I am 17 years old. I am interested in booking a fully supervised Chimborazo climbing trip as a beginner solo traveler. I would like the trip to include acclimatization days before the summit attempt, professional guides and full supervision throughout the trip, sightseeing and local tours around Quito or the volcano region, and transfers and logistics from arrival to departure. Could you please provide a detailed itinerary including acclimatization hikes and any sightseeing options, information on what is included (meals, gear, permits, transportation), any age or parental consent requirements for a 17-year-old solo climber, and a cost estimate per person for this type of fully guided package.

For safety reasons participants must be 18 years old to join this tour. Since you are currently 17, it would only be possible if you have a written authorization from your parents or if you travel with one of them.

A friend and I are traveling to Ecuador to climb Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. We are both fit hikers who are excited for the climb. We will be in Quito for a week before climbing to help get acclimatized. I'd like your help understanding the options you have. We have 2 ideas in our mind: 1. Do a few acclimatization hikes from Quito by ourselves before coming (Pasochoa, Iliniza Norte), then do an express 5 day tour with you. 2. Do a longer 9 day tour with you which covers everything. Could you break down the cost difference between them for us, so we can decide. Also any recommendations you have.

Option 1: Self-guided acclimatization + Climbing express 5 day tour. Tour cost is USD 2,695 per person. This tour is focused specifically on Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, assuming you already arrive well acclimatized. Option 2: Full guided 9-day program. Tour cost is USD 4,815 per person. In both tours we take care of all the required permits and logistics. Our recommendation: If you prefer flexibility and already plan to acclimatize independently, the 5-day express tour is a good fit. If you'd like a fully coordinated experience with carefully planned acclimatization to optimize your chances on the biggest peaks, the 9-day program is the ideal option.

From

US $2,695 per person

Climbing Cotopaxi and Chimborazo Express 5 Days Tour

5 days

•

From Cotopaxi National Park to Quito

4.7 (123 reviews)

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From

US $2,695 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Pay only 10% today. The rest is due 95 days before departure. Learn more

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Plan your adventure:

Gold Operator: GUIDEcuador Travel
Hiking & Trekking: Conquer epic trails and breathtaking landscapes
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
High Intensity: Travelers should be in very good physical condition and expect continuous demanding activities
Guided in English: Other languages on request: Spanish
Group Size 2 - 10
Ages 15+

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Intro
Introduction
Day 1
Quito to Cotopaxi National Park
Quito to Cotopaxi National Park
Start point
Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador (Pick-up will be at your hotel in Quito, if it is located within the central area of the city.)
Meals
Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to José Ribas Refuge (approximately 1 hour)
- Basic climbing techniques training and equipment handling (crampons, ice axe, rope)
Landmarks
Cotopaxi National Park
José Ribas Refuge
Avenue of the Volcanoes
Day 2
Cotopaxi Summit
Cotopaxi Summit
Meals
Breakfast (Light breakfast before departure)
Included Activities
- Climb to Cotopaxi Summit (19,347ft/5.897m)
- Glacier ascent with crampons
Landmarks
Cotopaxi Summit
Day 3
Machachi
Machachi
Meals
Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tour to Tesalia Water Springs
- Visit to local indigenous market (Sundays)
- Horseback riding
- Cow milking
- Sampling local delicacies (guinea pig)
Landmarks
Tesalia Water Springs
Day 4
Machachi to Chimborazo High Camp
Machachi to Chimborazo High Camp
Meals
Dinner (Light dinner)
Included Activities
- Hike to High Camp (approximately 3 hours)
- Check and prepare camping and climbing equipment
Landmarks
Chimborazo
Hermanos Carrel Refuge
Day 5
Chimborazo Summit to Quito
Chimborazo Summit to Quito
End point
Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador (Drop-off at your hotel in Quito, if it is located within the central area of the city.)
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Climb to Chimborazo Summit (20,702ft/6.310m)
Optional Activities
- Airport drop-off (available for USD 65 additional fee)
Landmarks
Chimborazo Summit

Landmarks
Cotopaxi National Park
José Ribas Refuge
Avenue of the Volcanoes

Landmarks
Cotopaxi Summit

Landmarks
Tesalia Water Springs

Landmarks
Chimborazo
Hermanos Carrel Refuge

Landmarks
Chimborazo Summit

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Insurance
Meals
Transport
Optional Extras

What's Not Included

Flights
Additional Services

Operated by

GUIDEcuador Travel

Gold Operator

Rating: 4.7 (123 reviews)
Response time: 9 hours
Response rate: 96%
Cancellation policy: Learn more

Reviews from other tours by GUIDEcuador Travel

Tour Operator
4.7

paulette4.2•October 2026
Erik and his driver are awesome, I would highly recommend them.
Cyra5.0•June 2026
We were expecting another group tour, so were a little surprised by the fact that there was no group, no tour guide...
We were expecting another group tour, so were a little surprised by the fact that there was no group, no tour guide per see and no coach. However , we loved the service we received, the one on one help and attention. It was so powerful to arrive at the second island in the Galapagos and trying to put my bags out of the water taxi, from a ferry, and having somebody say, "Hi Cyra, welcome, your taxi is waiting.".Everybody was on time, it was organized and coordinated. It was a great price, a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend it to anybody. Thank you.Show more
Laurie4.0•May 2026
I gave this 4 stars because the entire Galapagos experience is so amazing. However, this tour is misrepresented as...
I gave this 4 stars because the entire Galapagos experience is so amazing. However, this tour is misrepresented as one of the other reviewers noted. Our 9-day tour was presented to us as "Fully Guided - An experienced guide will be with you for the entire trip." It also states that you will join this small group "and forge lifelong friendships." My husband and I had just finished a fully-guided small group tour (with a different tour company) through Ecuador mainland and we truly did have a guide with us 24/7 and we had a small group of 16 people that we traveled with for 8 days. This is NOT that type of tour. My husband & I were the only 2 on this 'tour' - which really isn't a tour but rather a guide in each island is responsible for explaining to you what to expect for those 1-2 days and may help you get to those tours/ferries/etc for which the operator made the reservations for. Some guides were excellent and helped us navigate airports, ferry lines, and tour boats. Others we saw 5-10 minutes upon arrival at the island and were told to ask the hotel lobby staff if we had any questions during our stay. Others sent a taxi driver - whom typically didn't speak English. This is definitely not a fully guided tour. You spend a lot of time on your own - which worked OK for us but certainly not what we expected.Show more

Dates & Prices

Select departure month

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

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Ends on 14 Oct, 2026

From Monday
12 Oct, 2026
To Friday
16 Oct, 2026
English, Spanish
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
US$2,695 per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
From Tuesday
13 Oct, 2026
To Saturday
17 Oct, 2026
English, Spanish
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
US$2,695 per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
From Wednesday
14 Oct, 2026
To Sunday
18 Oct, 2026
English, Spanish
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
US$2,695 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
From Thursday
15 Oct, 2026
To Monday
19 Oct, 2026
English, Spanish
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
US$2,695 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
From Friday
16 Oct, 2026
To Tuesday
20 Oct, 2026
English, Spanish
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
US$2,695 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
From Saturday
17 Oct, 2026
To Wednesday
21 Oct, 2026
English, Spanish
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
US$2,695 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
From Sunday
18 Oct, 2026
To Thursday
22 Oct, 2026
English, Spanish
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
US$2,695 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
From Monday
19 Oct, 2026
To Friday
23 Oct, 2026
English, Spanish
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
US$2,695 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
From Tuesday
20 Oct, 2026
To Saturday
24 Oct, 2026
English, Spanish
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
US$2,695 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
From Wednesday
21 Oct, 2026
To Sunday
25 Oct, 2026
English, Spanish
Check the availability with the operator
Departure on request
From:
US$2,695 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room

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What our customers ask about this tour

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J
Jackie
Asked on February 9th, 2026
I am 17 years old. I am interested in booking a fully supervised Chimborazo climbing trip as a beginner solo traveler. I would like the trip to include acclimatization days before the summit attempt, professional guides and full supervision throughout the trip, sightseeing and local tours around Quito or the volcano region, and transfers and logistics from arrival to departure. Could you please provide a detailed itinerary including acclimatization hikes and any sightseeing options, information on what is included (meals, gear, permits, transportation), any age or parental consent requirements for a 17-year-old solo climber, and a cost estimate per person for this type of fully guided package.
Accommodation
Age Range
Meals
Price / Availability
Tour Details
Transport
- GUIDEcuador TravelOperator•Written February 2026
  For safety reasons participants must be 18 years old to join this tour. Since you are currently 17, it would only be possible if you have a written authorization from your parents or if you travel with one of them.
T
Tammy
Asked on December 22nd, 2025
A friend and I are traveling to Ecuador to climb Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. We are both fit hikers who are excited for the climb. We will be in Quito for a week before climbing to help get acclimatized. I'd like your help understanding the options you have. We have 2 ideas in our mind: 1. Do a few acclimatization hikes from Quito by ourselves before coming (Pasochoa, Iliniza Norte), then do an express 5 day tour with you. 2. Do a longer 9 day tour with you which covers everything. Could you break down the cost difference between them for us, so we can decide. Also any recommendations you have.
Price / Availability
Tour Details
- GUIDEcuador TravelOperator•Written December 2025
  Option 1: Self-guided acclimatization + Climbing express 5 day tour. Tour cost is USD 2,695 per person. This tour is focused specifically on Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, assuming you already arrive well acclimatized. Option 2: Full guided 9-day program. Tour cost is USD 4,815 per person. In both tours we take care of all the required permits and logistics. Our recommendation: If you prefer flexibility and already plan to acclimatize independently, the 5-day express tour is a good fit. If you'd like a fully coordinated experience with carefully planned acclimatization to optimize your chances on the biggest peaks, the 9-day program is the ideal option.

Trip essentials

Good to know

Tour ID: 332478

The practical details for your trip across Ecuador: money, plugs and flexible ways to pay, all in one place.

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Pay in installments
Spread the cost in interest-free biweekly installments of $128.
Deposit only
Book now with just a 10% deposit. The remaining balance is due 95 days before departure.
$ - US Dollar
You’ll encounter US Dollar in Ecuador.
Plug types A, B
You’ll need an adapter for these sockets in Ecuador.

Currency
$
US Dollar
Ecuador
Plugs & adapters
As a traveler from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types A, B.
- Type A
  Used in Ecuador
- Type B
  Used in Ecuador
Visa
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and how long you stay. We can’t process visas for you, but here’s a quick indication for this trip.
This is only an indication. Visa rules depend on your passport, trip length and purpose. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate before you travel.
Payment information
Pay now
A 10% deposit
Balance due
95 days before departure
Installments
Interest-free, every two weeks
Currency
USD
Booking fee
None
Book now with just a 10% deposit and pay the rest later. The remaining balance is due 95 days before departure, charged automatically to your card, or you can split it into interest-free biweekly installments of $128 at checkout. Everything is charged in USD, and TourRadar never adds a booking fee. Any trip departing before January 12th, 2027 will need to be paid in full at checkout.
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From

US $2,695 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select departure month

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Pay only 10% today. The rest is due 95 days before departure. Learn more

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Climbing Cotopaxi and Chimborazo Express 5 Days Tour

Itinerary

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Reviews from other tours by GUIDEcuador Travel

Dates & Prices

Want to read it later?

Why book with TourRadar?

What our customers ask about this tour

Pay in installments

Deposit only

$ - US Dollar

Plug types A, B

Currency

Plugs & adapters

Visa

Payment information

Accepted for GUIDEcuador Travel tours

Best price guarantee

How it works

Your quote needs

What doesn’t count

Cancellation Policy

Insurance

Accessibility

People also viewed

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