Ascent to the summit of Carihuairazo
Ascent with private guide ASEGUIM to the summit of the volcano Carihuairazo in two days
Briefing
The Carihuairazo Climbing is the perfect trek to get started in high mountain and start practicing acclimatization in extreme conditions.
A 2-day guided ascent with a clear objective: the summit of the Carihuairazo volcano at 5,028 meters above sea level. The perfect contact you can make on a lower mountain before reaching the summit of the Cotopaxi or Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador. In addition, the Carihuairazo has a small glacier where you will practice the use of crampons and ice axe.
Are you ready for this adventure? Here we tell you all the details:
Tour details
Included
- Mountain guide
- Private transportation
- Lodging in the refuge
- All meals
- Coffee, tea and filtered water
- Mountain equipment
Not included
- Other beverages
- Travel insurance
- Tips
- Trekking poles (available for rent 5 USD/day)
- Waterproof jacket (available for rent for 5 USD/day)
- Backpack (available for rent Large: 5 USD/day - Small: 3 USD/day)
Important information
The Carihuairazo Climbing tour aims to summit the volcano at 5,028 meters above sea level. This ascent is the perfect option to acclimatize to a lower mountain before reaching the summit of the Cotopaxi or Chimborazo volcano. The Carihuairazo volcano has a small glacier where you can practice the use of crampons and ice axe.
Previous experience in high mountain is not necessary, but it will be essential to be in good physical shape.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation! If you cancel at least 46 days before the tour starts, you will receive a 100% refund of the amount paid. If you cancel between 45 and 31 days before the start of the tour, you will receive a 75% refund of the amount paid. If you cancel between 30 and 16 days before the start of the tour you will receive a 50% refund of the amount paid. After this time or in case of not doing the activity, no refund will be made and it will not be possible to modify the reservation.
Tour itinerary
DAY 1 Riobamba - Carihuairazo Refuge
Starting elevation: 2.764 masl
Highest elevation: 4,200 meters above sea level
Difficulty: low
📍 Meeting point in Riobamba
At 9:30 a.m. the guide will be waiting for us at the Riobamba office. He will explain to us the basic safety notions to take into account, we will board the private transportation with him and head to the foot of the Carihuairazo volcano. After a two-hour road trip, we will arrive at our destination.
Acclimatization to the Carihuairazo Volcano
The first day of the Carihuairazo Climbing tour will serve as acclimatization to the high mountain. Accompanied by our guide, we will take a short one-hour hike in the paramo, where herds of vicuñas live. The guide will take advantage of this first contact to explain the glacier hiking techniques that we will practice during the second day.
Dinner and rest at the Carihuairazo Refuge.
After the hike, we will return to the refuge located at 4,200 meters above sea level to have dinner and rest for a few hours before starting the ascent to the summit of the volcano. High mountain ascents are done at night or very early in the morning, as it is safer and more advisable and also allows us to start the day in one of the most magical places on the planet 😊.
DAY 2 Carihuairazo Refuge - Carihuairazo Summit - Carihuairazo Refuge - Riobamba
Starting elevation: 4.200 meters above sea level
Highest elevation: 5,028 meters above sea level
Difficulty: medium - high
Carihuairazo climbing
After having rested in the refuge, what is promised is debt: the guided ascent to the Carihuairazo volcano begins. But not before having a good breakfast to regain strength. At 3:00 in the morning we will leave the refuge accompanied by our guide. After a 2 to 3 hour walk through the moor we will arrive at the Carihuairazo glacier.
Carihuairazo Glacier
From the Carihuairazo glacier we will continue the hike with our mountain guide. The ascent to the volcano is done with a maximum of two travelers per guide, so the roping will always be 2 to 3 people. In this part of the tour we will practice the techniques of glacier progression. At the end of the day, we will all be experts using crampons and ice axe!
💬 If roping or cordage progression has sounded like Chinese to you, it is a safety technique used in high mountain climbing that allows all the climbers to be linked together by a rope. The guide will always go in front and make sure that you do not make any false steps. When you go first, he will check the terrain and give you signs so that you know where to go.
Summit of the Carihuairazo Volcano
Depending on the snow conditions that day, the last 20 meters of the route before reaching the summit may be more or less technical. Around 8:00 in the morning, we will have arrived! The summit of the Carihuairazo volcano at 5,028 meters above sea level will be conquered. From there, we will enjoy unique views of Chimborazo, known as the big brother of Carihuairazo, and surely your next challenge 🙌🏼.
Descent to the refuge and return to Riobamba
After enjoying a small and more than deserved rest after reaching the summit of Carihuairazo, we will begin the descent to the refuge. Again in cordade with our guide, we will descend to the Carihuairazo Refuge where we will take the private transport that will take us back to Riobamba. We will arrive at the office where we started the tour around 13:00. Here we will finish the Carihuairazo Climbing. Shall we start preparing for the next summit?
What to bring to Ascent to the summit of Carihuairazo
- Medium size backpack for the ascent
- Water bottle
- Clothing: thermal underwear, hiking socks, T-shirt and long pants, waterproof jacket and pants
- Sunscreen with a high degree of protection (factor 50 or more)
- Sunglasses
- Lip protector
- Personal hygiene items
- Face mask
- Alcohol-based disinfectant
Questions & Answers
Can I climb the Carihuairazo volcano if I have no experience in high mountain?
Yes, if you have no previous experience in high mountain you can also do the ascent of the Carihuairazo volcano with Howlanders. In fact, this climb is the perfect option to acclimatize to a lower mountain before summiting higher volcanoes such as Cotopaxi or Chimborazo. The Carihuairazo volcano has a small glacier where you can practice the use of crampons and ice axe following the instructions of your guide.What is the group size for the Carihuairazo Climbing?
The Carihuairazo Climbing tour is only done in small groups to guarantee the safety of the activity. The group will have a maximum number of 2 travelers who will be accompanied at all times by a mountain guide.We are a group of more than two travelers, can we climb Carihuairazo together?
Yes, if you are more than two travelers you can do the ascent of the Carihuairazo volcano together on the same day. The ratio will always be two travelers per guide. So, for example, if you are 4 travelers, you would do the climb with two mountain guides.What is included in the breakfast on the second day of the Carihuairazo Climbing tour?
The breakfast you will have before starting the ascent includes tea or coffee, hot oatmeal or yogurt with granola, and a sandwich. In addition, for the ascent you will be given a thermos with coca tea, an energizing drink and snacks suitable for high mountain climbing such as granola bar, chocolate, nuts, cookies or dried fruits.
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