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The Ecuador Volcano Expedition is a complete 16-day high-altitude climbing program designed for climbers who want to experience Ecuador’s most iconic volcanoes with a progressive and professionally guided itinerary. The expedition includes acclimatization climbs on Corazón and Iliniza Norte before moving into glacier terrain on Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. This progression helps climbers build altitude adaptation, endurance and confidence before attempting Chimborazo, the highest mountain in Ecuador. This program is ideal for fit hikers, trekkers and mountaineers looking for a serious Ecuador volcano climbing expedition with professional guides, organized logistics, glacier training and spectacular Andean landscapes.
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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
Alpine start for the Chimborazo summit attempt. Climbers ascend through high-altitude glacier terrain toward the summit of Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest mountain at 6,268 m / 20,564 ft. After reaching the highest safe point according to weather, glacier conditions and guide evaluation, the team descends to High Camp or the refuge and transfers to Riobamba or Quito.
- 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 ASEGUIM / IFMGA-certified mountain guides
- Private ground transportation according to the itinerary
- Accommodation in hotels, lodges and mountain refuges according to the program
- Meals specified in the itinerary
- National park logistics and entrance arrangements when required
- Technical climbing gear: mountaineering boots, helmet, ice axe, crampons and harness
- Group technical equipment: ropes, snow pickets, carabiners and safety equipment
- Glacier training and rope team practice
- Pre-expedition support and packing list assistance
- Mountain logistics coordination by Cotopaxi Travel
- International flights to/from Ecuador
- Travel and climbing insurance
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Personal clothing and equipment such as warm layers, waterproof jacket and pants, gloves, headlamp, sunglasses and sleeping bag
- Alcoholic beverages and personal expenses
- Tips for guides and staff
- Extra hotel nights or additional services not listed in the itinerary
- Costs caused by early departure, evacuation, altitude sickness, weather conditions or personal decisions
The Ecuador Volcano Expedition is a 16-day guided mountaineering program designed to climb some of Ecuador’s most iconic volcanoes, including Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. The itinerary also includes acclimatization climbs such as Corazón and Iliniza Norte.
The main glacier volcanoes included are Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. The program also includes acclimatization climbs before the higher summit attempts.
This is a challenging high-altitude expedition. Climbers need good physical condition, endurance and the ability to hike for several hours in cold, windy and high-altitude mountain conditions.
Previous mountaineering experience is recommended but not always mandatory. Fit hikers with strong endurance can join if they are comfortable following guide instructions and learning basic glacier travel techniques during the expedition.
The highest mountain is Chimborazo, at 6,268 m / 20,564 ft. Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador and the final major objective of the expedition.
Yes. The expedition includes professional mountain guides experienced in Ecuador’s volcanoes, glacier terrain and high-altitude logistics. For glacier climbs, the standard ratio is usually 1 guide for every 2 climbers.
Yes. Technical climbing gear is included for the glacier climbs: mountaineering boots, helmet, ice axe, crampons and harness. Other personal clothing and equipment such as warm layers, waterproof jacket and pants, gloves, headlamp, sunglasses and sleeping bag are not included unless clearly specified in the final proposal.
The expedition can be operated year-round, but the most common climbing seasons in Ecuador are from November to February and from June to mid-September. Weather in the Andes can change quickly at any time of year.
No. Summit success cannot be guaranteed in high-altitude mountaineering. Weather, glacier conditions, altitude response, health and guide evaluation all influence the final decision. Safety and professional mountain judgment always come first.
You can secure your dates with a deposit payment. After confirmation, Cotopaxi Summit will send the official payment link, booking details, packing list and pre-expedition instructions.