Ecuadorian volcano adventure in the heart of the Andes
Places filled: 11/12
There are places where people travel for vacation. And then there are Ecuador – a land where people come to experience something much bigger. This small but incredibly diverse South American country is home to snow-capped volcanoes, tropical jungles, deep canyons, hot springs and colonial cities, all topped by one of the world's most powerful mountain ranges – Andid.
It is the mountains that bring us to Ecuador: we will climb to a height of over 6000 meters on Chimborazo (the highest peak in Ecuador!) and we wander the world's highest active volcano, Cotopaxi, on icy slopes. In addition we fly paragliding over Quito on the last day, to take another look at the Andes from a completely different perspective.
The Ecuadorian mountain hike is suitable for you if you have experience using special mountaineering equipment (crawlers, pickaxe) and you have previous summit experience of at least 4000+ meters.
Our journey takes us straight to the heart of Ecuador – high up to Quito, hidden among the mountainsThe capital of Ecuador is located approximately At an altitude of 2850 meters above sea level and is one of the highest capitals in the world. Even the first steps in Quito give you a sense that everything is different here – the air is thinner, the mountains are closer and adventure is felt in every moment. Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, colorful streets and a valley surrounded by volcanoes create an atmosphere that is difficult to put into words.
Ecuador itself has been named by the equator – this is where the middle line of the world runs. In just a few hours, you can go from icy volcanic slopes to tropical rainforests and waterfalls. It is no coincidence that Ecuador is called one of the world’s the most species-rich country.
On this trip we will dive right into the wild world of the Andes. Our goal is not just to see Ecuador, but to truly experience it. We we will rise above the clouds both on foot and by paragliding, we will visit volcanic craters ja we discover places, where nature seems both beautiful and ruthlessly powerful at the same time.
Our adventure takes us To the crater lake of Quilotoa, whose turquoise waters reflect the dramatic slopes of the Andes. Then we move higher – Illiniza Norte, Cotopaxi and finally the legendary ChimborazoThe peak of Chimborazo is considered the furthest point on the planet from the center of the Earth, because the Earth is slightly wider at the equator. This means that standing there, we are literally closer to space than anywhere else on Earth.
But Ecuador is not just about high mountains. During our trip we will also to the lively Baños de Agua Santa – an adventure town located right on the edge of the jungle. There, above deep valleys, we are waiting for towering swings, the roaring Pailón del Diablo waterfall and cable cars, which lead over rushing mountain rivers.
At the end of the trip, we take to the air one last time – floating with a paraglider high above the Andes Mountains and Quito. It's a moment when all of Ecuador opens up before us at once - volcanoes, clouds, valleys and cities in one breathtaking panorama.
This is not just a vacation.
This is a journey to the center of the world, higher than the clouds and closer to yourself.
Overview - short & sweet
Goal: climb the Ecuadorian volcanoes Cotopaxi (5897 m) and Chimborazo (6263 m).
Dates: 22.12.2027-05.01.2028 (flight time added)
Starting point of the trip: Quito, Ecuador (flight tickets not included in the price)
Activity: mountain hiking, mountain climbing
Accommodation: hotels in cities, huts in the mountains
Adventure guides: Marko Aasa, Kerttu Olvet (language skills: Estonian, English, Russian)
Technical difficulty level: 2/5 (basic technical equipment required)
Physical difficulty: 4/5 (heavy physical exertion above 6000 m)
Prerequisites for participating in the trip: experience in using special mountaineering equipment (crawlers, pickaxe), previous summit experience of at least 4000+ meters.
Group size: min 8, max 12 (including 2 adventure guides)
TOUR PRICE:
Early bird (until 31.10.2026) — €3490
Standard Registration (01.11.2026-31.03.2027) — €3790
Late Registration (from 01.04.2027) — €4090
NB! Elamus+ community members get a 5–10% discount. Read more and check your discount eligibility. community members page.
👉 SEE EQUIPMENT LIST HERE 👈
Travel cost
Price includes
Trip organization and on-site guidance with extensive mountain and hiking experience Elamus+ by adventure guides
Services of a local English-speaking guide
All overnight stays (cabins in the mountains, hotels in cities)
On-site transport in a minibus (and other associated transport costs)
Breakfast and dinner every day of the trip
Breakfasts on other travel days
Mountain permits, national park fees
Paragliding over Quito
Entrance to Baños de Agua Santa
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 (prices with checked baggage starting at €1500*)
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 equipment
Tips for local helpers
Drinks, lunchtime snacks
Dinners and lunches off the mountain
Unscheduled excursions, transportation, etc. (or if you want to do something extra)
*Ask the adventure operators 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 1 (22.12.2027) – Journey to the End of the World
Our adventure begins in Tallinn, from where we head towards Ecuador. After a long day of flying, we land in Quito – a city that is almost at the height of the clouds. Even the first breaths indicate that the Andes do not give discounts to anyone. There is excitement in the air, a slight anxiety and a feeling that something much bigger than an ordinary vacation awaits us.
Overnight stay: at the hotel
DAY 2 (23.12.2027) – First steps in the high mountains
Today we take it easy and give our bodies time to adjust to the altitude. We walk the streets of Quito's old town, enjoy the local flavors and feel the rhythm of Ecuadorian life. The silhouette of the mountains rises above us, and every glance at the horizon reminds us why we really came here.
Overnight stay: at the hotel
DAY 3 (24.12.2027) – Rucu Pichincha Peak (4784 m)
On Christmas Eve, we head towards the Rucu Pichincha volcano, which towers directly above Quito at 4700 meters. The climb begins at the TelefériQo cable car, from where the trail becomes increasingly wild - the windy ridge, volcanic pebbles and thin air give you your first taste of the real highlands.
The higher we climb, the smaller Quito becomes below us. The last meters before the summit require a slight climb over dark volcanic rocks, but this is what makes the day especially memorable. When we reach the top, a view of the Andes opens up in front of us, from where, in good weather, we can even see the snow-capped volcanoes towering in the distance. This is the moment when we feel that acclimatization is no longer just preparation – our Ecuadorian mountain adventure has really begun.
Ascent meters: ~700 m (4–5 hours)
Overnight stay: at the hotel
DAY 4 (25.12.2027) – Quilotoa Crater (3900 m) and Christmas among volcanoes
On Christmas Day, we head to the Quilotoa crater to get our bodies used to the thinner air before the bigger peaks. A hike along the crater rim takes us right to a turquoise volcanic lake, where the wind, altitude and silence create an almost unreal atmosphere. Christmas in the Andes is not about candles and snow, but about standing above the clouds and feeling like the world is at your feet. The pace slows, the breath deepens and each climb teaches us to respect the mountains more.
Ascent meters: 500-600 m (4-6 hours)
Overnight stay: at the hotel
DAY 5 (26.12.2027) – Towards Illiniza Norte Base Camp
Our next goal is Illiniza Norte. We climb towards base camp along rocky mountain paths, while clouds occasionally sink into the valleys below us. The evening in the high mountains feels harsh and powerful - the first real summit day lies ahead.
Ascent meters: ~700 m (4–5 hours)
Overnight stay: mountain hut (4700 m)
DAY 6 (27.12.2027) – Illiniza Norte Peak (5248 m)
The night is cold and dark as we begin our ascent to the summit of Illiniza Norte. By the light of our headlamps, we climb step by step until we finally reach an altitude of over 5000 meters. The endless Andes and a chain of volcanoes stretching to the horizon open up before us. The feeling of reaching the summit is both exhausting and euphoric at the same time – moments like these are what we came here for.
Ascent meters: ~500 m (4–5 hours)
Overnight stay: at the hotel
DAY 7 (28.12.2027) – Baños: adrenaline and the edge of the jungle
After the rigors of the mountains, we arrive in Baños de Agua Santa, with a more tropical climate. The day is full of adventures - we swing on the famous “Swing at the End of the World” right above the mountains, take a cable car across the Pastaza River, and feel the power and mist of the Pailón del Diablo waterfall. This day is like a breather before the next physical challenges.
Overnight stay: at the hotel
DAY 8 (29.12.2027) – Cotopaxi Invitation
Today we head to the base camp of one of Ecuador's most famous volcanoes, Cotopaxi. The higher we climb, the more rugged the terrain becomes. The snowy cone looms before us like something completely otherworldly. In the evening we prepare our equipment and try to rest, although our thoughts are already spinning about the upcoming summit climb.
Ascent meters: 400 m (2-3 hours)
Overnight stay: mountain hut (4850 m)
DAY 9 (30.12.2027) – Cotopaxi peak above the clouds (5897 m)
Just after midnight, the climb begins. Cats crunch on the ice, our breath turns frosty, and our steps become slower and slower with the altitude. When the sun finally rises over the Andes, we feel tired, proud, and completely free at the same time as we reach the summit of Cotopaxi.
Ascent meters: 1000 m (10-14 hours)
Overnight stay: at the hotel
DAY 10 (31.12.2027) – Breathtaking after the first major peak
Today we are taking some time off. This is our spare day, a chance to recover, share our impressions so far, and enjoy the moments in Ecuador without the stress of high altitude. During the day, we are getting closer and closer to our main goal. We are also celebrating the end of the old year a little!
Overnight stay: at the hotel
DAY 11 (01.01.2027) – THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW YEAR at the foot of Chimborazo
On the first day of the year, we head to Chimborazo Base Camp. Everything seems quieter and more serious – the biggest challenge of the entire trip lies ahead. The evening passes in the silence of the high mountains, under the stars, with the knowledge that the new year begins more than six kilometers above sea level.
Ascent meters: 500 m (3-4 hours)
Overnight stay: in base camp tents (5300 m)
DAY 12 (02.01.2028) – New Year's START on the edge of the world (6263 m)
The day begins with a nighttime climb to the summit of Chimborazo. The air is thin, the cold is biting, and every step requires willpower. But it is here, on Ecuador’s highest mountain, that we feel most clearly why we have undertaken this journey. When we reach 6263 meters above sea level, the farthest point on Earth from the center of the world, the feeling is indescribable. This is no longer just a hike – this is a true expedition.
Ascent meters: 1000 m (10-14 hours)
Overnight stay: at the hotel
DAY 13 (03.01.2028) – BACKUP DAY
A spare day to wait for the weather window if necessary. If that is not necessary, we can spend the day sitting in a cafe or walking the streets of Quito, reflecting on what happened and celebrating our recent achievements.
Overnight stay: at the hotel
DAY 14 (04.01.2028) – Flight over the Andes
Before we leave, we have one last adrenaline rush – a paragliding flight from the nearby TelefériQo at an altitude of about 4000 meters. We take off and float high above Quito, while a 360-degree camera records the full power of the Andes around us. It’s a beautiful ending to our Ecuadorian adventure.
Overnight stay: at the hotel
DAY 15 (05.01.2028) – The way back… or a new beginning?
Today the return flight home begins. But Ecuador does something strange – it makes you want to come back. Maybe there is a volcano on the way that you would like to enjoy the view from the top? Maybe there is a mountain that you would like to visit? In any case, the next expedition is definitely waiting somewhere.
NB! There may be minor changes to the schedule and planned activities - for example, due to weather and conditions or passenger requests.
About Ecuador
Official name: Republic of Ecuador
Capital: Quito
Population: about 18 million people
Area: ~256,000 km² (about 5,5 times larger than Estonia)
Official language: Spanish, but Quechua and other indigenous languages are also spoken
Currency: United States dollar (USD)
Time zone: The mainland of Ecuador is 7 hours behind Estonian time (in winter)
Highest mountain: Chimborazo – 6263 m
The most famous volcano: Cotopaxi – one of the world's highest active volcanoes
The name of the country comes from the word: “equator” – an imaginary line running through the country
Continental climate: very diverse – from the tropics to glaciers in just a few hours
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Quito's old town is one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the world
Famous animals: Galapagos giant tortoises, hummingbirds, llamas and alpacas
Practical information and tips for a December hike in Ecuador:
🌤 December is one in Ecuador good hiking month: prevails in the mountains moderate temperature, but afternoon rain showers are common. Daily temperatures: In Quito and mainland cities approx. 15–22°C, may fall in higher areas to 0–15°C. Nights can be crisp in the mountains (below 0°C).
💧 Water and food: tap water not drinkable. Only bottled water or purified water should be used.. The local food is delicious, but relatively spicy for the region.
🩺 Recommended vaccines: Hepatitis A and B, yellow fever.
💰 Money and practical matters: Cash is still important, especially outside Quito, and card payment options are limited. They can also be slow or intermittent internet and mobile communications. Additionally, this is a country where waving large wads of cash can attract unwanted attention.
Interesting facts:
🚀 Chimborazo is technically closer to space than Mount Everest
Although Chimborazo is lower than Everest, its peak is the farthest point on the planet from the center of the Earth. The reason? The Earth is “thicker” at the equator. This means that when you stand on Chimborazo, you are closer to space than on Everest.
🐹 In Ecuador, your pets could end up on the dinner table
Eating in Andes guinea pigs or guinea pig. It is considered a delicacy and is often served whole. Locals love it as much as Estonians love potatoes.
🚌 In Ecuador there are party buses called “Chiva”
These are colorful open buses that play Latin music at full volume and people dance while they drive. Imagine a nightclub… but on wheels and mountain roads.
🍌 Ecuador is a banana superpower
Ecuador is one of the world's largest banana exporters. The chances that your morning banana is from Ecuador are surprisingly high.
Don't worry, let's do it!
How physically fit do I need to be to reach the peak?
Due to the individual characteristics and sports preferences of people, it is difficult to give uniform indicators for assessing good physical fitness. It is important that your body can work with a higher than usual heart rate and that your leg muscles can push you up a hill several hundred meters. Mental endurance during long, intense activities is at least as important (self-motivation, dividing the journey into segments, walking in silence with your thoughts).
Recommended prior experience is at least one, but even better than several, 4000-meter mountain hikes.
Wait, we're climbing volcanoes?! Don't they erupt?
True, one of our targets, Cotopaxi, is the world's tallest active volcano. If there are any unexpected surprises and he chooses our travel time for an active activity, we will find another volcano to climb. There are many in Ecuador, so there is no reason to worry!
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. In addition to the usual travel insurance, Impact Multisport insurance is suitable for this trip, read more FROM HERE.
Okay, I registered. Now what?
Well, theoretically you could just vanish into thin air and appear on a plane. That's possible, but we highly recommend taking part in preparatory events — it's part of the fun. We organize preparatory hiking training, give advice 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 (Estonian citizens can stay in Ecuador visa-free for up to 90 days per year);
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.
