From: £2,231
From: $2,970
Arrival day. Make your own way to the hotel.
Overnight in Quito, at Vieja Cuba or similar.
Today our local staff will meet you at 0930 in the morning for a trip briefing, talking through the programme for the next 13 days.
Then we set off on a gentle walking tour to see some of the main colonial churches in the old part of Quito such as Santo Domingo, the Basilica and the beautiful San Francisco.
We will also visit the hill of El Panecillo where an impressive statue of the Virgin looks over Quito, and we have fabulous views of this extensive city. Getting out and about and exploring the city is a good way to begin the acclimatisation process. Overnight in Quito, at Vieja Cuba or similar.
Today we set off to the south of the city to climb the fabulous collapsed volcanic crater of Pasochoa.
At 4,200m/13,780ft Pasochoa is a challenge that will get our legs warmed up nicely in anticipation of the adventure ahead. The walk will take us through high altitude pastures, climbing steadily upwards for 3 hours more or less.
From the summit, we have a spectacular view of the mountains around Quito as well as the inspiring scenery of the Pasochoa crater itself. We should be able to see the peaks of: Antisana, Sincholagua, Quilindana, Cotopaxi, Ruminahui, Corazon and the twin Iliniza peaks, north and south.
Return to Quito and overnight in Vieja Cuba or similar
Today we set off for the nearby peak of Rucu Pichincha, that towers over the city of Quito.
Using the cable car we rise gently above the city, until the top station, to an altitude of 4,000m / 13,200ft from where we start today´s hike.
Rucu Pichincha (4,690m / 15,400 ft) is an excellent second acclimatization hike. Rucu is just one of the three major peaks that make up the Pichincha massive. Quito is built on the slopes of the eastern side of this massif.
The hike is straightforward and should take us 4 to 5 hours in total.
After the walk we return to our hotel in Quito for the night.
We leave Quito after breakfast at 0830 and drive northwards towards Cayambe (5,790m /18,996ft).
Cayambe is a massive glaciated extinct volcano. It is located about 70km north east of Quito and is the highest point on the surface of the earth through which the Equator directly passes, and the third highest mountain in Ecuador.
Cayambe is the perfect peak for us to practise ice climbing skills on the glaciers. There is excellent access to the glaciers from the comfortable mountain hut which is at 4,600m / 15,088 ft. We will settle in then head out and practise our skills. The crevasses, complex icefalls and seracs provide an ideal setting for learning some ice climbing, crevasse rescue, and a variety of other basic skills.
Night at the Cayambe hut, shared rooms.
Today is spent on the Cayambe glaciers, learning and revising some essential mountaineering skills.
During the glacier training on Cayambe we will look at the following:
After our session on the mountain we head back to the hut for some hot food and rest. Night at Cayambe hut
If conditions are good today we have the opportunity to attempt the climb to the summit of Cayambe.
The route we take to the summit follows diverse glacier terrain to near the summit crater. Conditions on the mountain change and sometimes a gaping bergschrund presents a challenge in route finding and an exciting extra obstacle. The ascent normally takes seven hours and the descent three hours.
After our summit day on Cayambe we descend to Hacienda Guachala for the night, or similar.
Today is an easy day as we pack up then set off southwards to drive to the Cotopaxi area.
We will stop on off the way for lunch in a restaurant.
Overnight Tambopaxi lodge or similar. Shared rooms.
Today we set of up the mountainside. We drive to 4,600m /15,091 ft and then walk to the Cotopaxi mountain hut at 4,800m / 15,700 ft.
Having arrived at the hut at lunchtime, we rest for the afternoon and evening, preparing ourselves for the night time climb.
Cotopaxi is one of the most beautiful mountains of the Andes of Ecuador, a classic conical volcano. The Cotopaxi national park is known for its rich wildlife and high altitude remote plains and peaks. Cotopaxi is a popular peak for climber and has the highest number of clear days of the high peaks of Ecuador.
Night at Jose Rivas refuge, the Cotopaxi hut at 4,800 m / 15,700 ft. Shared dorm room.
Today is Cotopaxi summit day (5,897 m / 19,300 ft.)
After a short sleep we have breakfast then leave the hut at around 0100. We set off with head torches, starting with a walk over morraine to the start of the glacier. We stop and put our crampons and harnesses on, and rope up.
We are now on Cotopaxi’s large featureless glacier and we weave our way steadily upwards, around crevasses.
The final section is tougher as it gets steeper. We arrive at the summit crater at dawn.
We rope up for protection and safety from crevasses and also to provide protection on the steeper sections. The ascent normally takes between six to seven hours and the descent, two to three hours.
Night in Banos. (B,L,D)
It feels good to be at lower altitudes.
Today is a day of rest and for some easy walking in the warm valleys and gullies that this town is well known for.
Night at hotel. (1,900 m/6,332 ft) (B,L, D)
Today we head back to the high altitudes of Ecuador’s volcanoes.
We’ll drive to the Plaza Roja (4,852m / 15,914 ft) located high on the side of Chimborazo, very close to the Carrel hut.
From the hut it takes us about two to three hours to walk to our camp at 5,350m /17,300ft, where we spend the afternoon preparing for the climb.
We will all help with carrying equipment to the camp. Porters will help carrying the tents and water. Night camping.
Today is Chimborazo summit day (6,310m/ 20,696ft).
We start the climb at about midnight and follow upwards on the glacier until it joins Castle ridge (5,450m / 17,876 ft.).
We take this variation on the normal Castle route as it is generally free from rock fall, making it a much safer line to the top.
From camp it normally takes six to eight hours or so to get to the main Whymper summit. The scene from the top is the most amazing view of Ecuador.
Descent to camp takes from two to three hours. After returning to camp we rest a little before continuing on downwards to Plaza Roja. Night camping, mountain hut or return to the valleys, hotel. (B,L,D)
This is a buffer day. In case of bad weather, we have added this day to allow a second chance at the summit.
Hotel, Quito.
Important note: This itinerary is a guide line and in the case of unforeseen circumstances we may have to make changes.
Tour ends after breakfast.
| Departure | Return | Duration (days) | Price from ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Nov 2026 | 15 Nov 2026 | 15 | $2970 | Check availability |
| 15 Nov 2026 | 29 Nov 2026 | 15 | $2970 | Check availability |
| Departure | Return | Duration (days) | Price from ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Dec 2026 | 20 Dec 2026 | 15 | $2970 | Check availability |
| 25 Dec 2026 | 8 Jan 2027 | 15 | $2970 | Check availability |
| Departure | Return | Duration (days) | Price from ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Jan 2027 | 24 Jan 2027 | 15 | $3250 | Check availability |
| 24 Jan 2027 | 7 Feb 2027 | 15 | $3250 | Check availability |
| Departure | Return | Duration (days) | Price from ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Feb 2027 | 21 Feb 2027 | 15 | $3250 | Check availability |
| Departure | Return | Duration (days) | Price from ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 May 2027 | 16 May 2027 | 15 | $3250 | Check availability |
| Departure | Return | Duration (days) | Price from ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Jun 2027 | 20 Jun 2027 | 15 | $3250 | Check availability |
| 27 Jun 2027 | 11 Jul 2027 | 15 | $3250 | Check availability |
| Departure | Return | Duration (days) | Price from ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Jul 2027 | 1 Aug 2027 | 15 | $3250 | Check availability |
| Departure | Return | Duration (days) | Price from ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Aug 2027 | 15 Aug 2027 | 15 | $3250 | Check availability |
| Departure | Return | Duration (days) | Price from ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Sep 2027 | 19 Sep 2027 | 15 | $3250 | Check availability |
| Departure | Return | Duration (days) | Price from ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Oct 2027 | 14 Nov 2027 | 15 | $3250 | Check availability |
| Departure | Return | Duration (days) | Price from ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Nov 2027 | 5 Dec 2027 | 15 | $3250 | Check availability |
| Departure | Return | Duration (days) | Price from ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Dec 2027 | 19 Dec 2027 | 15 | $3250 | Check availability |
| 25 Dec 2027 | 8 Jan 2028 | 15 | $3250 | Check availability |
Locally owned mountain lodges and haciendas.
Most offer private rooms with private bathrooms with flush toilets and warm water showers.
In more remote areas facilities are more basic and you may need to share a room / shared toilets.
The tour is open to people of good mobility and health with some experience of trekking.
We build in acclimatisation and our walks aim to be 4-8 hours in length.
We grade this as as strenuous because of the high altitude and consecutive hiking days.
Trekkers ideally need to be used to walking while carrying a daypack and ideally accustomed to walking for 4-8 hours on consecutive days.
Almost all dietary requirements can be catered for – please ask us for more information.
Breakfasts at hotels will feature teas, coffees and juices to drink, plus cereals, fruit, eggs, toast and jams etc.
While out on tours, we either supply a packed lunch of sandwiches, snacks, soup, fruit etc, or we eat at a local restaurant/hacienda. These are often buffet style with soups, rice, pasta, potatoes and then puddings/fruit.
Our accommodation will provide evening meals. In general, it’s a soup for starters followed by an Ecuador inspired main dish – some international meals may be available at certain lodges.
Throughout the tour, a local, English speaking Ecuadorian mountain guide with many years’ experience will accompany you.
Our local drivers and support staff have worked with us for many years.
Staff employed at the lodges are generally from the local communities.
A joyful family adventure through Ecuador and the Galapagos, filled with wildlife, culture, and unforgettable shared moments.
Outstanding communication and expert planning made Andean Trails the clear choice for a perfectly organised South American adventure.
On our 15-day volcano climbing expedition in Ecuador, we combine some guided warm up treks on volcanoes near Quito such as Pasochoa and Pichincha.
After the warm up trekking days we head to the higher peaks of Ecuador. Our guides dedicate some time to help with practising our mountaineering skills, brushing up on the use of ropes, crampons and ice-axes.
Once comfortable we head off to climb higher Andean peaks. The high altitude volcanoes of Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo are our ultimate objectives on this Ecuador mountaineering and climbing trip.
Expert local walking and mountaineering guides accompany you throughout.
From: $1999 per person
Duration
6 days
From: $1932 per person
Duration
7 days
Ecuador lies between latitudes 4º south and 2º north. Overall, climate varies according to time of year, altitude and region.
In the Ecuadorian highlands, there is little temperature variation by season; this depends largely on altitude.
In Quito, shade temperatures range from 6 to 10ºC in the morning and from 19 to 23ºC in the afternoon, with cool nights. In the lower intermontane basins, it gets significantly warmer.
Rainfall depends on whether an area lies closer to the eastern or western Andes. To the west, June to Sept is the dry period and Oct to May the wet (with often a short, dry spell in Dec or Jan).
The best period to visit Quito and trek and climb volcanoes such as Cotopaxi is the west Andean dry season of June to Sept and Dec/Jan. This is also Ecuador’s high season. During the Oct to May wet season, most rainfall is in the afternoons.
To the east, Oct to Feb are dry and March to Sept are wet. Overall, the southern highlands are drier than the northern highlands.
Landscapes vary from the drier south to the more humid north.
The Highlands, or sierra, encompass two Andean Cordilleras (the Central and Western), which run north to south through the country. Ecuador’s largest volcano is Chimborazo (6,310m) whose summit, because of its proximity to the equator, is the closest point on earth to the sun. Several of Ecuador’s volcanoes are still active, and it’s a great area for trekking.
Descending the steep, east-facing slopes of the eastern Cordillera, one passes through a transition zone comprising dense cloud forest and humid high jungle, before entering the Amazon lowlands.
This mainly primary rainforest covers a third of the country, accounts for 5% of the population and stretches across Ecuador, from its Colombian to its Peruvian borders.
The Galapagos Islands are simply unique. Lying 600 miles off the mainland, the archipelago comprises the summits of gigantic equatorial volcanoes.
The flora and fauna of the Galapagos, long separated from their continental cousins, have evolved differently. Charles Darwin used his observations there to develop his theory of Evolution.
Ecuador is the second smallest South American country, and one of the most varied.
It comprises three main geographical areas: the coast, highlands and Amazon plus is home to the Galapagos Islands.
Because of its relatively compact size, it makes a great holiday destination as you can move from highlight to highlight fairly easily and rapidly.
In large cities such as Quito and Guayaquil, you should guard against bag snatching, bag slashing and pick-pocketing.
Highway robbery should also be guarded against. We strongly recommend you take the following precautions:
A joyful family adventure through Ecuador and the Galapagos, filled with wildlife, culture, and unforgettable shared moments.
Outstanding communication and expert planning made Andean Trails the clear choice for a perfectly organised South American adventure.
