Trip Length: 7 days • 6 nights
Activity Levels: Beginner Mountaineering
Hotels: Premium Hotels, Mountain Refuge
Elevation Reached
• 18,997 ft
• 18,997 ft
Climb off the beaten path in Ecuador
Cayambe offers a less-traveled mountaineering experience
Ecuador is a country of towering, ice-capped volcanoes, where glacial streams tumble through pristine cloud forest into the Amazon Basin far below. With relatively easy access to more than a dozen major volcanoes, Ecuador offers an excellent introduction to the world of high-altitude international mountaineering. This Mountain Gurus expedition takes you to the summit of Cayambe (18,997 ft), a majestic cone draped in snow and ice, rising above the culturally traditional city of Otavalo in the Cordillera Central of the Ecuadorian Andes.
Ecuador • Start Quito • End Mariscal Sucre International Airport Travel & Airport details »
Tour Highlights
- 7 days of adventure in Ecuador
- Co-led by an American and Ecuadorian mountain guide
- Summit attempt on Cayambe
- Acclimatization hikes on Pasochoa and Rucu Pichincha
- 3 nights at a premium hotel in Quito, the Ecuadorian capitol
- 2 nights at a mountain refuge on Cayambe
- 1 night at a hotel near the airport at the conclusion of the trip
- 5 Breakfast, 5 Lunch, 2 Dinner
- Land transportation
- Friendly MG office staff will help you prepare for your adventure
“This was my first trip with Mountain Gurus after having taken their 5-day glacier mountaineering course on Mount Baker with Northwest Alpine Guides. The trip was extremely well planned and executed from signup to arriving in-country, to all the lodging and climbing logistics. MG’s also has reliable and professional in-country connections with local guide staff and tour operators who help ensure everything goes as planned and that every client reaches their goals.” ~ Windy, January 2020
DAY 1
Arrive Quito, Ecuador
Arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, Ecuador (UOI). Most flights arrive in Quito in the late evening. Our driver will be awaiting your arrival at the airport and will take you to the hotel.
Hotel Ibis, Quito (3 nights)
DAY 2-3
Acclimatization hikes
In preparation for the larger peaks, we acclimatize by hiking up Pasochoa. On clear days, we may see condors and wild horses on this extinct volcano. Our next hike is Rucu Pichincha, starting from a trailhead we access via cable car just outside of Quito. Our late afternoon and evening are free to explore Quito and organize our gear.
Hotel Ibis, Quito (3 nights)
Activity Moderate Hiking
DAY 4-6
Cayambe training and summit climb
We drive from Quito to the Ruales Oleas Bergé mountain hut at the base of Volcan Cayambe. The hut sits on the southern slopes of Cayambe with fantastic views of the Hermoso Glacier. The next day, we review essential mountaineering techniques for our summit ascent. We prepare our gear for our ascent of the third highest mountain in Ecuador, then go to bed early for our alpine start.
Finally, we wake before dawn and ascend low rocky ridges to the edge of a crevassed glacier. We rope up and climb directly to the mountain’s upper slopes. A final, challenging push takes us to Cayambe’s huge summit dome, where we’re rewarded with magnificent views. We descend and transfer to a hotel near Mariscal Sucre International Airport.
Ruales Oleas Berge Refuge (2 nights)
Wyndham Hotel (1 night)
Activity Moderate Hiking
DAY 7
Departure (If not continuing to Chimborazo)
Today we depart Mariscal Sucre International Airport on our flights home.
DAY 7-10
Extend your stay with a climb of Chimborazo
Following a rest day and night, our team drives to Chimborazo. From the trailhead, we hike two hours to our high camp just below the glacier. With a midnight alpine start, we follow a new climbing route to the west-northwest to avoid rockfall. We pass the base of a rock formation called El Castillo or “The Castle” and then climb to Chimborazo’s false summit, Pico Veintimilla. A half-hour walk across a saddle takes us to the top of the mountain at Whymper Summit, ending with one of the best views in Ecuador. We descend and transfer to a hotel near Mariscal Sucre International Airport. Ecuador, Chimborazo »
Accommodation After Cayambe (1 night)
Chimborazo High Camp at Stubel (1 night)
Wyndham Hotel (1 night)
Activity Intermediate Mountaineering
Premium Hotels, Mountain Refuge
Our hand-selected hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.*
NIGHTS 1-3
Hotel Ibis in Quito
Your journey begins in Quito, Ecuador’s vibrant capital. You’ll stay at the Hotel Ibis, a modern and comfortable hotel known for its convenient location and excellent amenities. This base allows for easy exploration of the city’s rich culture and history.
NIGHT 4-5
Ruales Oleas Bergé Mountain Refuge
Perched on the southern slopes of Cayambe at 15,092 feet with fantastic views of the Hermoso Glacier, this is considered by many to be the best of Ecuador’s Refugios. These basic but atmospheric accommodations are a perfect base of operations while on Cayambe.
NIGHT 6
Wyndham Hotel near Mariscal Sucre International Airport (If not continuing to Chimborazo)
Following the climb, you’ll return to Quito and stay at the Wyndham Hotel, conveniently located near Mariscal Sucre International Airport. This hotel offers comfortable accommodations, allowing for a restful night before your departure.
*Hotels may vary based on departure.
If you have climbed in the Pacific Northwest, Mexico or elsewhere in North America and you are ready to expand your skills, Mountain Gurus’ Cayambe Expedition is an excellent choice. Home to massive, 5,000- and 6,000-meter volcanoes, Ecuador is an ideal training ground for climbers who want to broaden their high-altitude experience and glacier mountaineering skills for larger objectives such as the Seven Summits and the peaks of Alaska and the Himalaya.
With its pristine nature preserves, luxurious hot springs and vibrant cities, Ecuador is also a logical next step for climbers who have already summited Mount Rainier, Mount Baker or other North American peaks and are simply seeking their next adventure. Because of Ecuador’s latitude, its seasons are reversed, making it an ideal destination during the North American winter.
Ecuador
• Start Quito • End Mariscal Sucre International Airport
International Destinations
Itineraries reflect the date and time you will need to arrive in country for a program. Mountain Gurus programs begin and end in-country in the destination city. When booking your flight, you will need to account for travel time and crossing the international dateline if needed. It is easiest to give your booking agent the day and time you will need to arrive.
Entry/Visa
A valid passport is required for American citizens to enter Ecuador. American citizens do not need a visa for visits of up to 30 days for tourism.
Meals
All meals are provided as per meal schedule.
Gear
A complete clothing and equipment list specific to your trip will be sent to you in a pre-departure information packet upon booking. For your safety and comfort, it is extremely important that you adhere strictly to the equipment list. Request a detailed itinerary.
Things you should know about this trip
When is the best season to climb?
Ecuador’s main climbing season lasts from November to February. Excellent climbing conditions also occur during the dry weather in June.
How hard is this climb and what technical skills do I need?
Climbers should have basic snow and mountaineering experience. We recommend taking our 3-Day Intro to Mountaineering Course or our 5-Day Glacier Mountaineering Course in the Pacific Northwest to prepare for Cayambe.
What are the fitness requirements?
You must be in good aerobic condition and able to hike for 7 to 9 hours on summit day while carrying a 20 to 25-pound pack. Previous climbing experience will increase your chances of reaching the summits. Ice axe, crampon, and rope travel skills are essential for a safe and successful climbing adventure.
Learn more about this tour? Request a detailed itinerary.
Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, gear list, and more. Let us help you plan your adventure.
