Ecuador is known for its unparalleled natural beauty and thrilling adventures. It also has the world’s greatest concentration of volcanoes, making this the ideal country for a mountaineering adventure. Climbing in Ecuador provides a wide range of challenges, and RMI offers guided climbs on both Cotopaxi (19,348’) and Cayambe (18,997’). These spectacular glaciated peaks, located in the Eastern and Western Cordilleras of Ecuador’s Andes, give the experience and excitement of high altitude mountaineering.

Our trip begins in the city of Quito, which sits in a high altitude valley known as the “Avenue of the Volcanoes.” Located fifteen miles south of the equator and at an altitude of 9,350 feet, Quito has a mild, spring-like climate year round. The temperatures in the valley range between 45 and 70 degrees F. Quito was once a prosperous Indian town and later became the northern capital of the Inca Empire. The city is partly modern, but it has one of the best preserved colonial sections in all of South America. The architecture, art and local culture are just fascinating.

Both Cotopaxi and Cayambe offer superb alpine climbing that is not technically difficult. They are easily accessible as well, being within a day’s drive of Quito, and having climber’s huts available for sleeping. All participants should be in excellent physical condition and have prior knowledge of rope travel, the use of crampons, and ice axe arrest. A review of basic mountaineering techniques is included in the itinerary.

While these mountains are climbed throughout the entire year, the best mountain snow pack on both Cotopaxi and Cayambe is often found between October and June. While there can be no guarantees of perfect weather in the mountains, our expeditions take full advantage of the weather and snowpack conditions for both these peaks.

Our standard trip is 11 days and offers climbers a chance to reach the summit of both Cayambe (18,997’) and Cotopaxi (19,348’). Our “abbreviated” Cotopaxi Express trip is 9 days and is ideal for the climber who is looking to complete the challenge of a 19,000’ mountain in a short period of time.