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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
Arrival to Quito
Arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, where your Trip Advisor will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Quito, Ecuador’s vibrant capital. Take the rest of the day to relax and start acclimating to the altitude.
- Altitude: 2,800 meters (9,186 feet)
- Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Quito
- Meals: (-/-/-)
- Distance: 40 km from the airport
- Duration: 45 - minutes transfer
Day 2
Hike to Pasochoa
We will pick you up at 8:00 am. Then we will drive for two hours to get to Pasochoa parking lot. We will then hike through a large forest and when we are in the middle of it, a 4230 -meter summit will appear. There is a steep sloop on the ascent, but once there we will have beautiful views. We will drive to Machachi village. Overnight at Ilinizas Mountain Lodge.
- Altitude: 4230 meters (13,778 feet)
- Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 40-45 km
- Duration: 1 hour
Day 3
Hike to El Corazón Volcano
From El Chaupi village, we will start early in the morning after breakfast at 7:00 am. We will drive up to the trailhead (13,120ft/4.000m), where we start our hike. The first part of the hike takes us up through the small Andean grass. Then we will get on the sandy and scramble section, which leads to Corazón summit. The hike is about 4-6 hours long. Return to the Lodge.
- Altitude: 4,788 meters (15,708 feet)
- Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 10 km (round trip)
- Duration: 4-6 hour (including summit time)
Day 4
Hike to Nuevos Horizontes Refuge
Our adventure starts in the morning at 10:00 am. We´ll drive to La Virgen parking lot (3,900m), the starting point of our trek. From here, we embark on a 3-hour hike through rugged terrain and stunning landscapes, ascending to the Nuevos Horizontes Refuge. The air thins as we gain altitude, and the beauty of the Andean highlands surrounds us with every step.
- Altitude: 4,700 meters (15,420 feet)
- Accommodations: Nuevos Horizontes Refuge
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 5 km
- Duration: 2-3 hour
Day 5
Iliniza Norte Summit
Our climbing day starts at 5 am. We will have a light breakfast, pack our climbing equipment and leave the refuge an hour later. We will continue hiking up towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then to Illiniza Norte summit (16,818ft/ 5.126 m). The approach to the top involves an easy 3-hour scrambling. Once at the summit, we will enjoy and admire the beautiful surroundings.
- Altitude: 5,126 meters (16,818 feet)
- Accommodations: : Iliniza Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 10 km
- Duration: 4-6 hour (including summit time)
Day 6
Cayambe Refuge
Cayambe is a massive glaciated extinct volcano. It is located about 70 km Northeast of Quito and is the highest point on the surface of the earth through which the Equator directly passes. Cayambe is the third highest mountain in Ecuador. It is characterized by good climbing opportunities and impressive glaciers. With easy access from the comfortable hut Ruales Oleas Berge Cayambe Refuge. We will arrive at the shelter after about 3.5 hours of driving and rest for a couple of hours at the Refuge, until dinner time.
- Altitude: 4600 meters (15,091 feet)
- Accommodation: Cayambe Refuge (Ruales Oleas Berge)
- Meals: (-/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 150 km
- Duration: 3 to 5 hours
Day 7
Cayambe summit
We will wake up at midnight, eat a light breakfast, put our gear on and start our climb around 01:00 in the morning; the ascent takes about 6 to 7 hours. The route to the summit follows a safe glacier terrain to the summit. A gaping bergschrund sometimes presents a challenge in route finding and an exciting extra obstacle. Once at the summit (18,996ft/5790 m) we will take our time for pictures of the surroundings, and then we will head back to the refuge in 2 to 3 hours. At the Refuge we will rest for a while, then pack our belongings and drive to Hotel.
- Altitude: 5790 meters (18,996 feet)
- Accommodations: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
- Distance: 4 km
- Duration: 6 to 7 hours to the summit
Day 8
Quilotoa Lagoon - Rest Day
We’ll leave from El Chaupi in the morning and drive to Quilotoa Lagoon. During the tour, we will stop at an Indian hut and visit the Tigua community to observe their leather crafts. The tour will take about 4 hours, then we’ll arrive at the viewpoint to admire the crater and lagoon. We will descend along a varying road for about an hour to the bottom of the lagoon, where we can take photos and rest. After lunch, we’ll return to El Chaupi after a 3-hour drive.
- Altitude: 3,914 meters (12.841 feet)
- Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/Dinner)
- Distance: 108 km Transfer
- Duration: 2 (hours hike)
Day 9
Hike to the Cotopaxi Refuge
From El Chaupi will drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until getting to the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. From here we will drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (4.500m/14,763 ft) then we’ll hike up for around an hour to the Jose Rivas Refuge. 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.
- Altitude: 4,864 meters (15,953 feet)
- Accommodations: Cotopaxi Refuge (Jose Rivas)
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 1.5 km (from parking lot to refuge)
- Duration: 1 hour hike
Day 10
Cotopaxi Summit
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 getting our stuff ready for the ascent, the climb will take us about 5 to 6 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 to the refuge, which 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.
- Altitude: 5,897 meters (19,347 feet)
- Accommodations: Hotel in Baños City
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
- Distance: Climb 10 k (round trip).
- Duration: 5 to 6 hours to the summit (including breaks) 2-3 Hours Back Down
- Transfer: 3 hours Drive to Baños
Day 11
Baños City - Free day
This is a relaxing day; in this beautiful town you can do different activities that can be purchased on behalf of the passengers. 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.
- Altitude: 1800meters (5,905 feet)
- Accommodation: Hotel in Baños City
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
- Distance: (-)
- Duration: (-)
Day 12
Chimborazo High Camp
In the morning at 10:00 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 the high camp once here; we will stay in the Domes. 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.
- Altitude: 5,300 meters (17,388 feet)
- Accommodations: Overnight in 4- season tents or Domes
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 2.5 km hike
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours (hike including breaks)
- Transfer 110 km
Day 13
Chimborazo Summit
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.
- Altitude: 6,268 meters (20,702 feet)
- Accommodations: : Overnight in 4- season tents or Domes
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
- Distance: 9 km (Round Trip)
- Duration: 5 to 7 hours to the summit (including breaks)
- Transfer:230 km- Drive to Quito
Day 14
Deaperture to home
After a final breakfast overlooking the Andes, enjoy a private transfer to the airport. Depart Ecuador with unforgettable memories of breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural experiences, and luxurious moments. Until next time, Ecuador awaits your return!
- Altitude: 2,800 meters (9,186 feet)
- Accommodation: (-)
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
- Distance: 40 km from Quito
- Duration: 45 - minutes transfer
- Mountain Climbing Local Insurance
- Ecuadorian qualified and experienced local Mountain Guide (ASEGUIM/UIAGM ratio 2 climbers -1 guide)
- Technical mountain equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
- Land transportation and transfers
- National parks fees and permits
- Registration in the System SIB (System Information of Biodiversity)
- Accommodation:
- 1 night Hotel in Quito
- 5 nights in Ilinizas Mountain Lodge
- 1 night al Nuevos horizontes Refuge
- 1 night at Ruales-Oleas-Bergé Refuge
- 1 night at Jose Rivas Refuge
- 2 nights at a Hotel in Baños
- 1 night in tents (Chimborazo High Camp)
- All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above)
- Tents, and camping utensils for high camp.
- International flight tickets
- Meals and drinks in hotels (lunch, dinner)
- Insurance of any kin
- Hotels in Quito
- Tips
- Travel accident and health insurance
- Luggage insurance and trip cancellation
- Other non-specified expenses
This tour is considered challenging due to the high altitude and physical demands. Prior mountaineering experience is recommended, but strong fitness and proper acclimatization can make it possible for determined beginners.
You’ll summit Cayambe (5,790 m), Cotopaxi (5,897 m), and Chimborazo (6,268 m) – the three highest and most iconic volcanoes in Ecuador.
Yes, all climbs are led by ASEGUIM/UIAGM-certified mountain guides, ensuring international safety standards and deep local expertise.
Safety is our top priority. Our guides constantly monitor the forecast and may adjust the itinerary or summit attempts if weather conditions are unsafe.
Yes, we provide quality rental gear for technical climbing (helmet, harness, crampons, ice axe, headlamp, boots, etc.).
Climbing experience is highly recommended, especially for Cayambe and Chimborazo. However, our acclimatization and progressive approach allows motivated hikers to learn the basics along the way.
We recommend cardiovascular conditioning, hiking with a backpack, and altitude training if possible. The better prepared you are, the more enjoyable and successful your experience will be.
The highest summit is Chimborazo at 6,268 meters (20,564 ft), which is the closest point to the sun from Earth’s center.
We use a mix of mountain lodges, local haciendas, refuges, and hotels, including the cozy Iliniza’s Mountain Lodge, perfect for acclimatization and rest.
You can confirm your booking with a 50% deposit via our secure Payment Link, and pay the rest in cash or online before the tour begins.
📩 Contact: info@cotopaxi-travel.com | 📱 WhatsApp: +593 98 133 3483