Mountain Climbing - 4 Summits

The 4 Summits expedition is a 12-day mountain climbing adventure across Ecuador's biggest peaks: Iliniza Norte (5,112m), Cayambe, Antisana or Cotopaxi (depending on park conditions — Cotopaxi is currently open for climbing), and Chimborazo. Beginning in Quito and ending in Riobamba, the itinerary builds altitude progressively, starting with a free day in Quito's UNESCO-listed Old Town and a self-guided acclimatization trek up Rucu Pichincha (4,698m) before moving into the sequence of midnight glacier climbs, each timed to reach the summit at sunrise.

The route mixes serious climbing with genuine recovery: rest days are built in after Cayambe and before Chimborazo, and accommodation moves between the Quito Basecamp Hotel, mountain refuges, a tented camp at the base of Antisana (which has no refuge), and the Chimborazo Basecamp. Iliniza Norte rarely holds snow and requires only trekking boots, harness, and helmet — great acclimatization training — while Cayambe, Antisana (with crevasses your guide will help navigate), Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo are demanding high-altitude glacier climbs requiring strong fitness and stamina.

The trip includes certified ASEGUIM guides, transportation with round-trip Quito transfers, accommodations, meals at the refuges, water and snacks, climbing permits, climbing gear, adventure insurance, and logistics. Guests need to bring their own backpack (20–30 liter attack pack), sunglasses, snow goggles, and inner layer gloves. Tips are not included (suggested $10 or more), and international airfare is arranged by guests themselves.

Location: Ecuador — Quito, Rucu Pichincha, Iliniza National Park (Iliniza Norte), Cayambe, Antisana National Park or Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo. The trip starts in Quito and ends in Riobamba.

Duration: 12 days.

Activity Type: High-altitude mountain climbing and trekking with a progressive acclimatization program. Includes a self-guided 5–7 hour round-trip trek on Rucu Pichincha (Uber to the TelefériQo is recommended), a non-glaciated climb of Iliniza Norte requiring only trekking boots, harness, and helmet, and demanding midnight glacier ascents of Cayambe, Antisana or Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo. Antisana involves crevasse terrain identified with your guide's help. Strong physical fitness and stamina at altitude are required; rest days are built into the schedule.

Accommodation: A mix of hotels, lodges, refuges, and camping: Quito Basecamp Hotel in the historic center (nights 1–4 and night 7), Cayambe refuge (night 5), Andina Huasi lodge after the Cayambe summit (night 6), a tented camp at the Antisana base or the Cotopaxi refuge (night 8), Chimborazo Basecamp at 3,900m (nights 9–10), and the Carrel Refuge on Chimborazo (night 11). Package options:

• Trip Price: $2,715 per person

A deposit of $900 is required to reserve your spot. A 2.9% card processing fee is added automatically when paying by card.

Day 1 — Arrival in Quito

Arrive at Mariscal Sucre International Airport and transfer to the Quito Basecamp Hotel in the heart of the historic center. Settle in, explore the vibrant streets nearby, or enjoy a quiet dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2 — Free Day in Quito

Discover Quito's Old Town at your own pace — Plaza Grande, the gilded La Compañía de Jesús Church, and the San Francisco Monastery. Climb the towers of the Basílica del Voto Nacional for panoramic views, or visit Panecillo Hill for a closer look at the Virgin of Quito statue.

Day 3 — Rucu Pichincha Trek (4,698m)

Head on your own (Uber recommended) to the TelefériQo cable car, which carries you up to 3,945 meters on the slopes of Pichincha. From there, trek to the summit of Rucu Pichincha — roughly 5–7 hours round trip across grassy plains and rocky paths. Bring water, snacks, and warm layers, then return to the hotel to recover.

Day 4 — Iliniza Norte Summit (5,112m)

Depart Quito at 6:00 a.m. for the two-hour drive to Iliniza National Park, then trek toward the summit with a short snack stop at the Iliniza refuge. Iliniza Norte rarely has snow or glacier — only trekking boots, harness, and helmet are needed — making it excellent acclimatization training. Return to the Quito basecamp after the summit.

Day 5 — Transfer to Cayambe Refuge

Depart at 11:00 a.m. for the 2.5-hour drive to Cayambe, with lunch in Cayambe town. After registration at the national park, continue about an hour to the refuge. Dinner at 5:00 p.m., then rest until the midnight summit attack. Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 6 — Cayambe Summit

The climb starts at midnight, aiming to reach the summit by 6–7 a.m. via the most accessible paths with your specialized guide. Descend to the refuge for breakfast, then transfer to the Andina Huasi lodge to rest and recover. Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 7 — Rest Day

A free day for resting and recovering at the Quito basecamp. Meals: breakfast and dinner.

Day 8 — Antisana Base Camp or Cotopaxi Refuge

After breakfast, depart for Antisana National Park — a roughly 3-hour drive including several mountaineering controls inside the park — where camp is set up at the Antisana base (the mountain has no refuge). Cotopaxi is currently open for climbing, in which case the drive goes to the Cotopaxi refuge instead. Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 9 — Antisana or Cotopaxi Summit

The summit attack begins at midnight. Antisana takes about 7 hours to the peak, with crevasses along the way that your guide will help identify; for Cotopaxi, the climb departs the refuge at midnight with a 6–8 a.m. summit. After sunrise photos at the top, descend, exit the park, and drive to Riobamba. Meals: breakfast.

Day 10 — Chimborazo Basecamp Rest Day (3,900m)

A resting and acclimatization day at 3,900 meters before the Chimborazo climb. Meals: breakfast and dinner.

Day 11 — Carrel Refuge & Midnight Start

Pick up at lunchtime and transfer to the car park at 4,800 meters, then settle in at the Carrel Refuge. Dinner is served at 5:00 p.m. — an optional high camp upgrade is available for $55. At midnight, the climb to the summit begins. Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 12 — Chimborazo Summit & Return to Riobamba

Reach the summit within the 6:00–7:30 a.m. window, then climb down to the Carrel Refuge for breakfast. Right after, transfer back to Riobamba, where services end. Meals: breakfast.

• ASEGUIM Guides
• Transportation
• Meals on refuge
• Water and snacks
• Mountain Refuge
• Climbing Permits
• Adventure Insurance
• Climbing Gear
• Transfer Quito

Ida y vuelta

• Accommodation
• Logistics

• Back Pack

        Attack pack 20 -30 lters

• Sun Glasses

        Snow gogles

• Inner layer gloves
• Head lamp
• Tips

        suggested $10 or more