- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
- Gallery
- Booking
- FAQ
This 16-day mountaineering school in Ecuador is a complete expedition program that
combines cultural immersion, progressive acclimatization, technical glacier training, and
summit ascents of the country’s most iconic volcanoes. Participants climb Iliniza Norte
(5,126 m / 16,818 ft), Cayambe (5,790 m / 18,996 ft), and Chimborazo (6,268 m / 20,564
ft), while enjoying Quito’s colonial heritage, Quilotoa Lagoon, Papallacta Hot Springs, and
Cotopaxi National Park. Designed for gradual adaptation to altitude, this itinerary ensures
safety, cultural richness, and the best chance of summit success under the guidance of
ASEGUIM & IFMGA-certified mountain guides.i
No details found.
Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival in Quito
Arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport where your guide welcomes you. Private transfer to hotel. Evening briefing and equipment check.
- Altitude: 2,850 m / 9,350 ft
- Meals: —
- Accommodation: Hotel in Quito
Day 2
Quito City Tour
Guided exploration of Quito’s UNESCO Old Town: Plaza Grande, La Compañía church, and San Francisco Monastery. Afternoon visit to the Equator Line (Mitad del Mundo). Perfect for gentle acclimatization.
- Altitude: 2,850 m / 9,350 ft
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel in Quito
Day 3
Transfer to El Chaupi
Drive along the Avenue of Volcanoes to El Chaupi, a small Andean town surrounded by peaks. Stay at Chuquiragua Lodge, your comfortable base for acclimatization and upcoming climbs. Evening expedition briefing.
- Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,827 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation: Chuquiragua Lodge
Day 4
Acclimatization Hike: Corazón Volcano
Ascent of Corazón (4,790 m / 15,715 ft), a moderate non-technical climb that offers excellent acclimatization and views of Cotopaxi, Ilinizas, and Rumiñahui. Return to lodge.
- Altitude: 4,790 m / 15,715 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Chuquiragua Lodge
- Distance: ~12 km
- Duration: 6–7 hrs
Day 5
Trek to Nuevos Horizontes Refuge
Trek into Los Ilinizas Reserve, climbing through páramo vegetation to the Nuevos Horizontes Refuge (4,700 m / 15,419 ft). Rustic overnight stay at altitude.
- Altitude: 4,700 m / 15,419 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation: Nuevos Horizontes Refuge
- Distance: ~5 km
- Duration: 3–4 hrs
Day 6
Summit Iliniza Norte
Alpine start for the ascent of Iliniza Norte (5,126 m / 16,818 ft). The route includes scrambling and ridge walking with fantastic views of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. Descend and transfer back to El Chaupi.
- Altitude: 5,126 m / 16,818 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Chuquiragua Lodge
- Distance: ~8 km
- Duration: 7–8 hrs
Day 7
Quilotoa Lagoon & Return to El Chaupi
Scenic drive to Quilotoa Crater Lake (3,914 m / 12,841 ft), one of Ecuador’s most spectacular volcanic lakes. Gentle rim hike and cultural encounters with local communities. Return in the afternoon to El Chaupi for overnight.
- Altitude: 3,914 m / 12,841 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Chuquiragua Lodge
Day 8
Transfer to Cayambe Refuge
Drive north to Cayambe National Park. If road conditions allow, transfer by car up to Ruales Oleas Refuge (4,600 m / 15,092 ft); otherwise hike in. Guides provide technical briefing for glacier school
- Altitude: 4,600 m / 15,092 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation: Ruales Oleas Refuge
Day 9
Glacier School on Cayambe
Full day of mountaineering training: use of crampons, ice axe, roped glacier travel, crevasse rescue. Hands-on learning on the glacier.
- Altitude: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Ruales Oleas Refuge
Day 10
Summit Cayambe & Transfer to Papallacta
Summit attempt of Cayambe (5,790 m / 18,996 ft) with glacier ascent under starlit skies. Rewarding sunrise views at the summit. After descent, transfer directly to Papallacta Hot Springs for recovery.
- Altitude: 5,790 m / 18,996 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Papallacta
- Distance: 12–14 km
- Duration: 10–12 hrs
Day 11
Papallacta Hot Springs
Full recovery day in Papallacta (3,300 m / 10,827 ft). Soak in natural hot springs surrounded by páramo landscapes. Optional short hikes in the ecological reserve.
- Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,827 ft
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel in Papallacta
Day 12
Cotopaxi National Park
Travel to Cotopaxi National Park. Enjoy easy acclimatization hikes, wildlife observation (wild horses, llamas). Overnight at Tambopaxi Lodge (3,700 m / 12,139 ft) with Cotopaxi’s glacier cone as backdrop.
- Altitude: 3,700 m / 12,139 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation: Tambopaxi Lodge
Day 13
Chimborazo High Camp
Drive south to Chimborazo Reserve. Short trek of 2–3 hrs to High Camp (5,300 m / 17,388 ft). Early dinner and rest before summit night.
- Altitude: 5,300 m / 17,388 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation: Chimborazo High Camp
Day 14
Summit Chimborazo
Lorem fistrum por la gloria de mi madre esse jarl aliqua llevame al sircoo. De la pradera ullamco qué dise usteer está la cosa muy malar.
- Altitude: 6,268 m / 20,564 ft
- Distance: 10–12 km
- Duration: 10–12 hrs
- Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Riobamba / Quito
Day 15
Extra Day for Weather Conditions
Reserved as a buffer for summit attempts. If weather prevents climbing, stay at Chimborazo
High Camp (5,300 m / 17,388 ft) or Hermanos Carrel Refuge (4,800 m / 15,748 ft) to wait
for improved conditions.
- Altitude: 5,300 m / 17,388 ft (High Camp) or 4,800 m / 15,748 ft (Refuge)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: High Camp / Refuge
Day 16
Return Home
Private transfer to Quito International Airport for departure. End of services.
Meals: Breakfast
- Professional IFMGA / ASEGUIM-certified mountain guides
- Private ground transportation
- Hotels, lodges, haciendas & refuges
- Meals as listed in itinerary
- National park entry fees & climbing permits
- Group technical climbing equipment
- International flights
- Personal climbing gear (available for rent)
- Travel & medical insurance (mandatory)
- Extra meals & drinks in cities
- Tips and personal expenses
No previous technical mountaineering experience is required. The itinerary includes progressive acclimatization hikes and training days that prepare you step-by-step for Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. Our ASEGUIM-certified guides teach all necessary skills.
You will attempt two major summits:
Cotopaxi: 5,897 m / 19,347 ft
Chimborazo: 6,268 m / 20,564 ft (the highest mountain in Ecuador and closest point to the sun)
Participants should have good cardiovascular fitness and be able to hike 5–7 hours per day. Previous high-altitude experience helps but is not mandatory.
Yes. All climbs are led by ASEGUIM-certified (Ecuador’s official mountain guide association) and/or UIAGM/IFMGA certified guides for maximum safety and professionalism.
Yes. This 16-day itinerary is designed to progressively increase altitude with hikes to Andean lakes, ridges, and mid-altitude peaks before attempting major summits.
Technical climbing gear is included (crampons, harness, helmet, ice axe).
A detailed packing list will be provided, but you should bring:
warm layers, waterproof jacket, gloves, gaiters, sunglasses, thermal clothing, and a backpack.
Accommodation includes:
Andean mountain lodges
Local haciendas
Refugios such as José Rivas (Cotopaxi) and Carrel Refuge or High Camp Domes (Chimborazo)
Yes, full meals are included during the expedition. We provide nutritious and high-energy meals suitable for high-altitude performance.
The expedition operates year-round, but the best climbing windows are:
June–September
November–February
Ecuador’s climate is highly unpredictable, but these periods tend to offer better summit conditions.
You can secure your dates with a deposit payment. The remainder is paid before the expedition begins. We will send you an official payment link and instructions.