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CAYAMBE · 2 DAYS · 5,790 M

Cayambe Summit Climb from Quito.

The Equator forgot to stay warm.

Glacier. Crampons. Midnight breakfast. And 5,790 metres of Ecuador reminding you that geography has a sense of humour.

Talk to Us About Cayambe See the Climb
FROM US$450 per person · 2 climbers
DURATION 2 Days Quito to Cayambe & back
SUMMIT 5,790 m 18,996 ft
STYLE Glacier overnight summit ascent
LATITUDE ZERO. ICE UNDERFOOT.

At the Equator, you expect heat.

Cayambe has other plans.

Rising to 5,790 metres north of Quito, Cayambe is Ecuador's third highest mountain and one of the great glacier climbs of the northern Andes.

The route is not considered highly technical, but don't confuse that with easy. Altitude, glacier travel, crevasses, changing mountain weather and a summit push beginning around 1:00 in the morning make this a serious high altitude objective.

You don't need to arrive as an expert mountaineer. You do need to arrive acclimatized, fit and ready to listen to the mountain.

THE MOUNTAIN FLOW

Quito to summit. Mostly while sensible people are sleeping.

01 Quito 9:00 AM departure
→
02 Refuge 4,600 m
→
03 Midnight breakfast + gear
→
04 Glacier crampons + rope teams
→
05 Summit 5,790 m
Early CarpeDM Adventures expedition vehicle in the Ecuadorian Andes
THE EARLY DAYS Before the website looked this good.

We were already going up mountains.

CarpeDM Adventures founder with a mountain guide at Cayambe
MOUNTAIN MEMORY

The gear changes. The mountain doesn't.

CarpeDM has been bringing travellers into Ecuador's mountains since the early days of the company.

Vehicles change. Jackets change. Cameras definitely change. The basic agreement with a mountain like Cayambe does not: arrive prepared, trust your guide and respect the conditions.

Some traditions are worth keeping.

Cayambe glacier and summit surrounded by high altitude cloud
CAYAMBE WEATHER The mountain makes the schedule.

Wind. Snow. Cloud. Clear sky. Sometimes Cayambe serves the whole menu.

THE CLIMB

Two days. One very early morning.

The first day gets you onto the mountain. The second starts before most people have gone to bed.

DAY 01
QUITO → CAYAMBE REFUGE

First, get yourself onto the mountain.

Depart Quito around 9:00 AM in private transportation and drive north for approximately two hours, climbing toward roughly 4,400 metres.

From there, continue toward the refuge at approximately 4,600 metres with your equipment. Settle in, have lunch and prepare for the glacier.

During the afternoon, your guide leads practical exercises near the glacier so you can become familiar with the equipment and movement you'll use during the summit attempt.

Then it's back to the refuge for dinner.

Try to sleep. Your alarm clock is midnight.
DAY 02
MIDNIGHT → 5,790 M

Breakfast at midnight.

Because apparently that's normal now.

Wake at midnight, have breakfast and prepare your equipment. Around 1:00 AM, leave the refuge with your certified mountain guide.

The opening section crosses rocky terrain before reaching the glacier. Once on the ice, crampons go on and climbers rope together in teams, with each guide taking one or two climbers.

Depending on conditions and pace, the summit ascent normally takes around four to six hours, putting a successful arrival near the top between approximately 5:00 and 7:00 AM.

If conditions allow, take a short rest, absorb the view and begin the descent. Returning to the refuge generally takes another two to three hours.

Once the climbing teams are safely back, descend from the mountain and return to Quito, typically around 2:00 PM.

Roped climbers ascending the glacier on Cayambe
THE GLACIER Now it gets interesting.

Crampons on. Rope up. One step becomes the next one.

BEFORE YOU CLIMB

Preparation is part of the climb.

Cayambe is not the place to discover how your body responds to altitude for the first time.

01

Good Physical Condition

Expect sustained effort at high altitude, cold temperatures and several hours of movement on summit day.

02

Acclimatize First

Spend time at altitude before the climb. Your summit attempt should not be your body's introduction to the high Andes.

03

High Altitude Experience

Previous high altitude trekking experience is recommended before attempting Cayambe.

04

Medical Clearance

Medical clearance for exertion above 5,000 metres is part of the preparation for this high altitude objective.

THE PRACTICAL STUFF

Serious mountain. Serious kit.

INCLUDED
  • Bilingual certified ASEGUIM mountain guide
  • Refuge accommodation
  • Private transportation Quito to Cayambe and return
  • Entry fee
  • Lunch and dinner on Day 1
  • Midnight breakfast before the summit attempt
  • Waterproof hiking boots
  • Waterproof pants and jacket
  • Fleece pants and jacket
  • Outer gloves
  • Balaclava
  • Gaiters
  • Crampons
  • Ice axe
  • Headlamp
  • Sleeping bag
BRING / NOT INCLUDED
  • Additional snacks and drinks
  • Personal backpack
  • Lightweight liner gloves
  • Spare batteries for your headlamp
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips for your mountain team

Conditions change. Your guide has final say on equipment, timing, route and whether the summit attempt continues.

FIRST WE TALK

We don't need your credit card yet. We need to know you're ready.

There is no instant checkout for Cayambe. Tell us about your acclimatization, recent altitude experience and climbing dates first.

Shared · 2 Climbers Certified guide · per person
US$450 per person
Private One climber · private program
US$800 per person
Talk to Us About Cayambe

Summit attempts always depend on mountain conditions, access and your guide's safety assessment.

Climbers descending Cayambe above the clouds after a glacier ascent
THE WAY BACK DOWN Gravity finally joins your team.

Different light. Different legs. Same mountain.

GOOD QUESTIONS

Before you rope up.

Is Cayambe technically difficult?

Cayambe is generally considered a moderate glacier climb rather than an advanced technical ascent, but altitude, crevasses, weather and glacier conditions make it a serious mountain. Your guide determines the appropriate route and whether it is safe to continue.

Do I need previous climbing experience?

Previous high altitude trekking experience is recommended. Day 1 includes glacier preparation with your guide, but you should arrive fit and properly acclimatized rather than treating Cayambe as your first experience at altitude.

Is reaching the summit guaranteed?

No. Weather, glacier conditions, altitude, access and individual wellbeing can all affect a summit attempt. The guide's safety decision always comes before reaching the top.

Why do we climb at night?

The itinerary begins around 1:00 AM and targets the summit around sunrise. Exact departure time is determined by your mountain guide according to conditions.

Is breakfast included on summit day?

Yes. Breakfast is served around midnight before preparing for the summit ascent.

Why can't I book instantly online?

Because Cayambe is not simply a sightseeing excursion. We want to understand your acclimatization, physical preparation and previous altitude experience before confirming the climb.

SLOW FLOW · HIGH ALTITUDE EDITION

The rope teaches a useful lesson.

You can only move as well as the people you're connected to.

Up here, speed isn't particularly impressive. Awareness is. Rhythm is. Knowing when to move and when to stop is.

Cayambe doesn't care how badly you want the summit. The objective is to climb well, make good decisions and return with something more useful than a photograph.

CAYAMBE · 5,790 M

The Equator forgot to stay warm.

Maybe you should go see what happened.

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