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CHIMBORAZO · 2 DAYS · 6,268 M

Chimborazo Summit Climb from Riobamba.

Cotopaxi was preparation.

Ecuador's highest mountain. The point on Earth farthest from its centre. And one hell of a place to discover what you've got left.

Talk to Us About Chimborazo
FROM US$490

per person · 2+ climbers

DURATION 2 Days

overnight mountain program

WHYMPER SUMMIT 6,268 m

Ecuador's highest mountain

EXPERIENCE 5,000 m+

strong prior experience required

THE NEXT MOUNTAIN

This is not where you come
to acclimatize.

At 6,268 metres, Chimborazo is Ecuador's highest mountain. Because of Earth's equatorial bulge, its summit is also the point on the planet farthest from the centre of the Earth.

But geography is the easy part.

Chimborazo comes after the preparation. You should already have spent significant time at altitude and have strong recent experience above 5,000 metres before attempting the summit.

Expect cold, glacier travel, a long overnight ascent and the possibility of deep snow. This mountain will test fitness, acclimatization, patience and judgment.

Cotopaxi can be part of the preparation. Chimborazo is the next conversation.

Road approaching Chimborazo in the Ecuadorian Andes
THE APPROACH There it is.

Plenty of time to reconsider your life choices.

THE MOUNTAIN AT A GLANCE

Riobamba to the roof of Ecuador.

01 RIOBAMBA

Leave comfort behind.

Meet your guide and travel into the Chimborazo reserve.

02 THE REFUGE

Prepare.

Settle in, organize equipment, eat and get ready for the night.

03 MIDNIGHT

Breakfast. Then darkness.

Eat before the summit push, gear up and begin the climb.

04 6,230 M

Veintimilla.

A summit in its own right. But not yet the highest point.

05 6,268 M

Whymper.

Ecuador's highest summit. If the mountain allows it.

Mountain refuge below the snowy slopes of Chimborazo
DAY 1 The last normal-looking part.

After this, breakfast happens at midnight.

DAY 1

Riobamba to Chimborazo.
Then prepare for the night.

Mountain schedules are intentionally flexible. Weather, snow, access and your guide's assessment determine the exact timing and progression.

RIOBAMBA
DEPARTURE

Head for the mountain.

Meet your certified mountain guide and travel from Riobamba into the Chimborazo reserve.

DAY 1
REFUGE

Settle in high.

Reach the mountain refuge, organize your equipment and prepare for the summit attempt.

AFTERNOON
PREPARATION

Check everything.

Review equipment, climbing systems and the plan with your guide. Conditions on Chimborazo can change the route and the decisions made on the mountain.

EVENING
REST

Eat. Organize. Try to sleep.

Have dinner, prepare your gear and rest before the midnight wake-up.

WANT TO STACK THE ODDS?

Ask about High Camp.
5,300 metres.

For climbers who want to begin the summit push higher on the mountain, ask us about the 5,300 m High Camp option.

Starting higher shortens the amount of climbing required during summit night and can improve your chances of reaching Whymper. It costs more than the standard program and needs to be discussed before the climb.

Ask About High Camp

DAY 2

Breakfast at midnight.
Because apparently that's normal now.

The summit is the objective, never a guarantee. Weather, snow, altitude and your guide determine how far the climb goes.

~00:00
BREAKFAST

Good morning. Technically.

Wake, eat the included summit breakfast, dress for the mountain and make final equipment checks.

NIGHT
SUMMIT PUSH

Headlamps on.

Begin climbing with your certified mountain guide through the darkness toward Chimborazo's upper slopes and glacier.

6,000 M+
THE HIGH MOUNTAIN

This is where preparation speaks.

The air is thin, the climb is long and every metre becomes increasingly expensive.

6,230 M
VEINTIMILLA

Almost.

Veintimilla is one of Chimborazo's summits. The highest point, Whymper, still lies farther across the summit plateau.

6,268 M
WHYMPER SUMMIT

The roof of Ecuador.

If conditions, acclimatization, timing and your body align, continue to Chimborazo's highest point.

DESCENT
BACK DOWN

The summit is only halfway.

Descend carefully with your guide, return from the mountain and transfer back to Riobamba.

Climber celebrating during sunrise high on Chimborazo
ABOVE 6,000 METRES Suddenly the alarm clock seems worth it.

Almost.

BEFORE CHIMBORAZO

Earn the right
to have a crack at it.

01

Acclimatization

Arrive properly acclimatized. Our program requires previous time at altitude before attempting Chimborazo.

02

5,000 m+ Experience

Strong recent experience above 5,000 metres is required. Cotopaxi can form part of that preparation.

03

Serious Fitness

This is a demanding high-altitude climb. Arrive in very good physical condition and prepared for a long summit push.

This isn't the mountain to bluff.

Previous high-altitude trekking experience is recommended. Medical clearance for travel and exertion above 4,500 metres should be considered before the climb, particularly if you have any relevant medical concerns.

CarpeDM Chimborazo climb at Veintimilla summit
6,230 M · VEINTIMILLA So close you can almost taste it.

CarpeDM founder Paul made it to Veintimilla. Whymper was still waiting across the summit plateau.

Chimborazo: 1.
Paul: we'll call it unfinished business.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Serious mountain.
Serious kit.

  • Bilingual certified ASEGUIM mountain guide
  • Transport from Riobamba to Chimborazo and back
  • Accommodation at the refuge
  • Entry fee
  • Day 1 lunch
  • Day 1 dinner
  • Midnight summit breakfast
  • Waterproof hiking boots
  • Waterproof pants and jacket
  • Fleece pants and jacket
  • Outer gloves
  • Balaclava / warm cap
  • Gaiters
  • Crampons
  • Ice axe
  • Headlamp
  • Sleeping bag

NOT INCLUDED / BRING

A few things
are still yours.

Additional snacks Additional drinks Personal bag Liner gloves Headlamp batteries Tips

Equipment sizing and availability should be confirmed before departure. Bring personal medication and your preferred high-energy snacks for the summit push.

FIRST WE TALK.

Chimborazo isn't
an impulse purchase.

Before booking, we'll talk about your acclimatization, recent 5,000 m+ experience and whether the standard refuge or High Camp makes more sense.

GROUP · 2+ CLIMBERS
US$490 per person

For two or more qualified climbers on the standard Chimborazo summit program.

Start the Conversation
SOLO CLIMBER
US$910 per person

A private summit program for one qualified climber with dedicated mountain guiding.

Talk to CarpeDM →
HIGH CAMP · 5,300 M Want to start higher?

High Camp is available at an additional cost. Ask us whether it makes sense for your summit strategy.

Climber celebrating on the Whymper summit of Chimborazo at sunrise
6,268 M · WHYMPER SUMMIT Someone kept going.

Beyond Veintimilla. Across the summit plateau. To the highest point in Ecuador.

KNOW BEFORE YOU CLIMB

At 6,268 metres,
there are no stupid questions.

Can Chimborazo be my first high-altitude climb?

No. Our Chimborazo program requires proper acclimatization and strong previous experience above 5,000 metres.

Should I climb Cotopaxi first?

Cotopaxi can be excellent preparation and can contribute valuable recent experience above 5,000 metres. Your overall acclimatization and climbing history matter, so talk with us about your complete plan.

What is the difference between Veintimilla and Whymper?

Veintimilla is reached before Whymper on the summit area. Whymper, at 6,268 metres, is Chimborazo's highest point. Reaching Veintimilla does not necessarily mean the climb continues to Whymper.

Is the summit guaranteed?

Absolutely not. Weather, snow, altitude, access, timing, physical condition and your guide's safety assessment can all end a summit attempt. Turning around is part of mountaineering.

What is the 5,300 m High Camp option?

High Camp allows the summit push to begin higher on the mountain, reducing the amount of climbing required during summit night. It costs more than the standard program. Ask us whether it is appropriate for your climb.

Why can't I just book online?

Because Chimborazo deserves a conversation first. We want to understand your acclimatization, fitness and recent high-altitude experience before confirming the climb.

What equipment is provided?

The program includes waterproof boots and outerwear, fleece layers, outer gloves, balaclava, gaiters, crampons, ice axe, headlamp and sleeping bag.

Is breakfast included on summit morning?

Yes. Breakfast is served around midnight before the summit push.

SLOW FLOW TRAVEL

At 6,000 metres,
ego gets heavy.

Chimborazo does not care how badly you want the photograph.

It does not care what you paid, how far you travelled, what you told your friends or whether you made Cotopaxi look easy three days ago.

Up here, progress becomes very simple: breathe, step, listen, repeat.

And sometimes the strongest decision you make on the entire mountain is the one that takes you away from the summit.

The objective is Whymper. The responsibility is getting back down.

Vicuña in the high Andean landscape of the Chimborazo reserve
BACK DOWN TO EARTH Meanwhile, the locals make altitude look easy.

Show-offs.

READY FOR THE CONVERSATION?

Cotopaxi was preparation.
This is Chimborazo.

Chimborazo Summit Climb · 2 days · 6,268 m · Group climbs from US$490 per person.

Talk to Us About Chimborazo
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