Discover Ecuador, One Day at a Time!

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$55 per person | From Quito

Cayambe Summit

Ecuador's Third-highest peak
Guaranteed departures
  • Available Every Day
Our itinerary

Cayambe Climbing Tour

AVG. TEMPERATURE
-2°C / 28°F

TOUR RATING
4.7 / 5

AVG. ELEVATION
5,790 meters / 18,996 feet

DIFFICULTY
Challenging

1
Equipment Check & Departure from Quito

Meet your guide at our Quito office at 10:00 a.m. for an equipment check to ensure everything is in order for the climb. Once ready, we will depart north towards the town of Cayambe.

We will enjoy a scenic Andes drive and, upon arriving in Cayambe, we will enjoy a lunch.

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2
Journey to the Refuge

Afterward, we’ll continue our journey in a 4×4 vehicle to reach the Ruales-Oleas-Berge refuge, situated at an altitude of 4,600 meters (15,091.86 ft.). We will be staying in this refuge before our summit attempt.

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3
Glacier Training & Preparation

In the late afternoon, we will have a briefing and glacier school session to learn how to handle the equipment, depending on the weather conditions. This will be followed by dinner and a well-deserved rest, preparing us for the next day's summit attempt.

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4
Midnight Summit Attempt

We’ll start our Cayambe summit attempt from the Ruales-Oleas-Berge refuge around midnight. This challenging journey involves a 6 to 8-hour trek, with a significant portion of the climb on ice. Our goal is to reach the summit by sunrise, between 6 and 7 a.m., where we’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views. This timeframe can vary based on weather conditions, the climbers’ pace, and acclimatization.

In the event that any member of our team cannot continue and needs to descend for safety reasons, we will need to make a collective decision. Please keep in mind that there will be two climbers per mountain guide. If one traveler is unable to continue, the entire group must return. In some cases, if there are other climbers attempting the summit, there may be an opportunity for the traveler who wishes to continue to join a different rope group. However, this is never guaranteed and may involve additional costs.

Next activity
5
Descent & Return to Quito

After reaching the summit, we will descend back to the refuge for breakfast. Following a brief rest, we'll continue our descent to the parking lot. By approximately 5:00 p.m., we'll return to Quito.

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Group Rate: 330 USD per person with a minimum of 2 participants.
Solo Traveler Rate: 640 USD for 1 participant.

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 transport in a 4×4 vehicle.

Certified ASEGUIM guide fluent in Spanish and English.

Meals: lunch and dinner on the first day, breakfast on the second day.

Accommodation at the refuge, including a bed, mattress, and thermal blanket.

Glacier school session, weather permitting.

Technical mountain equipment: plastic boots, crampons, harness, carabiner, helmet, flashlight (without batteries), external two-finger gloves, gaiters, ice axe, waterproof pants, waterproof jacket, and rope.

Extra food and drinks, 2 liters of water per day.

Personal clothing: Lycra-type shirt and pants, fleece jacket and pants, internal gloves, 2 to 3 pairs of socks.

Backpacks: one 40-liter and one 15-liter.

Buff (neck gaiter).

Sunblock.

Sleeping bag.

Sunglasses.

Camera.

Batteries for the flashlight (2 pairs of AAA).

Taxes Ecuadorian tourist and companies.

Get ready for climbing tour with this packing list:

Lycra-type shirt and pants

Fleece jacket and pants

Internal gloves

2 to 3 pairs of socks

1 large backpack (40 liters)

1 small backpack (15 liters)

Buff (neck gaiter)

Sleeping bag

Sunglasses

Camera

Flashlight batteries (2 pairs of AAA)

Sunblock

Extra food and drinks

2 liters of water per day

Group Rate: 330 USD per person with a minimum of 2 participants.
Solo Traveler Rate: 640 USD for 1 participant.

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 transport in a 4×4 vehicle.

Certified ASEGUIM guide fluent in Spanish and English.

Meals: lunch and dinner on the first day, breakfast on the second day.

Accommodation at the refuge, including a bed, mattress, and thermal blanket.

Glacier school session, weather permitting.

Technical mountain equipment: plastic boots, crampons, harness, carabiner, helmet, flashlight (without batteries), external two-finger gloves, gaiters, ice axe, waterproof pants, waterproof jacket, and rope.

Extra food and drinks, 2 liters of water per day.

Personal clothing: Lycra-type shirt and pants, fleece jacket and pants, internal gloves, 2 to 3 pairs of socks.

Backpacks: one 40-liter and one 15-liter.

Buff (neck gaiter).

Sunblock.

Sleeping bag.

Sunglasses.

Camera.

Batteries for the flashlight (2 pairs of AAA).

Taxes Ecuadorian tourist and companies.

Get ready for climbing tour with this packing list:

Lycra-type shirt and pants

Fleece jacket and pants

Internal gloves

2 to 3 pairs of socks

1 large backpack (40 liters)

1 small backpack (15 liters)

Buff (neck gaiter)

Sleeping bag

Sunglasses

Camera

Flashlight batteries (2 pairs of AAA)

Sunblock

Extra food and drinks

2 liters of water per day

Frequently Asked questions

Cayambe Climbing

Q: What is the altitude of Cayambe, and how do we acclimatize?

Cayambe’s summit stands at 5,790 meters (18,996 feet) above sea level. To acclimatize, our itinerary includes a gradual ascent with proper rest periods, starting with a stay at the Ruales-Oleas-Berge refuge at 4,600 meters (15,091 feet). This allows your body to adjust to the high altitude and reduces the risk of altitude sickness. Additionally, we pace the climb to ensure a safe and comfortable ascent.

Before your summit attempt, we also offer special acclimatization tours to ensure a succesful climb. Check our other tours!

Q: How fit do I need to be for this climb?

We require and appreciate a certain level of experience for this tour to ensure you get the most out of the experience.

 

 

Q: What if one climber needs to descent?

Please keep in mind that there will be two climbers per mountain guide. If one traveler is unable to continue, the entire group must return unless there are additional guides available to split the group.

 

 

Q: What happens in case of bad weather?

Weather can be unpredictable in the mountains. Our guides will make safety decisions based on weather conditions. If conditions are unsuitable for climbing, glacier training or summit attempts may be adjusted accordingly.

 

 

Q: How do we handle emergencies or altitude sickness?

Our guides are trained in high-altitude first aid and emergency procedures. In case of altitude sickness or other emergencies, they will assess the situation and decide on the best course of action, including descent if necessary.

 

 

 

Q: What is the best time of year to climb Cayambe?

The best time to climb Cayambe is during the dry seasons, from June to August and from December to February. These periods typically offer the most stable weather conditions.

 

 

 

 

Q: Is travel insurance required?

Yes, we highly recommend travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and climbing, medical emergencies, and trip cancellations. This ensures that you are protected in case of unexpected events.

 

 

 

 

 

Climbing Tours
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