Climb Mt. Chimborazo: 7-Day Mountaineering Tour

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, ASEGUIM certified mountain guide with extensive knowledge of the area (1:1 or 1:2 ratio)
    • Accommodation during the tour, as in the itinerary (3 nights of hotel accommodation in Quito, 2 nights at Chimborazo Basecamp Lodge, 1 night at High Camp)
    • Almost all meals, as listed in the itinerary — breakfasts while in town, all meals once you head into the mountains)
    • All private transfers during the tour
    • Airport transfers
    • All national park and climbing permits
    • Use of technical climbing gear — boots, crampons, helmet, harness ice axe
    • Adventure insurance (covering a rescue team, first aid, and an ambulance to the hospital)

  Add-ons (add at checkout):

  • • Headlamp
    • Trekking poles

  Not included:

  • • Flights to Quito
    • Personal clothing & gear
    • Lunches and dinners in Quito
    • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout (adventure insurance is included in the price, covering an ambulance to the hospital, but from that point on, your insurance takes over)
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  This adventure is for intermediate to experienced climbers. You will need a great level of fitness and backpacking experience to accomplish this climb.

  Chimborazo is a tough climb, which requires a specific skill set. Building effective storm camps, rescue techniques, climbing with full packs, fixed rope ascension, and formulating a climbing strategy are all necessary topics to cover. Participants should arrive with a healthy desire for enduring mountain conditions.

  Training for Chimborazo is crucial, especially if you live at sea level. To prepare for the altitude, focus on building endurance through activities like long-distance running. This will help your body adapt to the physical demands of the climb, ensuring you’re ready to conquer Ecuador’s tallest peak.

  One of the biggest strengths of this itinerary is how thoughtfully it’s built for acclimatization. You start in Quito at 2,850 m (9,350 ft), then gradually move higher—reaching Chimborazo Basecamp Lodge at 4,000 m (13,120 ft) on Day 3. On Day 4, you hike up to Whymper Needles at 5,200 m (17,060 ft), before ascending to High Camp at 5,300 m (17,390 ft). With your body properly adjusted, you’ll make your summit attempt on Day 6, aiming for the top of Chimborazo at 6,267 m (20,560 ft).

• What's the route to the summit?

  The Chimborazo climb takes place between midnight and dawn, with many successful summit attempts reaching either the secondary summit of Veintimilla (6,230 m / 20,440 ft) or the main summit, Cumbre Máxima, around sunrise.

  The descent back to Whymper Refuge at 5,000 m (16,400 ft) typically takes 2 to 3 hours. Although Chimborazo is extremely high, the route is non-technical, meaning climbers can reach very high altitude without encountering steep vertical sections that require advanced technical skills such as ice climbing. In good weather, the summit rewards climbers with sweeping views of the Ecuadorian Andes, including Cotopaxi, El Altar, and the active volcanoes Tungurahua and Sangay.

• What if I’ve never alpine climbed before?

  This expedition is geared for intermediate to advanced climbers who are comfortable being at a high altitude, climbing and moving. Very good physical condition is also a must. Though this climb doesn’t require any technical skills, it’s still not suitable for first-time alpine climbers.

• How much time for accilmatization is there?

  One of the biggest strengths of this itinerary is how thoughtfully it’s built for acclimatization. You start in Quito at 2,850 m (9,350 ft), then gradually move higher—reaching Chimborazo Basecamp Lodge at 4,000 m (13,120 ft) on Day 3. On Day 4, you hike up to Whymper Needles at 5,200 m (17,060 ft), before ascending to High Camp at 5,300 m (17,390 ft). With your body properly adjusted, you’ll make your summit attempt on Day 6, aiming for the top of Chimborazo at 6,267 m (20,560 ft).

• Is Chimborazo summit guaranteed?

  No—summits are never guaranteed on high-altitude mountains, and Chimborazo is no exception. Weather, snow conditions, and how your body responds to altitude all play a role. That said, our itinerary is designed to maximize your chances of success, with plenty of acclimatization time, a gradual ascent, and very small guide-to-client ratios. Proper acclimatization, pacing, and expert decision-making significantly improve summit odds—but reaching the top is always a bonus, not a promise.

• What do I need to bring?

  Required gear:

  • • Mountaineering boots
    • Crampons
    • Gaiters
    • Inner thermal pants
    • Outer waterproof pants or softshell pants
    • Polar fleece jacket
    • Down jacket
    • Waterproof jacket
    • Warm hat and buffs
    • Inner gloves
    • Outer gloves or mittens
    • Helmet
    • Headlamp
    • Harness
    • Ice axe (piolet)
    • Sleeping bag
    • Backpack (35–45 L)
    • Sunglasses or goggles

  Provided free of charge by your guides if required:

  • • Mountaineering boots
    • Crampons
    • Gaiters
    • Mittens
    • Harness
    • Ice axe
    • Helmet
    • Sleeping bags
    • Duffel bag for carrying gear

  Available for rental:

  • • Headlamp
    • Trekking poles
• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this private adventure, the maximum client to guide ratio is 2:1.
    • You can sign up solo for the climb and there will be one guide accompanying you.
    • If two or more people sign up, the price goes down.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Quito, the starting point of your adventure, most people fly into Quito International Airport (UIO). Once you land, your guides will pick you up and transfer you to the first night’s hotel (airport transfers are included in the price of the tour).

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Cancellation policy

  A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies:

  • • Deposits are non-refundable.
    • Cancellations made more than 14 days before the tour entitles the client to a 30% refund of the total amount.
    • Payments are non-refundable once the tour has started.

  Please note that booking fees are non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from the refund amount.