Chimborazo: the highest point on the planet!
The group is full! It's possible to join with next year's travel group.
Get ready for the highest summit climb of the year! Let's explore a tiny, but very exciting and well-developed country in South America - Ecuador.
Chimborazo (6263 m) is the highest peak in Ecuador and also the highest point on Earth. Although Mount Everest is the highest peak on the planet measured from sea level, due to the asymmetrical shape of the Earth, Chimborazo is the highest peak measured from the center of the Earth. The peak can be climbed all year round due to its equatorial climate, although the summer and winter periods are most recommended - then the sky is clearer and the weather is more stable.
Since alpine glacier equipment is used during the summit climb and it is not a hiking trail (UIAA difficulty level II), this trip requires previous mountaineering experience and acclimatisation to altitude.
This trip is intended for anyone who has previously hiked or climbed to an altitude of at least 4000 m.
The ascent of Chimborazo is also preceded by a thorough acclimatization program, during which we train our bodies to cope with altitude and recall the elements of movement on a glacier and glacier rescue.
During acclimatization, we will hike at high altitudes and also climb to the summit of two tall volcanoes: Northern tip of Illiniza (5248 m) and Cotopaxi (5897 m).
During our time in the mountains, we stay in simple mountain huts where it is warm and comfortable to sleep, and where we are served hearty, nourishing hut meals. On Chimborazo, we will also spend nights in local high-altitude tents. Throughout the mountain program, additional safety is ensured by experienced local guides.
We travel between the mountains in a private minibus and stay overnight in comfortable hotels.
The journey begins and ends from Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Quito is home to one of the best-preserved historic centers in South America, earning it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Since Quito is located at an altitude of 2800 m, acclimatization actually begins as soon as you step off the plane.
Overview - short & sweet
Goal: climb Chimborazo (6263 m)
Dates: 01.-15.11.2026
Activity: mountain climbing, mountain hiking
Accommodation: hotels in cities, mountain huts in the mountains
Adventure guide: Kelli Saar
Technical difficulty level: 2.5/5
Route difficulty: PD (steep slopes, high peak, possible icy climb)
Physical difficulty: 4/5 (heavy physical exertion in high altitude)
Group size: min 4, max 8 (+2 adventure guides)
TOUR PRICE:
Trip price: €3290
NB! Elamus+ community members get a 5–10% discount. Read more and check your discount eligibility. community members page.
👉 Equipment list (EST) 👈
👉 Equipment list (ENG) 👈
Travel cost
Price includes
Trip organization and on-site guidance by an adventure guide with 6000 m experience (mountaineering EKR3 assistant coach certificate)
Local guides for each rope team
Local guide in Quilotoa National Park
All overnight stays (cabins and high-altitude camp tents in the mountains, hotels in cities)
On-site transport in a comfortable minibus (and other associated transport costs)
Breakfast every day of the trip (both in cabins and hotels)
Nourishing dinners in mountain huts and high-altitude camps
Mountain permits, national park fees
Climbing harness and helmet use on the summit of Illiniza (2 days)
Special climbing equipment for the group (ropes, ice augers, carabiners and other glacier equipment)
Stylish Elamus+ designed sports shirt
Group pharmacy (including high-altitude medications, blood oxygen meter, etc.)
Elamus+ mountaineering preparation package worth €350:
access to online mountaineering webinars;
A sample training plan and workbook for mountain hikers
a personal 30-minute online call with the tour guide, upon request;
winter mountaineering training before the trip*;
summer mountaineering training before the trip*.
*Held once a year — participation depends on the time of registration. Trainings take place in Estonia.
Price does not include
Flight tickets to Quito
Transportation from the airport to the hotel (taxi one way about 20 USD)
Insurance (travel insurance and MANDATORY mountain insurance suitable for altitudes of 6000+ m)
Personal hiking and climbing equipment on Cotopaxi and Chimborazo (can be rented both locally and from us)
Drinks and snacks (including lunch) on the mountain
Dinners and lunches off the mountain
Unscheduled excursions, transportation, etc. (or if you want to do something extra)
*- ask the adventure guide for more information about suitable flights.
Registering for the tour
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, a deposit (20%) must be paid within 3 business days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by email. If there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost must be paid after receiving the corresponding invoice (100%). Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
NB! We recommend taking out travel disruption insurance immediately after paying the advance invoice so that longer-term health problems are also covered!
Schedule and activities
Day 0-1 (30.10-01.11) - Long journey to the other side of the world!
Arrange your flights so that you arrive in Quito no later than XNUMX:XNUMX on November XNUMXst. The first day is for getting to know each other - once everyone is there, we sit down at a local restaurant and get to know each other, the itinerary, and Ecuadorian food culture.
We are staying at a hotel.
Day 2 (02.11) - acclimatization begins
Since Quito itself is already at an altitude of 2800 m, we will spend the second day of our trip in the city. It is not reasonable to go to the heights right away.
We explore the historic old town of Ecuador. Architecture lovers will find much to admire here - colonial and neoclassical churches, basilicas, museums and beautiful city streets. It's a little hard to believe you're in South America.
We are staying at a hotel.
Day 3 (03.11) - Rucu Pichincha (4696 m)
The first peak of the trip! We take the gondola to an altitude of 3900 m and hike along a low-technical hiking trail to the top. If we are lucky and the weather is clear, we will see a beautiful view of the city of Quito, as well as the high volcanoes of Ecuador, including one of our goals, Cotopaxi. After the hike, we take the gondola back to the city, have dinner, discuss the plans for the next few days, and rest well at the hotel.
Ascent meters: 700 m
hike duration: 4-6 hours
overnight stay: in a hotel
Day 4 (04.11) - let's start the journey towards the mountains!
In the morning we pack our bags and drive to our accommodation, an hour away from Quito - the Papagayo Hotel. There we can walk, visit flower farms, go horseback riding, ride a bike, relax in a barrel sauna or just rest. In fact, the goal of today is to rest and at the same time let our bodies acclimatize - our hotel is located at an altitude of 3200 m.
In the evening we will dine at a local restaurant.
Day 5 (05.11) - hike to the illiniza hut (4700 m)
We drive for an hour until we reach the start of the Illiniza hiking trail. From there we hike to a cabin that is modest in appearance but provides everything we need for life. After a refreshing dinner, we try to fall asleep early.
Ascent meters: 700 m
hike duration: 4 hours
Overnight stay: in a hut at an altitude of 4700 m
Day 6 (06.11) - Illiniza North Peak (5126 m)
Northern tip of Illiniza offers a low-tech but seriously stunning climb - which is why it is often climbed as an acclimatization step before Chimborazo. It is also the sixth highest peak in Ecuador. The South Peak is a bit higher, but climbing there is much more technical.
While climbing the North Peak, you will be treated to wonderful views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains and the green lagoon between the North and South Peaks. Although the route to the summit is mostly a bare-bones hike, there is also some rock climbing near the summit - we put on a climbing harness, helmet and rope. The peak is generally always completely free of snow.
Having reached the summit, we descend to the parking lot and drive to the familiar Papagayo Hotel. We celebrate our first summit!
Ascent meters: 400 m
descent meters: 1100 m
distance: 11 km
Hiking duration: 3 hours to the top, 4 hours down
overnight stay: in a hotel
Day 7 (07.11) - rest day, Quilotoa Lagoon
Rest day! We will restore our bodies with a trip to the Quilotoa Lagoon. Quilotoa is a must visit destination when visiting Ecuador. This volcanic crater is filled with crystal blue water and holds a special place in the mythology of the local indigenous people. The crater rim is over 3900 m high.
On the way to Quilotoa, we can see authentic local life, as well as beautiful natural views. At the crater, it is possible to hike from the edge of the crater down to the water - if you wish, you can also rent kayaks there to take a little fun ride on the lagoon. For those with fresher feet, you can do a 10 km hike around the crater. The schedule is free-choice.
We will go back to the Papagayo Hotel to spend the night.
DAY 8 (08.11) - Drive to Cotopaxi
In the morning we meet local guides at the hotel, who will check our equipment. Then, after lunch, we drive down the mountain to the parking lot. From there we hike an hour to the Cotopaxi hut. Today, dinner is earlier and sleep is even shorter, because we start towards the summit at midnight.
hike duration: 1-2 hours
Ascent meters: 400 m
Overnight stay: in a hut at an altitude of 4800 m
Day 9 (09.11) - Cotopaxi summit day (5897 m)
Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world - the last eruption was only in 2023. But don't worry - there is no eruption expected next year ;). It is also the second highest mountain in Ecuador, so it is a serious character.
The Cotopaxi summit route is not too technical, but glaciers, crevasses, seracs (ice bergs) and steeper slopes are still present. So technical mountaineering equipment comes into play. From the summit we can see both Chimborazo and the vast snow-capped crater (which may also smoke a little).
After the summit, we do what we have become accustomed to - take the bus and return to the familiar hotel, where the sauna and hot tub are undoubtedly great friends of all climbers.
hike duration: 6-8 hours up, 3-5 hours down
Ascent meters: 1000 m
descent meters: 1400 m
overnight stay: in a hotel
10th - 11th day (10th-11.11th November) - resting days Baños de agua santas
After such an intense effort, proper rest is essential. For this, we descend immediately to the town of Baños de Agua Santa, located at an altitude of 1,800 metres. Baños is a small town in the Andean highlands, nestled beneath the Tungurahua volcano, amidst lush green mountains. Its name, which means "(sacred water) bath" in Spanish, comes from the area's famous hot springs. Baños is known as the adventure capital of Ecuador - you can do all kinds of adventure activities in the area, such as horseback riding, cycling, hiking, rafting, canyoning, bungee jumping, ziplining and much more!
We will spend two days here, and the schedule is initially open. Once the travel group is together, we can start planning who wants to do what in the town and arrange the corresponding groups.
We are staying at a hotel.
Day 12 (12.11) - the journey to Chimborazo begins!
So, now it's here. We'll take the bus to Chimborazo in the morning and drive straight to an altitude of 4800 m. From the parking lot, we'll hike up again for a couple of hours with all our equipment until we reach the high camp - there, high-altitude tents await us, where we'll spend the night. The tents have mattresses, but otherwise it's a genuine high-altitude experience in not the most luxurious conditions. However, a delicious and refreshing dinner will be prepared for us in the dining tent before the summit climb, so you don't have to carry your own local food with you. Even more exciting!
hike duration: 2-3 hours
Ascent meters: 500 m
Overnight stay: in tents at the high camp at an altitude of 5300 m
Day 13 (13.11) - CHIMBORAZO summit day (6263 m)
🎶 Friday the 13th reminds us that today is another... summit day! 🎶
The climb begins with a push up the scree slope, at one point smoothly transitioning into a glacier. In full gear, we turn on the glacier and cross the rocky sections on the way until we reach the saddle. From the saddle, we continue along the ridge to the pre-summit (Ventimilla), where the slopes are 30-45 degrees and can be icy. 300 meters before the summit, the slopes become slightly flatter again, so it is better to put one foot in front of the other when tired.
After Ventimilla, it's still an hour to the very top (it was named after Edward Whymper, who was known in the Alps). And that's it! A few pictures at the top, a sip of the summit drink and, if you want, a few happy tears. Then turn around and quickly return the way you came so as not to be too late. From the south, the slopes become quite dangerous (the snow melts, the rocks collapse).
When we get to the hut, we have a light breakfast and then hike down to the parking lot. From there, we drive straight back to Quito - a long effort, but the next day you'll be grateful you held out!
hike duration: 8-10 hours up, 5 hours down
Ascent meters: 1000 m
descent meters: 1500 m
overnight stay: at a hotel (in Quito)
Day 14 (14.11) - rest day
We crawl out of the hotel bed with stiff legs in the morning and enjoy the last day in the beautiful city of Quito. Souvenirs, last tastings of strange delicacies and in the evening we celebrate the end of the trip with a gorgeous dinner!
Day 15 (15.11) - goodbye, Ecuador!
We pack our bags and say “bye” to our travel companions, while wondering how we will manage without this fun little bundle of joy in the future. Of course, going home is not really mandatory. If you’ve already flown this far (and your vacation days allow it), stay longer! Ecuador has so much more to offer - coastal areas and the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Amazon rainforest to the east. It’s worth taking a look!
NB! There may be minor changes to the schedule and planned activities - for example, due to weather and conditions or passenger requests.
About Ecuador
Ecuador is one the most environmentally diverse countries in the world and has made significant contributions to environmental science. For its relatively small area (similar in size to Italy or New Zealand), the country is home to 16,000 plant species ja 1700 bird speciesBy the way, there are 140 different species of hummingbirds in Ecuador alone. The country has high mountains, rainforests, and an ocean coastline.
Ecuador is the first country in the world to constitutionally establish natural rights (similar to human rights). The new constitution, adopted in 2008, recognizes the inalienable right of ecosystems to exist and flourish, gives people the right to petition on behalf of nature, and demands that the government redress violations of these rights.
The local currency is USA dollar(1 EUR = 1,16 USD). In cities, you can generally pay by card in nicer restaurants, but cash still opens more doors.
In terms of price, Ecuador is more expensive than Bolivia and Colombia, but cheaper or similar to Argentina. And undoubtedly cheaper than Estonia, especially restaurants and hotels. You can get a dinner with meat in an average restaurant for 10-15 dollars, a double room in a hotel costs around $30. However, there are high taxes on imported goods.
In Ecuador, the streets are generally clean and well-maintained, and there are not too many people begging on the streets. However, pickpocketing is common (especially in the big cities).
Tourists are not advised to drink tap water.
The official language is Spanish language. English can be difficult to get by outside of the larger cities. Fortunately, our local guides speak English.
Estonian citizens can travel to Ecuador visa-free for up to 90 days per year. It is recommended to vaccinate against yellow fever.
Don't worry, let's do it!
How physically fit do I need to be to reach the peak?
Chimborazo (and other peaks you climb on the trip) requires good physical fitness and mental stamina, as the summit day is very long. You have to be able to walk uphill for 10+ hours, with a backpack on your back and a heart rate of 140-160. You also need a solid balance on the steeper sections.
Due to the individual characteristics and sports preferences of people, it is difficult to provide uniform indicators for assessing good physical fitness. To give a few examples, a person in good physical shape can run a half marathon in under 2,5 hours, a marathon in under 6 hours. Or cycle 130-150 km continuously. Or complete the main distance of the Tartu Marathon in February. It is important that your body can work with a high pulse for several hours in a row and your leg muscles can push you up a hill several hundred meters. Mental endurance during long, intense activities (self-motivation, dividing the journey into sections, walking in silence in your thoughts) is at least as important.
Where can I get all these fancy double boots, down jackets, crampons, and other gear?
One option is to buy the equipment yourself. This makes sense if you are convinced that you will most likely continue to go to such high altitudes and in cold conditions. Since the trip will not take place the day after tomorrow, you have plenty of time to browse online and look for the best deals. In any case, if you decide to buy specific equipment, if in doubt, feel free to ask the guides whether the item you found is suitable for these mountains.
Another option is to rent equipment. You can rent most things. from us, but you can also rent mountain equipment on site, from a local guide. This is a good option if you don't want to fly so much stuff to the other side of the world, but it can be a bit more expensive.
Wait, we're climbing volcanoes?! Don't they erupt?
No, none of the volcanoes we climb are scheduled to erupt next year. However, if there are any unexpected unpleasant surprises, we will find another volcano to climb. There are plenty of them in Ecuador, so no need to worry!
I've never hiked in the mountains before, but I'd really like to go! Is this trip for me?
Since this trip takes you to quite high altitudes, it is necessary that you have previous experience of being at high altitudes. So that you know how your body copes with altitude. When everything is new in such extreme conditions, things can become incredibly complicated. However, if you are very athletic, have completed mountaineering training, or are otherwise a very novice, contact the guide and discuss the matter!
What kind of mountain insurance do I need for this trip?
On this trip, Swedbank's hazardous activity insurance and Austrian Alpine Club membership are not enough - they are not valid on mountains above 6000 m. Impact Multisport insurance is suitable for this trip, read more FROM HERE.
Will I survive?
This is an extreme hiking trip, but there is no need to be too afraid here. Of course, there are certain dangers in the mountains and you have to take them into account, but accidents happen in everyday life too. The most important thing for the group leader is to ensure the safety of the participants — to do this, we learn and use correct mountaineering techniques and turn around if the weather gets too bad. The point is still to have an enjoyable experience, and this mountain will not go away. ;)
Okay, I registered. Now what?
Well, theoretically you could just vanish into thin air and appear on a plane, but then you risk discovering “oops, I have the wrong crampons and what is this middleman node?” on the spot. It can happen, but we highly recommend participating in preparatory events — it’s part of the fun. We organize preparatory hikes and trainings, advise on suitable insurance and equipment, where to rent cheaply, what to train for, etc. We will definitely review the equipment you have collected just before the start of the trip and send reminders about important things.
Read more also frequently asked questions.
Travel documents and footnotes
The participant is responsible for the validity and condition of their travel documents. For this trip you will need:
passport;
sports insurance suitable for mountain hiking (read more on the FAQ page). A suitable sports insurance policy must be carried and is a prerequisite for participating in the mountain hike;
travel insurance. NB! Take out insurance immediately after registering for the trip to ensure that you can get back any expenses incurred (for example, any advance payment) in the event of an unexpected event..
Plan your trip early and start training for it. We will organize several trial trips, training sessions and recommend training plans beforehand. It would be a shame if the peak was only behind the physique. Also a good opportunity to get in shape. ;)
Summits are not guaranteed. As you might expect, weather is king in the mountains. So it is entirely possible that weather or dangerous conditions will prevent us from even attempting the summit. Nevertheless, it will definitely be an awesome experience!
Although at the end of the day everyone is still responsible for their own actions and consequences, we do our best to mitigate the risks associated with mountaineering. As a result, the group leader has the right to make ongoing decisions about the competence of the participants, the suitability of their equipment, physical/mental capacity, etc. and, if necessary, for example, to prohibit participation on summit day if it endangers the health of the group or the participant themselves. Hopefully, of course, there will be no need for this.
Read also travel conditions.
