Chimborazo The 15 Day Ultimate Climbing Adventure
Need a challenge? Then Climb Chimborazo in Ecuador! Break the 6000m barrier and summit Chimborazo! That is after experiencing an action packed itinerary all over Quito and Cotopaxi National Park. This is like the 12 day intro and climbing adventure but with a serious mountain challenge at the end. Includes a five day acclimatisation programme on some other impressive peaks.
Chimborazo: The 15 Day Ultimate Climbing Adventure
The first part of the trip is made up with the 12 Day Ecuador Adrenaline Overload and Climbing Adventure
Highlights
- Quito, the highest capital city in the world.
- White water rafting in the Andes
- Horseback riding and staying in the Avenue of the Volcanoes
- Straddling the equator at the Mitad del Mundo
- Visiting the stunning market town of Otovalo.
- Stunning lagoons, National Parks and epic landscapes
Then a five day acclimatisation climbing adventure!
The five day acclimatisation programme is designed to educate and instruct people in high altitude mountain climbing of 4,000 – 6,000m.
With a mountain base in PapaGayo nestled in the Avenue of the Volcanoes a perfect location because of its altitude (3,200m) and proximity to the volcanoes you will be taught the skills and techniques of high alpine climbing.
Fully supported with the assistance of a qualified and bilingual guide, this program acclimatizes and increases the fitness of climbers so it is possible to make a successful climb of some of the highest volcanoes in South America!
Summit three peaks
In five days you will reach the summit of three of Ecuador’s most famous volcanoes, the last being the mighty Cotopaxi which is the highest active volcano in the world!
These climbs offer spectacular and unsurpassed views of Ecuador and the Avenue of Volcanoes.
No experience needed
Specially designed, this program enables people with little or no experience to gain the ability and skills of climbing some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
Then Tackle Chimborazo in three days!
With the help of an experienced guide you will set off on the challenge of your life! Breaking the 6000 meter barrier to stand at the top of Ecuador! This monster of a mountain and its brutal landscape, will challenge you to the limit. Not only do you have to cope with altitude sickness, you also need to break the altitude barrier of almost 5,500m before you reach the ultimate challenge at nearly 6,403m above sea level, and cross a very scary 30 meter ridge with a 1,000m drop on either side… in the dark! and These are just some of the challenges you have to face.
Photos
Itinerary
The trip is split into 3 parts, the Ecuador Adrenaline Overload and then the Mountain Climbing Adventure and then the Chimborazo summit attempt.
The first seven days, Ecuador Adrenaline Overload!
Day 1: Arrive to Quito, transfer from airport to hostel.
Day 2: Quito city tour
Day 3: White water rafting
Day 4: Visit an awesome local market
Day 5: Mount up! Horseback riding
Day 6: Quilotoa Lagoon
Day 7: Biking Cotopaxi
The Mountain Climbing Adventure
Day Eight: Pasochoa 4,199m (13,700ft) (B,L,D)
- 7:30, A sumptuous breakfast of your choice will be served bright and early in preparation for your first climb.
- 08:15, We will depart by car to the base of Pasochoa.
- 09:45, The first climb begins. Make sure to take your camera, as this hike provides many beautiful photo opportunities!
- 12:30, Reach summit. A packed lunch will be served to keep your energy up.
- 15:00, Upon returning to PapaGayo you will be rewarded with a delicious slice of cake and a steaming cup of coffee or tea.
Day Nine: Illinizas Norte 5,126m (16,800ft) (B,L,D)
- 06:30, A delicious breakfast of your choice will be served bright and early in preparation for your climb.
- 07:00, We will depart by car to the base of the Illinizas.
- 08:30, We will begin our ascent to the rugged peaks of the Illinizas, taking a break for an energy packed lunch and of course to take in the magnificent views these mountains provide!
- 12:00, Lunch
- 13:30, Reach the summit
- 16:30, Upon returning to PapaGayo a delicious slice of cake and a steaming coffee/ tea will be waiting for you.
Day Ten: Day Off at PapaGayo 3,200m (B,L,D)
- 08:00, A giant breakfast of your choice will be served in preparation for your day.
- 10:00, Optional hiking or biking in the area of PapaGayo or relax in the hosterias gardens… You can take a lunch box or have lunch after the tour at PapaGayo.
- 19:00, A delicious dinner will be served at PapaGayo.
Tour Schedule (Note: All times are approximate, except starting time).
Day Eleven: Cotopaxi Preparations 4,800m
- 08:00, A giant breakfast of your choice will be served in preparation for your day.
- 10:00, Pick up from PapaGayo and check equipment.
- 11:00, Depart for Cotopaxi National Park (entrance fee: $2).
- 12:00, Arrive at the parking lot at 4,500m and begin hike up to “Jose Rivas” refuge.
- 13:00, Reach refuge at 4.800m.
- 14:00, Lunch.
- 15:00, Explanation on the climb:
- Crampon techniques.
- Ice axe use.
- Self arrest.
- Roped team travel.
- Pressure breathing.
- 17:30, Dinner.
- 18:30, Sleep.
- 23:30, Wake-up, eat a small snack and gear up for climb.
- 24:00, Begin climbing!
Day Twelve: The Final Climb Cotopaxi 5,897m (19,300ft) (B,L)
- Sunrise, Depending on your climbing experience, you will arrive at the summit of Cotopaxi for a magnificent display of colours as the morning sun begins to flood the sky.
- 10:00, Arrive to the Refugio, after a successful climb, enjoy much deserved snacks.
- 11:30, Leave Cotopaxi National Park towards PapaGayo.
- 13:00, For an addition $10 local payment, a delicious and relaxing lunch will be served back at PapaGayo, complete with a well deserved beer.
- 14:30, Stay at PapaGayo or return to Quito and perhaps order some new legs at this point.
The trip ends here, you can then do some onward travel, with the Ultimate Ecuador Trip, take a trip to the Galapagos Islands or even head in to the Amazon Rainforest. Talk to us about adding further legs to your journey.
Please note: Programme includes the night before the first climb at Hosteria PapaGayo (Day seven).
Day Thirteen: Free day (B,L,D)
Enjoy a hearty breakfast then relax in PapaGayo hosteria, visit the local town or explore on mountain bike.
Day Fourteen: Final preparations to Chimborazo (B,L,D)
- 08:00,Enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting off.
- 09:00,Transfer to the National Park of Chimborazo.
- 13:00,Enter Chimborazo National Park (entrance fee: $2)
- 14:00 Lunch at the refuge.
- 14:30 Equipment check.
- 15:00 Begin mountaineering instruction: Crampon techniques. – Ice axe use – Self arrest – Roped team travel – Pressure breathing
- 17:00 Return to the refuge.
- 17:30 Dinner.
- 18:00 Sleep
- 23:30 Wake-up, eat a small snack and gear up for climb…
- 24:00 Begin climbing!
Day Fifteen: The final climb Chimborazo 6,310m (20,700ft) (B,L)
- At sunrise reach the summit and enjoy the views.
- 10:00 Arrive to the refuge, after a successful climb. Breakfast/snacks.
- 11:30 Leave Chimborazo National Park towards PapaGayo.
- 15:00 Arrive to PapaGayo, and for optional celebration lunch (additional $10).
- 16:30 Stay at PapaGayo or return to Quito.
Accommodation
The first few nights you will stay in Quito and on night four we move to a very nice hostel just outside of Quito in Cotapaxi National Park. Luxury feeling, great lounge area, WiFi, hot water etc. etc! Other than that we use a selection of hostels in Quito and the Avenue of the Volcanoes, up the mountain you will be staying in mountains refuges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What levels of fitness do I need?
Ok, so you need to be prepared, Cotopaxi is high and the air is thin, but you do not have to have any previous experience of mountain climbing. That being said, do some preparation before you travel, as this will make the world of difference.
“I trained for about 6 months a combination of weights and running/biking/hiking. Probably should have focused more on cardiovascular though, and my calf muscles really cramped up on me by the time we got to the summit.” Cotopaxi is 5,896 m (19,344 ft) and it has some really steep sections. “I’m not a professional climber, I thought it was challenging in some places and really easy in others. As long as you are in shape, you will make it to the top and back down safely. Good Luck!”
Are there extra costs for equipment?
What is the guide to client ratio?
Why is this climb so special?
Price
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Included
- Information pack before you leave
- Accommodation (hostels)
- Meals as indicated on itinerary
- Transfer from airport to city centre on day one
- Trip related transfers
- Activities as indicated on itinerary
Specialist Equipment
- Polar pants
- Plastic climbing boots
- Gators
- Polar jacket
- Crampons
- Outside gloves
- Waterproof pants
- Ice axe
- Head lamp
- Waterproof jacket
- Climbing harness
Excluded
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa
- National park entrance fees (a few dollars)
- Tips for the guides.
Dates
Please contact us with your startdates so we can tailor make the itinerary for you.
“Well I finally did it! It was pretty tough towards the top but the guides were excellent and really encouraged me to make it to the summit. This was an experience I will never forget.”Sam Blakeley
“This was probably the most challenging thing I’ve ever done and I’m so proud of my achievement. Next stop Kilimanjaro!”Alex Cunningham
