What is the minimum age to join the ascent?

The minimum age to participate in the ascents is 16 years old. Participants under this age may only join if they can demonstrate previous experience in glacier ascents and are proficient in the use of crampons and an ice axe. Participation is subject to approval by the guide or tour operator.

What mountain equipment is included in the tour?

The tour includes all the necessary high-mountain technical equipment: boots, crampons, ice axe, harness with carabiner, helmet, headlamp, glacier goggles, balaclava, gaiters, gloves, mittens, fleece pants and overpants. A sleeping bag with sheet, thermos, and purified water are also provided. You only need to bring your personal clothing, toiletries, medication, and a backpack.

What are the temperatures like?

Temperatures on the ascent of Chimborazo range from 0ºC at the refuge to -15ºC at the summit.It is recommended to always carry several thermal layers for the cold. In any case, a fleece jacket is included and a two-layer goretex jacket can also be rented.

Is the room shared or private?

Lodging is private, both at Chakana Lodge and at High Camp.

How can I prepare myself for the altitude reached in the 4-day Chimborazo Climb?

This tour includes two days of pre-training but is not a full acclimatization trip. So, whether you arrive in Ecuador from sea level or from a lower altitude, keep in mind that your body will need at least a week to acclimatize to the altitude before doing the tour.

What does it mean that I am going to make the ascent secured in a rope with my guide?

The roping or progression in a cordage is a safety technique used in highland trekking that allows all climbers to be linked together by a rope. The guide will always go in front, he will check the terrain and give you signals so that you know where to go.

Is the tour available all year round?

Yes, the tour is available all year round. But it is recommended to climb Chimborazo between the months of May to July or November to February.

Where can I leave my luggage?

You can leave your luggage at the office free of charge.

What happens to my tour in case of bad weather?

Ecuador has a saying that we experience all four seasons in a single day, and this is especially true in the Andes, where the weather is highly variable and unpredictable.Even at the moment the tour იწყs in the morning, it’s impossible to know what conditions will be like at the time of the summit ascent, as there can be sudden changes and local variations.With cloudy weather or light snowfall, it is still possible to continue the ascent. However, in risky conditions such as thunderstorms, snowstorms, or excessive wind (the latter being quite common in July and August), the guide will decide not to continue the ascent for safety reasons.In these cases, no refunds will be provided, as weather is a factor beyond our control and all tour operating costs (guiding, transportation, accommodation, meals, etc.) remain the same.It is also not possible to reschedule for the following days, as guides already have their ascents scheduled for the entire month.

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tends of the high camp on the chimborazo

informative sign of the chimborazo climb 4 days

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Chimborazo Climb 4 days

2-day Chimborazo ascent with private ASEGUIM guide + 2 days of prior training

Location

Riobamba

Duration

4 days

Language

Spanish and English

Tour highlights

Chimborazo Climb 4 days

The Chimborazo Climb 4 days is the perfect trek for mountaineers who find the classic ascent from the Carrel Refuge too demanding. With this four-day private guided tour you will have two days of pre-training to practice glacier climbing technique and acclimatize to the altitude on Hans Meier and Whymper Needles. And a final ascent divided in two days: a first approach to the High Camp at 17552 ft. (5.350 m.), and a second one to the Whymper summit at 20547ft. (6.263 m.), passing first through the Veintimilla at 20429 ft. (6.227 m.).

The tour includes all the required high-mountain technical gear: boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet, headlamp, glacier glasses, sleeping bag and more, so you can focus entirely on the adventure.

The sky of Ecuador is waiting for you, do you want to come and see it? 🙂 Read on and discover all the details of this challenge.

Tour details

Chimborazo Climb 4 days

Starts

From the Riobamba office at 8:30 a.m.

Ends

To Riobamba office at 12:00 noon

Included

Full mountain equipment
ASEGUIM mountain guide (1 guide for every 2 climbers)
Lodge and tent accommodation
Chimborazo Reserve entrance permit
Private transfers
All meals
Coffee, tea and filtered water

Not included

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

MANDATORY ACCLIMATIZATION: Proper acclimatization before the climb is essential to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. If your guide determines that you are not sufficiently acclimatized, you will have to turn back without reaching the summit.

PHYSICAL PREPARATION AND ALTITUDE: We recommend spending at least one week in the Andes, starting in Quito or Riobamba at 9,100 ft (2,800 m) and gradually ascending to 14,764 ft (4,500 m), completing high-altitude treks and sleeping at 13,100 ft (4,000 m). We recommend the Ascent to the summit of Carihuairazo.

INCLUDED EQUIPMENT: Mountaineering boots (EU sizes 37–47), crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet, headlamp, glacier sunglasses, thermal clothing, and high-quality protective gear from leading brands. Purified water, a sleeping bag with liner, and a thermos are also included.

WEATHER CONDITIONS: Your guide may cancel the climb due to adverse weather conditions, including storms, heavy snowfall, or strong winds. In these cases, no refunds or date changes will be offered.

RESTRICTIONS: Minimum age of 16, unless previous experience in glacier mountaineering using crampons and an ice axe can be demonstrated.

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

Chimborazo Climb 4 days

DAY 1 Hans Meier Glacier

Maximum altitude: 15099 ft. (4.600 m)
Accommodation: Chakana Lodge

08:30 A.M.

Riobamba

Your guide will be waiting for you at the Riobamba office at 8:30 in the morning. You will load your mountain equipment in the 4x4 and head to the Mechahuasca Community, located between the Carihuairazo and Chimborazo volcanoes, at 13943 ft. (4.250 meters) altitude.

An hour and a half later you will have arrived at your destination. Here you will begin the first acclimatization hike.

Hans Meier Glacier

The guide will help you to put on the equipment and will explain the basic safety notions to take into account. This first route will last 5 to 6 hours.

Leaving through the moorland pastures, and crossing small mountain lakes, you will reach the Hans Meier Glacier, located at 15099 ft. (4.600 m.) And here you will have your first contact with the use of crampons and ice axes from the hand of your guide.

Return to Chakana Lodge

Once the route is finished, you will be picked up in the 4x4 and taken to the lodge located at 12631 ft. (3.850 m.) at the base of the Chimborazo volcano, where you will spend the night.

It's time to have dinner, rest and gather strength for the next day. The route continues!

DAY 2 Needles of Whymper

Maximum altitude: 17388 ft. (5.300 m.)
Accommodation: Chakana Lodge

Carrel Refuge

After breakfast at the lodge, you will be picked up in the 4x4 to take you to the Carrel Hut, located at 15912 ft. (4.850 meters above sea level), where the second day's route will begin.

From Carrel you will climb up to the Whymper Needles at 17388 ft. (5.300 m.) where you can practice the glacier climbing techniques learned the day before.

people at the informative sign of Chimborazo

Return to the lodge

At the end of the route, and being already an expert in the use of crampons and ice axes, you will descend again to the Carrel Refuge car park, passing by the Condorcocha Lagoon. The 4x4 will be waiting for you to go back to the lodge for dinner and rest.

DAY 3 Chimborazo High Camp 17388 ft. (5.350 m)

Duration: 3-4 hours
Maximum altitude: 17388 ft. (5.300 m)
Accommodation: Stubel Basecamp

Carrel Refuge

After breakfast at the lodge and get your strength for the day, you will be picked up and taken in the 4x4 to the Carrel Refuge car park at 15912,07 ft. (4.850 m.).

And from here you will start the first approach to the Stubel Base Camp or High Camp located at 17388 ft. (5.350 m.) of altitude. A road of boulders, rocks, snow and ice awaits you. Let's start!

people arriving at the chimborazo summit

High Camp

After about 3 hours of trekking you will arrive at the camp, located at 17388 ft. (5.350 m.) of altitude. The views from here will start to leave you speechless.

Once installed at the camp, the guide will give a safety briefing with indications about the final ascent, and the weather and snow conditions forecast for that day. As well as a review on the correct use of the equipment.

You will have the whole afternoon to rest in your tent and, if the weather permits, enjoy a unique sunset. Take the opportunity to sleep a few hours, and at midnight, you will begin to prepare yourself to start the final ascent.

DAY 4 Chimborazo summit

Duration: 10 hours
Maximum altitude: 20548 ft. (6.263 m)

00:00 A.M.

Veintimilla Summit 20430 ft. (6.227 m.)

After having rested for a few hours at the camp, the time has come to start the ascent to the summit of Chimborazo.

Secured in a rope with your guide, you will begin the ascent along the glacier ridge. This part of the route has steep slopes of between 30 and 40 degrees and some icy stretches of up to 45 degrees.

After 5 hours of ascent, you will reach the first summit: the Veintimilla, at 20430 ft. (6.227 m.) First peak reached!

Whymper Summit 20548 ft. (6.263 m.)

At this point, if you still have enough strength left and if the weather is good, you can decide if you want to continue the hike to the summit of the Chimborazo volcano.

In 1 hour you will reach the Whymper summit at 20548 ft. (6.263 m.), the furthest point from the centre of the Earth!

Descent to the Carrel Refuge

You can't even imagine the views that await you in the Ecuadorian sky.

After a short break to regain your strength, you will start the descent to the Carrel Refuge. In about 4 hours you will arrive at the car park where the 4x4 will be waiting to take you back to Riobamba.

What to bring

Chimborazo Climb 4 days

To make the ascent to Chimborazo Summit, it is essential to have proper clothing and equipment for high-altitude mountaineering.

You should bring:

30–40 liter backpack (for ascents) or 50–60 liters if going to Campo Alto.
Several layers of warm and waterproof clothing: thermal underwear, mountain socks, long-sleeve shirt, long pants, waterproof jacket and pants.
Reusable water bottle.
Sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher) and lip protection.
Personal toiletries and any required medication.

The tour includes:

High-mountain boots (sizes 37–47).
Crampons, ice axe, and harness with carabiner.
Mountain helmet and glacier goggles.
Headlamp with batteries.
Balaclava, gaiters, fleece gloves, mittens, fleece pants, and overtrousers.
Sleeping bag with sheet and thermos flask.
Purified water.

Available for rent at the office:

30–40 liter backpack (USD 3/day).
50–60 liter backpack (USD 5/day).
Jacket (USD 5/day).
Trekking poles (USD 5/day per pair).

Where does the tour start

Chimborazo Climb 4 days

The tour starts at our Riobamba office at 8:30 a.m., where the team and your mountain guide will be waiting for you to begin the adventure. At the end of the activity on the second day, you will return to the same starting point around 12:00 p.m., so you can comfortably plan the rest of your day. The exact address will be provided in your booking confirmation.

Questions & Answers

Chimborazo Climb 4 days

What is the minimum age to join the ascent?
The minimum age to participate in the ascents is 16 years old. Participants under this age may only join if they can demonstrate previous experience in glacier ascents and are proficient in the use of crampons and an ice axe. Participation is subject to approval by the guide or tour operator.
What mountain equipment is included in the tour?
The tour includes all the necessary high-mountain technical equipment: boots, crampons, ice axe, harness with carabiner, helmet, headlamp, glacier goggles, balaclava, gaiters, gloves, mittens, fleece pants and overpants. A sleeping bag with sheet, thermos, and purified water are also provided. You only need to bring your personal clothing, toiletries, medication, and a backpack.
What are the temperatures like?
Temperatures on the ascent of Chimborazo range from 0ºC at the refuge to -15ºC at the summit.
It is recommended to always carry several thermal layers for the cold. In any case, a fleece jacket is included and a two-layer goretex jacket can also be rented.
Is the room shared or private?
Lodging is private, both at Chakana Lodge and at High Camp.
How can I prepare myself for the altitude reached in the 4-day Chimborazo Climb?
This tour includes two days of pre-training but is not a full acclimatization trip. So, whether you arrive in Ecuador from sea level or from a lower altitude, keep in mind that your body will need at least a week to acclimatize to the altitude before doing the tour.
What does it mean that I am going to make the ascent secured in a rope with my guide?
The roping or progression in a cordage is a safety technique used in highland trekking that allows all climbers to be linked together by a rope. The guide will always go in front, he will check the terrain and give you signals so that you know where to go.
Is the tour available all year round?
Yes, the tour is available all year round. But it is recommended to climb Chimborazo between the months of May to July or November to February.
Where can I leave my luggage?
You can leave your luggage at the office free of charge.
What happens to my tour in case of bad weather?
Ecuador has a saying that we experience all four seasons in a single day, and this is especially true in the Andes, where the weather is highly variable and unpredictable.
Even at the moment the tour იწყs in the morning, it’s impossible to know what conditions will be like at the time of the summit ascent, as there can be sudden changes and local variations.
With cloudy weather or light snowfall, it is still possible to continue the ascent. However, in risky conditions such as thunderstorms, snowstorms, or excessive wind (the latter being quite common in July and August), the guide will decide not to continue the ascent for safety reasons.
In these cases, no refunds will be provided, as weather is a factor beyond our control and all tour operating costs (guiding, transportation, accommodation, meals, etc.) remain the same.
It is also not possible to reschedule for the following days, as guides already have their ascents scheduled for the entire month.