Chimborazo Climb 4 days
Ascent with a private ASEGUIM guide to the summit of the Chimborazo volcano in two days with two days of previous training
Briefing
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 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
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
In order to complete the ascent safely and avoid suffering from altitude sickness and the risks that this entails, it is essential that you acclimatize well before starting the ascent. If you have not acclimatized properly and the guide does not consider it safe, you will return to the beginning of the route without reaching the summit. For correct acclimatization you will have to spend at least one week in the Andes, starting in cities such as Quito or Riobamba (at 9186 ft. / 2800 m.), and gradually climbing to higher altitudes between 11483 ft. (3500 m.) and 14764 ft. (4500 meters). It is also advisable to do some previous trekking at these altitudes and if possible to sleep at 13123 ft. (4000 m.) before starting the ascent.
From Howlanders we recommend ascents to the Iliniza Norte volcano or Carihuairazo volcano as acclimatization treks prior to the ascent of the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes.
The average temperature ranges from -3ºC (base camp) to -15ºC (summit).
The tour departs all year round, but it is recommended to do it from May to July or from November to February.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation! If you cancel at least 30 days before the start of the tour, you will receive 100% of the amount paid. If you cancel between 29 and 15 days before the tour starts, you will receive 80% of the amount paid. If you cancel between 15 and 8 days before the start of the tour, you will receive 50% of the paid amount. After this time, or in case of no-show, no refunds will be made.
Tour itinerary
DAY 1 Hans Meier Glacier
Maximum altitude: 15099 ft. (4.600 m)
Accommodation: Chakana Lodge
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.
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!
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)
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 to Chimborazo Climb 4 days
- Middle sized daypack
- Water bottle
- Several layers of warm and waterproof clothing: thermal underwear, warm trekking socks, long sleeved t-shirt and long trousers, waterproof jacket and pants
- Sun cream with high protection factor (50 or more)
- Lip salve
- Personal toiletry articles
- Personal medicine
- Face mask plus buff
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Questions & Answers
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