Mountain Climbing - Cotopaxi -Chimborazo 9 days

Mountain Climbing - Cotopaxi - Chimborazo 9 days is a comprehensive 9-day mountaineering expedition in Ecuador that combines two of the country's greatest volcanoes: Cotopaxi (5,897 m) and Chimborazo (6,263 m), the highest point in Ecuador and the closest point on Earth to the sun. Starting from Quito, the itinerary builds in a carefully paced acclimatization program — a city tour, the Rucu Pichincha hike, and recovery days at Tambo Paxi and Chimborazo Basecamp — before each summit push. Guided by certified ASEGUIM guides, it's a serious high-altitude adventure designed to maximize summit success.

Highlights include a guided tour of Quito's UNESCO-listed Old Town, an acclimatization ascent of Rucu Pichincha (4,696 m) via the TelefériQo cable car, the first summit of Cotopaxi staged from the José Rivas Refuge, and the Chimborazo summit push from High Camp at 5,300 m toward the Veintimilla and Whymper summits. The pace is demanding, with midnight starts, long glacier climbs of 6–7 hours, and back-to-back summits, so a high level of fitness and mountaineering readiness is essential. The full "climb high, sleep low" strategy gives climbers the best possible chance on both peaks.

This is the operator's most inclusive climbing package: the price covers ASEGUIM guides, transportation, meals at the refuges, water and snacks, mountain refuge and all hotel/lodge accommodation, climbing permits, adventure insurance, climbing gear, and round-trip Quito transfers. Guests need to bring their own backpack (a 30–45 liter attack pack recommended), sunglasses, snow goggles, and inner layer gloves, and should budget for tips (suggested $10 or more), some meals on free days in Riobamba, and international airfare to Ecuador, arranged separately. Bilingual guides require advance notice. An optional Mindo cloud forest extension is available.

Location: Quito, Ecuador (climbs at Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, with accommodation in Quito, Tambo Paxi, and at Chimborazo).

Duration: 9 days.

Activity Type: Guided high-altitude mountaineering with two summit climbs — Cotopaxi (5,897 m) and Chimborazo (6,263 m) — led by ASEGUIM guides. Includes acclimatization hikes (Rucu Pichincha, 4,696 m), gentle recovery days, midnight summit pushes, and long glacier climbs of 6–7 hours using crampons, ice axes, and ropes. A high level of physical fitness and mountaineering preparation is required. Bilingual guides require advance notice.

Accommodation: Quito Basecamp Hotel (Days 1–3 and a complimentary final night), Tambo Paxi Lodge (3,750 m), José Rivas Refuge (Cotopaxi), Chimborazo Basecamp Lodge (3,900 m), and High Camp tents (5,300 m) across the itinerary.

• Trip Price: $1,820 per person
• Mindo Cloud Forest 3-day tour (add-on): $275 per person — post-climb extension with forest walks, birdwatching, butterfly sanctuary and waterfall visits, including accommodation, private transport, guided activities, and selected meals

Deposit: $550 per person to reserve.

Day 1 — Quito Arrival

Arrival in Quito, where the team welcomes you at the airport and provides a private transfer to Quito Basecamp Hotel for check-in. Overnight in Quito.

Day 2 — Quito Old Town City Tour

A half-day guided tour through Quito's UNESCO-listed Historic Centre, visiting Plaza Grande, the Metropolitan Cathedral, La Compañía de Jesús, San Francisco Plaza, and the Basilica of the National Vow. At 2,850 m, the relaxed walk doubles as gentle first acclimatization, with the rest of the day free. Overnight in Quito.

Day 3 — Rucu Pichincha Trek

After breakfast, ride the TelefériQo from around 3,100 m to Cruz Loma (3,950 m), then trek across the páramo toward Rucu Pichincha, possibly summiting at 4,696 m. The 5–6 hour "climb high, sleep low" hike aids acclimatization before returning to Quito. Overnight in Quito.

Day 4 — Tambo Paxi

Travel by private transport to Cotopaxi National Park, complete registration, and continue to Tambo Paxi Lodge (3,750 m) beneath Cotopaxi. The day is dedicated to acclimatization and recovery, with optional gentle páramo walks. Dinner and a climb briefing at the lodge; breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Overnight in a private room at Tambo Paxi Lodge.

Day 5 — José Rivas Refuge

Lunch at Tambo Paxi at midday, then a gear check before departing between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. for the José Rivas Refuge (4,864 m). Drive to the 4,780 m car park and trek 40–50 minutes up a steep sandy trail to the refuge. Dinner at 5:00 p.m., then rest before a midnight summit departure. Overnight at the refuge.

Day 6 — Cotopaxi Summit (5,897 m)

The climb begins around midnight after a light meal, safety briefing, and rope-team setup, ascending Cotopaxi's glacier over 6–7 hours to reach the summit near sunrise. After photos, descend 2–3 hours to the José Rivas Refuge for breakfast, then travel south to Chimborazo Basecamp Lodge (4,000 m) to recover. Light pre-climb meal, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Overnight at Chimborazo Basecamp Lodge.

Day 7 — Chimborazo Basecamp

A full day of leisure, recovery, and acclimatization at Chimborazo Basecamp Lodge (3,900 m). Optional gentle walks near the lodge may reveal wild vicuñas, but no strenuous activity is planned. The team reviews the next stage and checks equipment. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 8 — Chimborazo High Camp

Meet the team around midday for lunch and a climb briefing at Chimborazo Basecamp Lodge, then a final gear check before driving to the Carrel Refuge (4,800 m). Trek 2–3 hours to High Camp (5,300 m), settle into tents, and rest. Dinner is served early at 5:00 p.m. before the nighttime summit attempt. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a light pre-climb meal included. Overnight in High Camp tents.

Day 9 — Chimborazo Summit (6,263 m)

After roughly 6–7 hours of climbing, aim to reach the summit between 6:00 and 7:30 a.m. — either the Veintimilla Summit (6,230 m) or the Whymper Summit (6,263 m), with 7:30 the latest recommended time. Descend around 3 hours to High Camp for breakfast, collect gear, and leave the reserve. Private transport returns you to Quito for a complimentary final night at Quito Basecamp Hotel. Snacks and post-climb breakfast included.

• ASEGUIM Guides

        NAtional certified guides - for bilingual guides time in advance                     is needed.

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

        Ida y vuelta

• All accommodations

        Hotels lodges and mountain refuges

• Back Pack

        Attack pack 30-45 litres recomended

• Sun Glasses

        Snow gogles

• Inner layer gloves
• Tips

        suggested $10 or more

• Some meals

        Lunch or dinner on free days (Riobamba)