Iliniza Norte & Chimborazo Summit
From Quito
From 620 USD p.p.
We’ll summit:
- Iliniza Norte: 5,126 m / 16,817ft
- Chimborazo: 6,263 m/ 20,548ft
If you’re a solo traveler, we can try to match you to another climber.
Our itinerary
Iliniza Norte & Chimborazo 3-Day Summit
“From the Andean skies of Iliniza to the summit of Chimborazo, the closest point to the sun.”
After the gear check, we head to La Virgen trailhead (3,900 m), the starting point in Ilinizas Ecological Reserve.
We hike about 3 hours up to Nuevos Horizontes Refuge (4,700 m).
From there, we begin the climb to Iliniza Norte, a rocky, scenic peak with some basic scrambling. The route takes 6 hours approximately and half of the time in return.
After summiting, we descend, enjoy a box lunch, and return to Quito to rest before the big climb. We will arrive at approximately 18:00 or 19:00 pm.
After checking gear, we’ll drive to the Chimborazo Fauna Reserve in our 4×4.
From the Hermanos Carrel Refuge (4,850 m), we hike up to the Whymper Refuge (5,000 m) for acclimatization.
There we enjoy a hot lunch, we rest, organize equipment, and have dinner at the refuge before going to bed early at 18:00 or 19:00 pm. The summit push starts at night.
The route takes 6–8 hours depending on conditions.
At the summit, you’ll stand on the highest point in Ecuador and the furthest spot from Earth’s core — a truly epic achievement.
After photos and a short stay, we descend to the refuge, eat breakfast, and return to our office in Quito by the afternoon. We will arrive at approximately 17:00 pm.
Solo Traveler Rate: from 1240 USD for 1 participant. Alternatively, we can try to match you with another solo traveler for the tour.
Departures are every day of the week.
Important:
Please be advised that the itinerary is subject to change without prior notice due to external factors and at the discretion of the guide.
Activity times are approximate and may be adjusted if necessary.
Although we recommend participants have good fitness for the hike’s and climbs physical demands, please note that our experienced guide will always be there to provide support.
Please note that when you are a solo traveler and request us to match you with another climber, we cannot guarantee the physical condition or prior experience of your partner, just as we cannot guarantee your conditions and experience to the other climber. As a solo traveler with significant mountain experience and a strong desire to ensure a successful summit, we always advise booking a private tour.
Private 4×4 transportation from/to Quito
1 night at Whymper Refuge (In a shared room with a shared bathroom).
Meals:
- Day 1: Box lunch
- Day 2: Hot lunch and dinner
- Day 3: Breakfast after the climb
Full technical gear:
- Plastic boots, crampons, harness, helmet, ice axe, rope
- Waterproof jacket and pants, outer gloves, gaiters
- Headlamp (no batteries), carabiner
Access to protected areas
Summit certificate
Personal gear:
- Base layers, fleece, inner gloves, 2–3 pairs of socks
- 2 backpacks (40L and small daypack)
- Neck warmer, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Sleeping bag
- Camera
- AAA batteries (2 sets for headlamp)
Extra water (min. 2 liters per day)
Extra food, snacks and drinks
Travel or accident insurance
Tips
Taxes: Only applicable to Ecuadorian citizens and companies.
Solo Traveler Rate: from 1240 USD for 1 participant. Alternatively, we can try to match you with another solo traveler for the tour.
Departures are every day of the week.
Important:
Please be advised that the itinerary is subject to change without prior notice due to external factors and at the discretion of the guide.
Activity times are approximate and may be adjusted if necessary.
Although we recommend participants have good fitness for the hike’s and climbs physical demands, please note that our experienced guide will always be there to provide support.
Please note that when you are a solo traveler and request us to match you with another climber, we cannot guarantee the physical condition or prior experience of your partner, just as we cannot guarantee your conditions and experience to the other climber. As a solo traveler with significant mountain experience and a strong desire to ensure a successful summit, we always advise booking a private tour.
Private 4×4 transportation from/to Quito
1 night at Whymper Refuge (In a shared room with a shared bathroom).
Meals:
- Day 1: Box lunch
- Day 2: Hot lunch and dinner
- Day 3: Breakfast after the climb
Full technical gear:
- Plastic boots, crampons, harness, helmet, ice axe, rope
- Waterproof jacket and pants, outer gloves, gaiters
- Headlamp (no batteries), carabiner
Access to protected areas
Summit certificate
Personal gear:
- Base layers, fleece, inner gloves, 2–3 pairs of socks
- 2 backpacks (40L and small daypack)
- Neck warmer, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Sleeping bag
- Camera
- AAA batteries (2 sets for headlamp)
Extra water (min. 2 liters per day)
Extra food, snacks and drinks
Travel or accident insurance
Tips
Taxes: Only applicable to Ecuadorian citizens and companies.
Frequently Asked questions
Iliniza Norte & Chimborazo
Q: How difficult is the Chimborazo 3-day climb?
Q: Do I need previous climbing experience to summit Chimborazo?
Yes — previous climbing experience is highly recommended.
Chimborazo is one of the most demanding climbs in Ecuador due to its extreme altitude and technical terrain.
Q: What’s the altitude of Iliniza Norte and Chimborazo?
Iliniza Norte reaches 5,126 meters (16,817ft) and is used for acclimatization on Day 1. Chimborazo’s summit stands at 6,263 meters (20,548ft), making it one of the world’s highest active volcanoes.
Q: What is the best time to climb Chimborazo?
The ideal time to climb Chimborazo is during Ecuador’s two dry seasons:
-
From mid-June to early August
-
From December to mid-January
These months generally offer more stable weather, clear skies, and safer glacier conditions, which are essential for a successful and enjoyable ascent.
Q: How many people are in a group?
This climb is available for small groups with a minimum of two participants. For safety reasons, summit day is guided with a 1:2 guide-to-client ratio.
Q: What happens if we can’t reach the summit?
High-altitude climbing always depends on weather and physical condition. If conditions aren’t safe, the guide may decide to turn back. Your safety is always the top priority.
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