day. Although, if your goal is to acclimatize, I think it is better doing it over 2 days and spending a night at a refuge.

A one kilometer wide saddle separates the two peaks. And while the South peak is windier and more humid, Iliniza North holds a rocky peak. Besides, its slopes are only eventually covered with snow, in December and January.

The ascent of Iliniza North begins with an easy climb to the saddle that divides the two peaks. From there, we will find cairns marking the path.

Then, near the saddle we will start following the ridge called La Ensillada. And midway up Iliniza North we will find many easy scrambles up rocky hills and some large rocks. This climb is rock class rating of 5.3 or less. Then, we will end up with a challenging climb to the summit, where we will find a small iron cross.

Besides, at the top we will enjoy amazing views of the Avenue of the Volcanoes and the peaks of Cotopaxi, Iliniza South and Chimborazo.

If you want to join me in this 2-day exciting climb to one legendary volcano in Ecuador, get in touch with me! I will be happy to guide you up to Iliniza North. And when you are ready for the challenge, you can check my Iliniza, Altar and Chimborazo 15-day expedition!