We are two people, can we each choose one option?

Yes, being a private tour, the itinerary can be adapted to the needs of all members of the group. If you are two or more travelers and each one wants to choose a descent option, please contact us and we will help you make your reservation.

How can I prepare myself for the altitude reached on this tour?

Although this tour is considered of easy difficulty, the difference in altitude is a greater effort and can generate altitude sickness, so it is very important to arrive in Riobamba or an area of similar altitude at least two or three days before the start of the tour and not to make physical effort. We also recommend eating lightly, drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcoholic beverages. Especially the day before the tour.

road to Refugio Whymper from refugio carrel

cyclist in front of the sign chimborazo refugio hermanos carrel

group of cyclists descending the volcano chimborazo

vicuña resting at the chimborazo reserve

1 / 8

Show all pictures

Chimborazo Day Tour from Riobamba

Q: Does the Chimborazo volcano tour from Riobamba depart all year round?

Yes, this tour can be done all year round, but it is recommended to do it from May to August and from November to February.

Ascend to the Whymper refuge and descend Chimborazo by mountain bike or private vehicle

Riobamba

1 day

Spanish and English

Starts: From your accommodation in Riobamba at 8:30 a.m.

Ends: To your accommodation in Riobamba between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.

Free cancellation!

Briefing

Get closer to the sky of Ecuador, with this private Chimborazo Day Tour from Riobamba.

You will hike the volcanic rock trails from the Carrel Hut (4850 m.) to the Whymper Hut (5050 m.) and the Condor Cocha lagoon (5100 m.) on a short easy level route accompanied by a professional guide.

And you will also have a plus of adrenaline at your choice. You can descend the Chimborazo volcano by mountain bike choosing between one of the two routes (easy or difficult). Or if you prefer, you can do it from the comfort of a private vehicle.

The tour includes lunch at a local restaurant in San Juan, the entrance permit to the Chimborazo Reserve, private transportation from Riobamba and all the necessary equipment to enjoy this adventure. Will you join us? 😎

Tour details

Included

Certified guide
Private transfers to and from Riobamba + support vehicle
Marin Mountain Bikes
Top quality safety equipment: helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves and goggles.
Lunch at local restaurant
Chimborazo Reserve entry permit

Not included

Insurance
Tips

Important information

Altitude reached on foot: 4850-5100 m / 1591-16732 ft.

Duration of the walking tour: 2 hours

Altitude reached by bicycle: 4850-2900 m / 1591-9514 ft.

Duration of the bicycle route: 2 hours

Average temperatures 0°/ 32° F (highest point) to 16° C/ 60° F (end of cycling route)

The tour can be done all year round, but it is recommended to do it from May to August and from November to February.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation! If you cancel at least 30 days before the tour starts, you will receive 100% of the amount paid. If you cancel between 29 and 8 days before the tour starts, you will receive 50% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of no-show, no refunds will be given.

Tour itinerary

Chimborazo Day Tour

👣 Walking route: 2 hours - 2 km.
🚲 Bike route: 2 hours - 37 km.
🔺 Maximum altitude: 5100 m / 16732 ft.
🔻 Minimum altitude: 2900 m / 9514 ft.

Departure from Riobamba

The tour will start from your accommodation in Riobamba at 8:30 in the morning.

You will board the private vehicle (only for your group) and take a road trip of approximately 1.5 hours to reach the Carrel Refuge, located at 4850 m., inside the Chimborazo Reserve.

Along the way, you will make several short stops to take pictures of the mountains and observe the vicuñas. In case you didn't know, they are the wild cousins of llamas and alpacas. For this reason, you will see them more disheveled 🦙

Carrel Refuge 4850 m.

From here, and after receiving safety instructions from the guide, you will begin the 1 km. hike on a rocky and (depending on the weather of the previous days) snowy trail.

Whymper Refuge 5050 m. - Condor Cocha Lagoon 5100 m.

The road will gradually ascend to the Whymper Refuge at 5050 m. and the Condor Cocha Lagoon. A small glacier lake located at 5100 m. and the highest point of the route. It will be the perfect place to contemplate the ever-changing mountain scenery.

After enjoying these unique views, we will return by the same route to the Carrel Refuge.

👆 TO KEEP IN MIND

At this point, the Chimborazo volcano tour from Riobamba offers you three options:

Descend from Refugio Carrel to San Juan by bike (Easy self-guided route).
Descend from Refugio Carrel to San Juan by bike (Guided Difficult Route)
Descend from Refugio Carrel to San Juan by car.

👉 Choose the option that best suits you and select it in the booking form.

OPTION 1 - DOWNHILL BIKING ROUTE 1 (EASY)

🚶‍♂️ Self-guided
🚲 Distance: 37 km
🕗 Duration: 2 hours
✅ Suitable for beginners

On this route you will descend on the same roads you came up by car. A total of 8 km of dirt road + 29 km of paved road. The level will be easy to moderate, and the route is suitable for beginners.

This option will be led by an English and Spanish speaking driver-guide who will follow you in the support vehicle and assist you when necessary. This route will be self-guided.

👆 If you select OPTION 1 you will do both the hike and bike descent in a self-guided way.

OPTION 2 - DOWNHILL BIKING ROUTE 2 (DIFFICULT)

✅ Guided
🚲 Distance: 37 km
🕗 Duration: 2 hours
🚨 Requires experience

The total distance you will bike with option 3 is the same, but includes about 20 km of off-road biking. This makes the level moderate to difficult. It has several technical trails and steeper descents with a mix of sand and gravel. This option is for experienced mountain bikers.

The guide will accompany you on both the hike and the bike descent, and there will also be a driver following you in the support vehicle.

OPTION 3 - DESCENT BY CAR

✅ Comfort
🚐 Distance: 32 km
🕗 Duration: 1-2 hours

If downhill biking isn't for you, don't worry. This tour also has the plan C you need 😎.

You can choose option 3 and descend to San Juan in a private vehicle at your leisure. You will make several stops to appreciate the scenery and take pictures.

San Juan - Lunch

Whichever option you choose, all of them will take you through an amazing change of scenery: snow-capped mountain slopes, volcanic lunar landscapes, green farmlands or even indigenous villages towards the end of the road. And they will end in the town of San Juan, just 20 km. from Riobamba.

Where in the company of your guide, you will stop at a local restaurant to enjoy a delicious lunch included in the tour.

Return to Riobamba

After lunch, you will board your private vehicle and head to Riobamba, a 30-minute drive. You will be back to your accommodation around 3:00 PM.

What to bring to Chimborazo Day Tour from Riobamba

Small backpack close to the body
Water bottle
Comfortable clothing suitable for cold climates
Hard-soled hiking boots
Waterproof jacket
Gloves
Protective neck brace
Sunscreen with a high degree of protection (factor 50 or higher)
Lip balm
Sunglasses

Where does the tour Chimborazo Day Tour from Riobamba start

🚐 This tour includes pick-up and drop-off service at the accommodations located in the urban area of the city of Riobamba.

📍 The city of Riobamba is connected by several bus lines with the main airports of Ecuador. The closest airports are Cuenca (140 km away), Guayaquil (147.4 km) or Quito (174.9 km), so the best option is to arrive by bus from any of these cities.