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Cotopaxi is regarded as the most beautiful volcano in the world, as well as one of the most active volcanoes in the world and the second highest volcano in Ecuador. The climb up to the summit of Cotopaxi is not highly technical, but it does require a pre-climb glacier travel course. In this program we will Climb Chimborazo Volcano Summit Ecuador’s Highest Mountain, and the Highest Point from the Center of the Earth. Really with this program you will enjoy the best adventure offered by the Ecuadorian Andes.
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Itineraries
Day 1
Summit Iliniza Norte (16,818 ft. / 5126 m.)
We start early in the morning 08:00, we will be driving up to the “La Virgen parking lot” (12,795ft/3.900m). Once there, we will start a 3-hour hike up to the “Nuevos Horizontes Refuge” (15,580ft/4.750m). We will relax for couple of minutes and we took the opportunity to put our helmet and harness for continue hiking up towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then head up to Illiniza north summit; it will take us between 2 to 3 hours to get to the summit (5126m), the way back to the parking lot it will take us between 2 hours. drive back to El Chaupi. Overnight at the Hostel
- Meals: (Box Lunch/ Dinner)
- Accommodation: Lodge
Day 2
Quilotoa Lagoon Rest day (12841.207 ft. / 3914 m.)
We’ll leave from El Chaupi in the morning and will drive the Quilotoa Lagoon; during the tour we will stop at an Indian hut. After we will visit the Tigua community to observe the leather crafts that people make in these places. The tour will take us about 4 hours later, we’ll arrive the viewpoint where you can observe the magnitude of the crater and its lagoon background. We will descend along an irregular road; the walk will take us one hour until arrived bottom of the lagoon, there we will have taken photos and rest. After lunch we will back to El Chaupi in about 3 hours driving.
- Meals: (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
- Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge
Day 3
Cotopaxi Refuge (Jose Rivas 15958.01 ft. / 4864 m.)
From El Chaupi will drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until getting to the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. From here will drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (4.500m) then we’ll hike up for around an hour to the Jose Rivas Refuge (4,864m). Then we will have dinner and rest until midnight. At this point we will pack our belongings and get ready to make our final ascent.
- Meals: (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
- Accommodation: Cotopaxi Refuge (Jose Rivas)
Day 4
Cotopaxi Summit (19347.11 ft. / 5897 m.)
Midnight will be our wake-up time and the departure to the top (19,347ft/5.897m) will be around 01h00, not before having a light breakfast and get our stuff ready for the ascent, the climb will take us about 6 to 8 hours. Once at the summit we’ll take our time to take pictures of the crater and surroundings, and then we’ll head down back the refuge, which it will take us 2 to 3 hours. Once at the refuge will pack our belongings, have something to eat and go down to the parking lot, where our transportation will be ready to take us to Baños city. Overnight in the hotel.
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
- Accommodation: Hotel
Day 5
Baños City Free day (5905,512 ft. / 1800 m.)
This is a relaxing day; in this beautiful town you can do it different activities that can be purchased on behalf of the passenger. It's a free day its surroundings offer many possibilities like: the route of the waterfalls, hikes inside the “cloud forest”, besides, depending on our interest, with an extra cost, we could try rafting, rock climbing, bungee jumping, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc. Night in hotel.
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
- Accommodation: Hotel
Day 6
Chimborazo High Camp (17388.45 feet / 5300 m.)
In the morning at 9:00 am we will meet with the guides to drive to the Chimborazo wildlife reserve. We will arrive at the refuge Hermanos carrel from there we will start the hike to the High camp in approximately 2 to 3 hours we get to camp once here, we will accommodate in our tents. In the afternoon we will prepare and double check all the gear for the climbing. Where we’ll have dinner and get some rest until 23h00. There will be an early light breakfast served just before getting ready with our gear and start heading up.
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Accommodation: Overnight in 4-season tents
Day 7
Chimborazo Summit (20,702 ft. / 6.268m.)
At midnight we will start our climb to the top of Ecuador’s highest volcano, Chimborazo, which will take us about 8 to 9 hours. We’ll get to the summit (20,702ft/6268) in the early hours the perfect spot for resting and pictures of the beautiful surroundings. Then we’ll start our descending to the refuge; it will take us from 3 to 4 hours. Once in refuge we’ll pack our gear, where our transportation will be ready to drive up to Quito.
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
- Accommodation: (-)
✓ Acclimatization Climbing Program
✓ Ecuadorian qualified and experienced local Mountain Guide (ASEGUIM/UIAGM) ratio 2 climbers -1 guide)
✓ A registered and fully licensed Tour Operator
✓ Technical mountain equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
✓ Land transportation and transfers
✓ Accommodations:
▪ 2 nights at the Lodge
▪ 1 night at Jose Rivas Refuge
▪ 2 nights Hotel in Baños
▪ 1 night in tents (Chimborazo High Camp)
✓ All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above)
✓ Porters, tents, and camping utensils for high camp
- Personal mountain gear (warm cloths, sleeping bags, sunglasses, head lamp, etc.)
- International flight tickets
- Hotel in Quito
- Tips
- Insurance of any kind
- Travel accident and health insurance
- Luggage insurance and trip cancellation
- Other non-specified expenses
The Cotopaxi Chimborazo Climb is a 7-day Ecuador expedition designed for climbers who want to summit Cotopaxi and Chimborazo with proper acclimatization, certified mountain guides, technical equipment, refuges, High Camp, and full logistics.
A 7-day itinerary is a compact but effective program to climb Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. This expedition includes Iliniza Norte for acclimatization, Cotopaxi summit, a recovery day in Baños, and Chimborazo High Camp before the final summit attempt.
Yes. The Cotopaxi Chimborazo Climb is a challenging high-altitude expedition. Climbers need good physical condition, endurance, previous hiking experience, and the ability to walk several hours on steep glacier terrain.
Previous glacier experience is helpful but not always required. Certified ASEGUIM/UIAGM mountain guides support climbers with crampon use, ice axe technique, rope team progression, and glacier safety during Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.
This 7-day Ecuador expedition includes Iliniza Norte for acclimatization, Cotopaxi Volcano at 5,897 m / 19,347 ft, and Chimborazo Volcano at 6,268 m / 20,564 ft.
The program includes certified mountain guides, private transportation, accommodations according to the itinerary, technical climbing equipment, mountain refuges, Chimborazo High Camp, meals described in the itinerary, and full expedition logistics.
Technical equipment includes mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, and helmet. Personal mountain clothing, gloves, sunglasses, headlamp, sleeping bag, and personal accessories are not included.
For Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, the standard guide ratio is 2 climbers per 1 certified ASEGUIM/UIAGM mountain guide. This ratio supports safety, rope team management, and better decision-making on glaciated terrain.
All summit attempts depend on weather, glacier conditions, climber condition, and the final safety decision of the mountain guide. If conditions are unsafe, the climb may be adjusted, delayed, or replaced with an alternative activity when possible.
Cotopaxi and Chimborazo can be climbed year-round, but the main climbing seasons in Ecuador are usually June to September and November to February. Weather in the Andes can change quickly, so conditions are evaluated day by day.
