Andrew Eremenko
5.00
June, 2016
Cayambe, Chimborazo 5 Day Guided Climb
Edgar Parra is an excellent mountain guide. He cares about clients very well. Everything went super smoothly. I enjoyed the trip a lot!
Angela deJong
5.00
January, 2024
Cayambe, Chimborazo 5 Day Guided Climb
I have travelled for several years to climb and hike mountains all over the world. I've had numerous guides, many of which were wonderful. However, I have to say, Edgar Parra has been the best climbing guide I've ever had. He was extremely professional, on time, motivated, encouraging, explained everything and translated for me (due to my lack of Spanish), adjusted our schedule when we had bad weather to ensure we were safe and yet still has a good experience climbing, and has a passion for mountains and climbing like nobody I've ever met before. I will most certainly come back to Ecudor specifically because of Edgar and his positive outlook on life and passion for mountain climbing. I would recommend him to anyone wanting to climb the mountains in Ecuador many of the other other countries he climbs in (Peru, Bolivia, and Russion to name a few more).
Luis E Valdes
5.00
February, 2009
Chimborazo climb with preparation in Cayambe and Illiniza
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.
Gabriel Mongeau
5.00
May, 2030
2-day ascent to Iliniza North
The trip was amazing ! Raphael was highly knowledgable and I had a great time.
Tim Edinger
5.00
June, 2025
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
I had an excellent experience with Andean Summit Adventure during my recent climb of Volcano Cotopaxi. Elisabeth did a tremendous job coordinating all of the logistics details for my trip while I was still in the United States. Jaime Vargas, my guide, provided a first-rate, safe, and excellent experience during the climb itself. I was completely happy with the support that Andean Summit Adventure provided me and I highly recommend them as a tour/guide service for outings in South America.
Gareth Treharne
5.00
June, 2025
Chimborazo climb with preparation in Cayambe and Illiniza
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Michael Langone
5.00
June, 2026
Cayambe, Chimborazo 5 Day Guided Climb
A fantastic trip! Segundo was a wonderful guide and made the trip a lot of fun. Even during difficult weather and when things didn't go as expected, he kept a positive attitude and continued to motivate me when I was beginning to lose momentum. I would absolutely recommend this trip and Lonely Summits to anyone looking to visit the beautiful country of Ecuador - whether you're an experienced climber or not, the services provided by Lonely Summits are fantastic for any skill level or price point.
Mike Burkus
4.00
July, 2002
2-day Cotopaxi Volcano ascent
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.
Bryan McBride
5.00
July, 2016
2-day Cotopaxi Volcano ascent
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.
Dsheard
5.00
September, 2018
Pasochoa Hiking tour in Ecuador
The hole day was a great experience. The drive up was beautiful and fun. The walk and views were amazing it was one of the best things I've ever done. My guide Segundo was brilliant very knowledgeable and very caring making sure I was ok every step of the way. I would highly recommend this to anyone coming to Quito
Alec
5.00
November, 2013
9-day Climbing to Chimborazo and Cotopaxi
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Marcel Welte
5.00
November, 2026
Summit Mama TUNGURAHUA (5.023 m)
I climbed Tungurahua together with Jaime in November as a preparation for successful attempts to climb both Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. The trip was perfectly organized by Elisabeth and Jaime did a great job as a guide. I would absolutely recommend Andean Summit Adventure and I hope that I can do some further tours in Ecuador in the future with them!
Tyler Long
5.00
January, 2005
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Piotr
5.00
January, 2008
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
Jaime was absolutely amazing. He always made sure that safety is the priority, even when I was tired and had problems with altitude. I'd climb any mountain with him!
John Stansfield
5.00
January, 2021
Three-day mountaineering tour to Cotopaxi summit
Edgar Parra is a great guide: thoroughly professional, safety conscious, always on time and with an engaging personality. He came highly recommended and I can only heap additional praise. He guided my son and I up Cotopaxi to a successful summit and made it a trip of a lifetime. In so far as putting my money where my mouth is, I plan to hire him in the future (2020) with my entire family for a trip to Machu Picchu. No better praise than a repeat customer.
John Stansfield
5.00
January, 2022
Three-day mountaineering tour to Cotopaxi summit
Edgar is an amazing guide. He is incredibly knowledgeable and encouraging. The combination makes you feel confident in the things that he teaches you and in your ability to reach the summit.
Chase Taylor
4.00
March, 2002
Chimborazo climb with preparation in Cayambe and Illiniza
The traveller did not leave a comment.
The Reality Twister
4.00
March, 2014
Chimborazo climb with preparation in Cayambe and Illiniza
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.
jw and sharlene
5.00
May, 2007
5 summit mountaineering tour in Ecuador
we had a great time with the guide, knows his buissnis , he took wonderfull shots from us at tungurahua during the climb. im sure he would have made great pics aswell during the cotopaxi climb, very experienced guide indeed, and a friendly man with nice girlfriend elisabeth who went with us to tungurahua refugio, and he can cook
Devin
5.00
May, 2013
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
Amazing experience. Wonderful guide Diego. Can’t wait to get back and summit another volcano.
Steven MISHOE
5.00
June, 2020
Cayambe, Chimborazo 5 Day Guided Climb
Edgar was an excellent guide. I have little climbing experience and Edgar was very knowledgeable and instructive. He is a life long climber and he has tons of experience and passion climbing through out the world. He was pleasant and a very nice guy. Unfortunately, the weather was very bad while I was in Ecuador so Edgar came up with a great alternative climb to Cayambe, which was not in good condition due to storms. He knows the mountains like the back of his hand and can relay tons of information, which makes the trip that much more enjoyable. His 4x4 transport and climbing equipment were all top notch. He understood safety and made sure to avoid unnecessary risks. I will climb with Edgar again.
Barbara Matter
5.00
July, 2023
Cayambe plus 4 more summits 11 day guided climb
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Free Flying
5.00
October, 2027
Rock climbing day at El Rodadero E35, near Quito
Great day of climbing in a beautiful location with an excellent guide. Thanks Felipe for a perfect day of climbing.
Nora Hertig
5.00
November, 2007
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Paul Walprecht
5.00
November, 2018
Climbing trip to Cayambe and acclimatization ascents
Had an amazing time with my guide Ramiro. He selected the perfect mix of mountains in order to properly acclimatize so I could achieve the summit of Cayambe. With his vast experience of more than three decades he was able to teach me a lot of skills and know-how along the way so I’d always feel safe on the mountains. I can only recommend a trip with Ramiro. You’re definitely in good hands and going to make wonderful experiences.
Dick Fields
5.00
December, 2002
Cayambe plus 4 more summits 11 day guided climb
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Adam Burrage
5.00
December, 2010
Chimborazo climb with preparation in Cayambe and Illiniza
Great experience climbing with Fernando: Well organised and we made the summit with him on Chimborazo. I'd recommend him for guiding in Ecuador.
John Irish
5.00
December, 2006
9-day Climbing to Chimborazo and Cotopaxi
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Philippe Coopmans
3.00
December, 2014
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
I found it pretty expensive to have a private guide. The climb was only 8 hours in total and costs me €570,-. Well, that’s the only complain i have. The service all over was great. Jaime was not my guide so i can rate him, it was Juan of course. He was an ok guide, sometimes a bit hurry up. And next time it would be good to get some more explanations about the dangers of the glacier. I’ve spoken to some real mountaineers and found out there were far more dangers then i realized when climbing the cotopaxi. Maybe something for you guys to consider next time. Best regards, philippe coopmans
R.Romendes
4.00
December, 2020
Three-day mountaineering tour to Cotopaxi summit
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Adam Behmer
5.00
January, 2007
Cayambe, Chimborazo 5 Day Guided Climb
Edgar Parra's guiding service was excellent. His guide understood the mountain, made sure I understood the approach, and did a good job of communicating. While Edgar can't control the weather, his guide did a great job of controlling the situations he could control. Highly recommended and would climb with him again.
235 Junk
4.00
January, 2011
2-day guided ascent to Chimborazo in Ecuador
Overall very happy with the trip. The guide (not Rafael, one of his associates) had English skills that weren’t great, but other than that the trip was excellent and the guide was very attentive and helpful. Would climb with him again.
Michelle Lostracco
5.00
February, 2008
Two-day mountaineering tour to Cotopaxi Volcano
End-to-end this was very well organized with good communication. The guide was very knowledgeable and took the climb seriously. He was also easy to talk to, spoke good English and went out of his way to tell me about climbing in the region, the volcanoes and anything else I was I interested in.
Shaughn MC Arthur
4.00
February, 2014
2-day climbing trip to Cayambe, Ecuadorian Andes
Fantastic trip. Rafael is knowledgeable, extremely experienced and safety-focused. Great climb!
Benoit Feyen
5.00
February, 2016
Three-day mountaineering tour to Cotopaxi summit
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Andrew
5.00
March, 2009
2-day guided ascent to Chimborazo in Ecuador
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Sarah Hill
5.00
November, 2014
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
We summited Cotopaxi with Jamie Vargas as our guide. It was an unbelievable and perfect experience. Jamie was very knowledgeable, skilled, and personable. He shared just enough information with us for each part of the trip for us to be prepared but not too overwhelmed. It was very easy to communicate with our guide and the company before the trip. The food was really nice and the whole experience staying at the refuge and meeting other climbers and guides. We were very confident in Jamie’s skills and ability to keep us safe. His saying “never give up!” was very motivating for our successful summit. The gear was all very nice and up to date, we were given every tool we needed. I felt every emotion during this day from excitement, to fear, to fatigue, to gratitude, I cried very much at the summit because it was so beautiful and it was such a big accomplishment for myself and my husband. Overall this experience was our favorite for our time in Ecuador and even one of my favorites of my whole life! Highly recommend Jamie with Andean summit adventure. Worth every dollar as an investment for an experience of a lifetime!
Umesh Katdare
5.00
December, 2021
Cayambe, Chimborazo 5 Day Guided Climb
Outstanding job done by Edgar and Ivan who were professional and patient Recommend to all without a doubt
Maxwell Gregory
5.00
December, 2023
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
Jaime was an awesome guide! Everything was taken care of, he was very aware about going at the best pace for me, and did everything possible to ensure a successful and safe summit.
Paul Ludgate
5.00
December, 2027
Cotopaxi (5,897m), 5-day ascent with acclimatization on Rucu Pichincha & Iliniza Norte, from Quito
Fantastic people ! They were all friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable . I recommend them without reservation
Kaleb Gerke
5.00
January, 2016
2-day climbing trip to Cayambe, Ecuadorian Andes
This was an excellent climb and Rafael is a very professional and experienced guide.
Kateryna Deputat
5.00
February, 2015
9-day Climbing to Chimborazo and Cotopaxi
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.
Renata Fialho de Oliveira
5.00
February, 2023
9-day Climbing to Chimborazo and Cotopaxi
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Matthew Fleischman
5.00
March, 2011
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
Super fun! Jamie is awesome. The experience was way more than I expected.
Pavel Janecek
4.00
June, 2014
2-day Cotopaxi Volcano ascent
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Jan Zehnder
3.00
July, 2025
Climb Cotopaxi, 4 volcanoes in 5 days (Ecuador)
Even though Fernando is a fun and an experienced guide, I can't give him more than two stars. I was quite sick for the first three days so I could not keep up my normal pace. On my first hike I even had really bad balance disorders. This did not bother Fernando at all. Most of the time he was walking very far ahead. While descending he suddenly started walking so fast that I even lost him out of sight. I found him 2km later lying in the grass on his phone. I passed him and he just kept on being on his phone without even bothering about my medical situation. Beside his impatience the second thing is, that Fernando is always on his phone. I felt a lot better on my last day so we went on climbing Cotopaxi. He promised us a glacier school (since I've never used these tools before) but then at the refugee he just said that it's learning by doing. So when I tried to put on the crampons in the middle of the freezing night it of course took me a while. He didn't even bother to help, so my friend had to put on my crampons for me. Instead he just kept on walking. This repeated itself at our descent. I found him 20 minutes later sitting in the hut already. The only reason I decided not to give one star is his lovely wife. She is an excellent cook and kept the house clean and tidy.
Kirsten Yehl
5.00
September, 2012
Climb Cotopaxi and 3 other volcanoes in 8 days
Fernando was an outstanding guide. We (my 16 yo son and I) spent a week with Fernando and did 3 acclimatization hikes and a successful Cotopaxi climb. All were amazing. On the last two, Illiniza Norte and Cotopaxi, Fernando was very attentive to safety. He also read and understood our strengths and weaknesses after the first few hikes and used that insight to guide us up the mountain. We stayed most nights at Fernando’s hostel, it was very comfortable, a great experience. His family is lovely and the meals were delicious. Was an unforgettable experience and we truly appreciate Fernando, both his guidance and hospitality.
Johannes Nothdurft
5.00
September, 2018
Three-day mountaineering tour to Cotopaxi summit
Edgar was great. I could talk with him over all questions (equipment, acclimatization, ...) before the tour easy via WhatsApp. I always feel good and save with him in the mountains. His motto „lonely summits“ was completely fulfilled.
Alexey Volegov
5.00
November, 2002
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
It was amazing trip, Jaime is professional climber and the person who safety guide us to the top of Cotopaxi and back.
Tatsiana Shakhmuts
5.00
November, 2008
Three-day mountaineering tour to Cotopaxi summit
Great trip
Matthew Fleischman
5.00
December, 2019
Cayambe, Chimborazo 5 Day Guided Climb
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Justin Johns
5.00
January, 2005
Cayambe, Chimborazo 5 Day Guided Climb
Highly recommend!
Mark Oveson
5.00
January, 2025
2-day climbing to Antisana Summit
This review is a bit misleading, because we didn't climb Antisana and we didn't climb with Edgar. We had originally intended to climb this peak, but we changed to Cotopaxi after a few discussions. Also, Edgar got sick a few days before our climb, so we climbed with a different guide (Franklin). But we were extremely happy with both the mountain and the guide.
Richard Steiner
5.00
February, 2011
2-day guided ascent to Chimborazo in Ecuador
Fantastic climbs, fantastic guide (Jaime Vargas), and fantadtic crew at Andean Summit Adventures!
Mitchell Smith
5.00
February, 2020
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
Jaime was a fantastic guide and I had for both the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo expeditions. Very knowledgable and you never feel too out of it when you're with him. He was consistent on checking if I was doing okay which I really appreciated. Eliz, who I worked with for coordination, was also great. Super on top of it on making sure things ran smoothly. They both were quick to ensure I had the proper gear to take on these summits too. Highly recommend.
Mitchell Smith
5.00
February, 2020
Ascent to Chimborazo in Ecuador
Jaime was a fantastic guide and I had for both the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo expeditions. Very knowledgable and you never feel too out of it when you're with him. He was consistent on checking if I was doing okay which I really appreciated. Eliz, who I worked with for coordination, was also great. Super on top of it on making sure things ran smoothly. They both were quick to ensure I had the proper gear to take on these summits too. Highly recommend.
Andrew Brown
5.00
March, 2021
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
Jaime may be one of the most kind and capable human beings we’ve ever met. He let us know exactly what we needed to do to be safe on our summit, while also making it a fun and exciting experience. We were not as fit and experienced as we should have been, and Jaime made sure to not push us past any limits. We had an amazing time (even got engaged at the summit!). Coordination from Elisabeth beforehand was also clear and top-notch. An amazing trip that will forever be in our memories!
Keith Cockrum
5.00
April, 2002
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
Jaime is experienced guide and went the extra mile to make sure I had all the right equipment to climb.
Justin Johns
5.00
April, 2016
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
Great guide and experience! Highly recommend!
Omar Saade
5.00
May, 2016
2-day guided climb to Cotopaxi summit
It was an incredible experience. Jaime is an extremely professional and knowledgeable guide.
The spectacular Andes mountain range cross the country from north to south. The famous “Avenue of the Volcanoes” offers many climbing possibilities, from relatively easy day-trips to great goals for mountaineers from all over the world, like Chimborazo, the highest peak in Ecuador, and the majestic snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano.
Country Code:
+81
Language:
Spanish
Currency:
United States dollar (USD)
Getting There:
Quito and Guayaquil international airports receive direct flights from a relatively small number of destinations outside of Latin America. From the USA, flights leave from Miami, Atlanta and Houston. If you are coming from Europe, they leave from Madrid and Amsterdam
What’s the weather like?
The weather and temperatures generally vary according to region and altitude.. Quito’s climate is spring-like year round. It’s sunny and quite hot during the day, but it may be cold at night. You will need cold weather gear for high altitude hiking and mountain climbing. In the coast and in the rainforest, temperatures are warmer. Generally, the country has two main seasons: the dry season (May to December) and the rainy season (late December through April)
Best time to visit:
December and January are considered the best months to climb, followed by June and August, the dry summer months. However, many mountains, like Cotopaxi, are quite climbable all year long. You should note in Ecuador snow and glacier conditions are highly variable, therefore technical difficulty may change from day to day. The best time to visit the Galapagos Island is from April to June.If you are planning a visit to the beach, you should go from December to April, during the rainy season, when it is much warmer and sunny
Tucked into South America’s Pacific coast, between Colombia and Peru, Ecuador is a small country, home to beautifully preserved historic cities and a superb destination for outdoor enthusiasts. In Ecuador you can go hiking, kayaking, surfing, diving, mountain biking, climbing or horse riding, and so much more! This country has a wide variety of landscapes and regions, including the lush Amazonian jungle, the Andean highlands and some great laid-back beaches. The ecological diversity together with vibrant indigenous cultures and beautiful colonial cities make this country a great destination for all type of travelers
What you need to know about climbing Chimborazo
Chimborazo is famous both for being Ecuador's highest volcano and its technical difficulty. Check these tips for an amazing ascent!
Jul 17, 2015
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Climbing Cayambe: Facts & Information. Routes, Climate, Difficulty, Equipment, Cost
Ecuador is a mouthwatering destination for any traveler, most notably for its high and mighty volcanoes. With a cultural twist on classic climbs, its abundance of tall objectives beckons to alpinists the world over. Among the likes of Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, and the rest of the “Avenue of the Volcanoes,” one summit sticks out from
Sep 3, 2018
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Best Hiking Adventures in Ecuador
Nestled along South America’s Pacific Coast, sitting south of Colombia and northwest of Peru, Ecuador is a small yet incredibly diverse little country. The combination of the Andes Mountains in the east and center of the country along with the El Niño current in the Pacific Ocean, gives Ecuador, which is roughly the size
Jan 14, 2019
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