The Ecuadorian Andes are a climber’s mecca. The vast array of snow-capped peaks in Ecuador has something to offer climbers of all abilities, from first timers to experienced technical mountaineers.
For experienced mountaineers we can provide qualified local mountain guides and full back-up teams.
For beginners we offer 3-day mountaineering courses. The course can be followed by guided ascents of suitable peaks.
The course can be done on either Cotopaxi or Cayambe. Following the course, if you are adequately acclimatised, you may like to climb Cotopaxi, Cayambe or Chimborazo. This can be done directly after the mountaineering course or after returning briefly to Quito. We recommend several days in Quito and at least two peaks before doing our mountaineering course or attempting peaks over 5,000m – see acclimatisation peaks in factfile.
Cotopaxi is Ecuador's second-highest peak and one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. It is a nearly perfect snow-capped volcanic cone, situated 55 kilometres south of Quito in Cotopaxi National Park. We drive to just below the refuge (4,800m). The mountaineering course takes place on the glacier within an hours walk of the hut. It is a 6-8 hour climb to the summit, mostly on steep snow and ice slopes. First climbed in November 1872 by Angel Maria Escobar (Colombia) and Wilhelm Reiss (Germany). Its last eruption was in 1904.
Cayambe, at 5789m, is the highest and coldest point on the equator. It is the only place on earth where the latitude is zero degrees and so is the temperature. Long thought extinct, Cayambe is now deemed to be active and is closely monitored.
From Quito it is a 2. 5-hour drive. In our 4WD vehicle we can reach the mountain hut at 4650 m. The mountaineering course begins on the glaciers within half an hour from the hut. Cayambe boasts huge glaciers that cover all sides of this massive bulky mountain. It is not as steep as Cotopaxi but the climbing ascent takes approximately the same time as Cotopaxi, approximately 6 to 7 hours from the refuge to the summit.
On both peaks snow and ice conditions vary from year to year and the glacier changes shape, always requiring a constant monitoring of the situation in choosing a route. Crevasses and weather conditions may prevent us reaching the summit.
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