Sam Hoffman

Ecuador sits at the intersection of the Andes, the Amazon, and the equator, and the result is one of the most extraordinary mountain environments on earth. The Avenue of the Volcanoes runs through the heart of the country, a chain of glaciated peaks rising above highland valleys and tropical forest that has drawn climbers and explorers for centuries. This eleven-day expedition climbs two of the finest: Cayambe at 18,997 feet, the only snow-capped point on earth that sits directly on the equator, and Cotopaxi at 19,348 feet, one of the world's highest active volcanoes and one of its most iconic.

The program is designed for intermediate climbers ready to step into serious high-altitude mountaineering without committing to a full expedition-scale objective. Cayambe comes first, providing the acclimatization and technical review that sets the team up for Cotopaxi. A skilled Ecuadorian guide joins the program alongside RMI's lead guide, bringing local knowledge of the peaks, the conditions, and the culture that shapes every aspect of how the expedition unfolds.

The expedition begins in Quito, one of the best-preserved colonial cities in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage site. At 9,350 feet, Quito itself begins the acclimatization process while the city's markets, architecture, and neighborhoods offer a genuine introduction to Ecuadorian culture before the climbing begins. This is a program where the mountains are the objective and the country is the experience.