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$55 per person | From Quito

Cayambe Summit

Ecuador's Third-highest peak

From Quito

Moderate

From 380 USD p.p.

5.790 m / 18.996ft

We’ll summit:
  • Cayambe Volcano: 5,790 m / 18,996ft

If you’re a solo traveler, we can try to match you to another climber.

Our itinerary

Cayambe Summit

“Cayambe awaits, where altitude meets ice.”

Day 1 - Meet up and Gear check
We will meet at our office in Quito at 10:00 am to test the glacier gear, such as boots, crampons, ice axes and more. Check our climbing equipment list.
Travel to Cayambe & Night at the Refuge
We’ll head to the Ruales-Oleas-Bergé Refuge (4,600 m), in a private 4×4, located on the slopes of the Cayambe volcano. There, we enjoy a hot lunch and some time to relax, your guide gives you a short briefing and checks your equipment for the summit attempt.

You’ll have dinner early 18:00 or 19:00 pm and rest at the refuge to prepare for the climb.

Day 2 - Summit day: Cayambe ( 5.790 m / 18.996 ft)
We start the climb in the early morning hours around 00:30 am, walking over the glacier under the stars.

Our certified guides lead the way along the normal route to the summit. We will go out attempting to reach the summit between 7 to 8 hours walking on ice, very slowly.

If weather allows, we’ll reach the top just in time to watch the sunrise over the Andes — an unforgettable moment.

Return and Drop off
After taking in the views, we head back to the refuge, have breakfast, and return to our office in Quito by afternoon. We will arrive at approximately 14:00 or 15:00 pm.

Group Rate: from 380 USD per person with a minimum of 2 participants.

Solo Traveler Rate: from 760 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.

Certified ASEGUIM mountain bilingual guides

Private 4×4 transportation from/to Quito

1 night at Ruales-Oleas-Bergé Refuge (In a shared room with a shared bathroom).

Meals:

  • Day 1: Hot lunch and dinner
  • Day 2: 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.

Know what equipment is included and what to bring. Check our climbing equipment list before your ascent.

Group Rate: from 380 USD per person with a minimum of 2 participants.

Solo Traveler Rate: from 760 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.

Know what equipment is included and what to bring. Check our climbing equipment list before your ascent.
Certified ASEGUIM mountain bilingual guides

Private 4×4 transportation from/to Quito

1 night at Ruales-Oleas-Bergé Refuge (In a shared room with a shared bathroom).

Meals:

  • Day 1: Hot lunch and dinner
  • Day 2: 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

Cayambe

Q: How difficult is the Cayambe climb?
Climbing Cayambe is a challenging high-altitude glacier ascent, reaching 5,790 meters (18,996 ft) — the third highest peak in Ecuador. It requires good physical condition, some acclimatization, and the ability to hike for several hours on snow and ice using crampons and an ice axe.

But don’t worry! The 3-day program is designed to help you acclimatize gradually and learn the basic glacier skills you’ll need for summit day. You’ll train with certified mountain guides who support you every step of the way.

Q: Do I need previous climbing experience to summit Cayambe?

No technical climbing experience is required, but you should be comfortable hiking for several hours at altitude. Our guides will teach you how to use crampons and an ice axe during the climb.

Q: What’s the altitude of Cayambe?

Cayambe’s summit stands at 5,790 meters (18,996 ft), making it one of the world’s highest active volcanoes.

Q: What is the best time to climb Cayambe?
The best time to climb Cayambe is during the dry seasons, typically from June to early September and again from mid-December to February. These months usually offer clearer skies, better glacier conditions, and safer weather for summit attempts.
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.