Chimborazo, Cayambe & Iliniza Norte

Chimborazo, Cayambe & Iliniza Norte Climbing in 6 Days

Chimborazo (20,702ft/6.268m) is Ecuador’s highest peak. For many years European climbers thought it was the highest mountain in the world. In fact, it is the highest mountain if measured from the centre of the Earth, and it’s the mountain closest to the sun due to the Earth’s wider shape. The first ascent was made by the famous expeditionary Edward Whymper back in 1892. The mountain has four main summits.

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Travel program

Itinerary:

Day 1: Quito (2800 m) – Iliniza Norte (5126 m)

Day 2: El Chaupi (3300 m) – Cayambe Refuge (4600m)

Day 3: Cayambe Refuge – Cayambe Summit (5790 m) – Quito

Day 4: Quito – Baños (1800 m)

Day 5: Baños – Hermanos Carrel Refuge Chimborazo (16,400ft/5.000m)

Day 6: Chimborazo Summit (20,702ft/6.268m) – Quito

Detailed Program


Day 1: Quito (2800 m) – Iliniza Norte (5126 m)
We will leave from Quito in the morning 7:00 am and drive through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until we get to the village of “El Chaupi”. We will continue driving up until we get to “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).Relax for 15 minutes 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. It will take us around 7 hours round trip. Lodging in the Hostal Andes Alpes www.andesalpescafe.com

Day 2: El Chaupi (3300 m) – Cayambe Refuge (4600m)
Cayambe is a massive glaciated extinct volcano. It is located about 95 km North East of EL Chaupi 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 a comfortable hut Ruales Oleas Cayambe Refuge. We will arrive at the shelter in about 3,30 hours of driving and we will rest for a couple of hours at the Refuge, until dinner time (B/D)

Day 3: Cayambe Refuge – Cayambe Summit (5790 m) – Quito
We will wake up at midnight, get 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/5.790 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, and back start packing our belongings in order to drive to Quito. (B/D)

Day 4: Quito – Baños (1800 m) FREE DAY
From Quito , we will drive south of Quito until to the Baños de Agua Santa town and 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 (B)

Day 5: Baños – Hermanos Carrel Refuge Chimborazo (16,400ft/5.000m)
This picturesque town offers you a lot of possibilities to spend an unforgettable midday… You can relax in the famous hot springs . After we will drive to the Wildlife Reserve entrance for about 2 hours, until getting to the Hermanos Carrel refuge (15,744 ft/4,800 m), 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 (B/BL/D)

Day 6: Chimborazo Summit (20,702ft/6.268m) – Quito
At midnight we will start our climb to the top of Ecuador’s highest mountain, 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. Overnight and rest at the hotel. (B/D)

Quito –Transfer to the Airport – Flight to Europe or your country of origin.

Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner BL= Box Lunch

What's Included


Services included in the prices:
  • 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
  • Hostal Andes Alpes 1 nights
  • Cayambe Oleas Ruales Refuge 1 night
  • Chimborazo Hermanos Carrel 1 nihgt
  • Hotel in Baños 1 night
  • All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above with B: Breakfast, BL: Box lunch and D: Dinner)

Not included:
  • Personal mountain gear (warm cloths, sleeping bags, sun glasses, 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

Prices & Dates


In Ecuador you can Climb all year, but these are the seasons

High Season: June to August / December to January
Low season: February to May / September to November

Ecuador is a fantastic destination that offers plenty of options for travel lovers. Galápagos and amazon Jungle are part of this amazing land.

Difficulty: Demanding
Dates & Prices: To be determined / Contact us!
Places: On this trip, places are still available. *Available
Trip-code: Number ►Ec-1981
Duration: 6 days
Participants: Minimal: 2 Maximal: 12
Country / Location: Ecuador
Mountain Guide: Fernando Iza
Other dates / additional info: Contact us!

Legend Booking-information
EZZ - Single room supplement
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