Chimborazo and Iliniza Sur

Chimborazo and Iliniza Sur Climbing in 5 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.

Travel program

Itinerary:

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

Day 2: Iliniza Sur (5246 m) – (El Chaupi 3300m)

Day 3: El Chaupi – Baños (1800 m)

Day 4: Baños – Hermanos Carrel Refuge Chimborazo (16,400ft/5.000m)

Day 5: 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 6 hours round trip. Overnight in Nuevos Horizontes Refuge. (BL/D)

Day 2: Iliniza Sur (5246m) – El Chaupi (3330m)
Our climbing day starts at 2 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 Sur summit (17,267ft/5.246m). It will take us between 4 to 5 hours to get to the top. The way back to the refuge will be done in about 2 hours. Once here, we will have something to eat and drink. We will pack our stuff and go down to the La Virgen parking lot and drive further for about 25 minutes to our hostel in the village of the El Chaupi (B/BL/D)

Day 3: El Chaupi – Baños (1800 m) FREE DAY
From El Chaupi, we will drive south of Latacunga 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 4: 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 Chimborazo 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 5: 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. (B)

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
  • Nuevos Horizontes Refuge 1 night
  • Hostal Andes Alpes 1 nights
  • 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: 5 days
Participants: Minimal: 2 Maximal: 12
Country / Location: Ecuador
Mountain Guide: Fernando Iza
Other dates / additional info: Contact us!
Legend Booking-information
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