Main Info
The Chimborazo volcano is the highest mountain in Ecuador.
This mountain is the last and highest elevation of the Western Cordillera of the Ecuadorian Andes.
A lot of different microclimates influence his clime, going from the humid mountain region of the Abraspungo valley to the desert area of the «Arenal».
This is one of the coldest mountains of Ecuador, but due to general warming and the ash deposits from eruptions of the nearby active Tungurahua volcano, the snow layer is very thin or sometimes non-existent. however full climbing gear is required as well as excellent acclimatization and fitness.
| Dificulty | Medium – Hard |
| Activity | Climbing |
| Altitude | 20,702 ft (6,310 m) |
| Minimum | 2 people |
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| Date & price |
When to go: — Price: — |
Itinerary
If you arrive Quito in the morning, in the afternoon City tour in Quito’s colonial old town, including museums and churches (aprox. 4 hours).. Overnight in the hotel.
We’ll leave from Quito early in the morning and will drive southeast aprox. 2 hours through the Andean highlands until getting to the trail head (10,827ft/3.300m). The hike goes through an amazing primary Andean forest, great for bird watching, as we will arrive on the summit (13,778ft/4.230m) and if the weather allows, we’ll be able to see the surrounding snow capped mountains, such as Antisana, Cayambe, Illinizas, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo far away to the south in clear days. It will take us aprox. 6 hours the round hike. Return to Quito by late afternoon. Overnight in the hotel.
The trip starts at 7:00 a.m., we will drive south from Quito towards the city of Ambato (8,858ft/2,700m) through the Avenue of the Volcanoes for about 3 hours, then we’ll head southwest to the Chimborazo`s reserve entrance for 1 hour. Finally we’ll drive for another 20 more minutes to Hermanos Carrel refuge (15,744 ft/4,800 m). Lunch will be served there. In the afternoon we’ll walk up for 1 more hour to the Whimper’s Hut (16,400 ft/5.000m) where we’ll have dinner and get some rest until 23h00, our wake up time. There will be an early light breakfast served just before getting ready with our gear and start heading up.
At midnight we’ll start our climb to the top of Ecuador’s highest mountain, Chimborazo, which will take us about 8 to 10 hours. Each climber will get a box lunch for the ascending. We’ll get to the summit in the early hours (20,702ft/6.310m) the perfect spot for resting and picture taking of the beautiful Andean surroundings. Then, we’ll start our descending to the Refuge; it will take us from 3 to 5 hours. Once in “Whymper Refuge” we’ll pack our things and go down to “Hermanos Carrel Refuge”, where we’ll get our lunch and drive back to Quito.
