Ecuador Volcanoes Climbs

High-Altitude Summits, Hot Springs, and Haciendas

Of all the Andean countries, Ecuador is perhaps the one most famous for volcanoes and volcano climbing. Lying atop a massive tectonic subduction zone, the country is home to more than 40 volcanoes, 28 on the Ecuadorian mainland. Ten of the nation’s volcanic peaks reach above 16,000 feet of elevation, and seven have erupted in the last hundred years (15 if you add in the volcanic Galapagos Islands). Of these remarkable peaks, AAI offers guided mountaineering expeditions to the six highest, including the remote and seldom-climbed El Altar.

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  • Climbers on Cotopaxi
  • Climbers on Cayambe
  • 5500 m high on Cotopaxi
  • Cayambe
  • Cotopaxi Summit
  • Skills Training on Cayambe
  • Cayambe Hut
  • Climbers in the clouds on Cotopaxi
  • Unique Terrain of Cayambe
  • Cayambe Skills Training
  • Climbers Ascending Cotopaxi
  • Equator Monument with Cayambe
  • Quito Rooftops
  • Acclimatizing on Fuya Fuya
  • Acclimatization hike to Quilotoa
  • High on Cayambe
  • Climbers on the Summit of Cayambe
  • Climbers studying their route on Cayambe

  Ecuador - Cotopaxi Skills Expedition

  With two days of skills instruction, those with little technical climbing experience have the opportunity to ascend Cayambe (18,997 ft) and Cotopaxi (19,348 ft) by way of classic snow and ice routes.

  • Location:Ecuadorian Andes
  • Season:November - March, May - July
  • Length:10 days, or 14 with Chimborazo extension
  • Cost:$3690 or $5040 with Chimborazo extension

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  • Chimborazo Summit Celebration
  • Climber on Summit of Chimborazo
  • Chimborazo, the highest peak in Ecuador
  • Chimborazo Summit Sunrise
  • Climber near summit of Chimborazo
  • Approaching Chimborazo's N. Face
  • AAI's route up Chimborazo
  • High on Chimborazo
  • Navigating Chimborazo's Summit Plateau

  Ecuador - Chimborazo Climb

  This program offers you an opportunity to climb Chimborazo (20,703 ft / 6310 m), the highest peak in Ecuador and one of the great climbing goals for alpinists in the Andes. With glacier climbing skills and thorough acclimatization, you'll enjoy the experience of a small expedition on an immense and majestic peak.

  • Location:Ecuadorian Andes
  • Season:November - March, May - July
  • Length:4 days following an Ecuador Skills Expedition (14 days total)
  • Cost:$1350 ($5040 total for the 14-day program)

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  • Stunning Landscape of Antisana
  • Happy Climbers on Antisana
  • Climbing Antisana
  • Climbers while descending Antisana
  • Approaching the summit of Antisana
  • Descending from Illiniza Sur
  • On Antisana looking toward Cotopaxi and Illiniza Norte and Sur
  • Antisana view
  • Climbing Illiniza Norte to Prepare for Illiniza Sur
  • Illiniza Norte and Illiniza Sur
  • High on Antisana at sunrise
  • Climbers on Antisana
  • Climbers descending from Illiniza Sur
  • Colorful Quito, Ecuador acclimatizing on Antisana/Illiniza Expedition.
  • Local Ecuadorian Culture Antisana/Illiniza acclimatization
  • Amazing Views on Antisana (1)

  Ecuador - Antisana and Illiniza

  This expedition is an excellent choice for intermediate climbers wishing to apply their skills to moderately challenging high altitude routes on peaks that are often admired and seldom climbed.

  • Location:Ecuadorian Andes
  • Season:October - February
  • Length:10 days, or 14 with Chimborazo extension
  • Cost:Private Pricing

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  • El Altar
  • The View from within the Caldera
  • The Lake within the Caldera of El Altar
  • Climbing 60-degree ice on El Altar

  Ecuador - El Altar Expedition

  An exotic, remote expedition goal, El Altar (17,930 ft) is one of the most technically demanding peaks of the northern Andes and its nine distinct summits have seldom been climbed.

  • Location:Ecuadorian Andes
  • Season:Currently unavailable
  • Length:15 Days
  • Cost:Contact AAI Office for more details