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

•

Start and end in Quito

4.7 (122 reviews)

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From

US $2,695 per person

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Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Booking needs min. 2 travelers

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

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Plan your adventure:

Gold Operator: GUIDEcuador Travel
Adventure & Adrenaline: Seek thrilling adventures that keep you moving
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

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 from Cotopaxi parking lot to José Ribás Refuge (approximately 1 hour)
- Basic climbing techniques training including equipment handling
Landmarks
Cotopaxi National Park
José Ribás Refuge
Day 2
José Ribás Refuge to Cotopaxi Summit
José Ribás Refuge to Cotopaxi Summit
Meals
Breakfast (Light breakfast)
Included Activities
- Summit climb to Cotopaxi (19,347ft/5,897m)
- Glacier ascent with crampons
Landmarks
Cotopaxi
Day 3
Machachi
Machachi
Meals
Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit to Tesalia Water Springs
- Local indigenous market (Sundays only - animals, fruit, handicraft)
- Horseback riding
- Cow milking experience
- Local delicatessen sampling including guinea pig
Day 4
Machachi to Chimborazo High Camp
Machachi to Chimborazo High Camp
Meals
Dinner (Light dinner)
Included Activities
- Equipment check and preparation at Hermanos Carrel refuge
- Hike from Hermanos Carrel refuge to High Camp (approximately 3 hours)
Landmarks
Chimborazo
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
- Summit climb to Chimborazo (20,702ft/6,310m)
Landmarks
Chimborazo

Landmarks
Cotopaxi National Park
José Ribás Refuge

Landmarks
Cotopaxi

Landmarks
Chimborazo

Landmarks
Chimborazo

What's Included

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Accommodation
Guide
Insurance
Meals
Transport
Optional Extras

What's Not Included

Flights
Additional Services

Operated by

GUIDEcuador Travel

Gold Operator

Rating: 4.7 (122 reviews)
Response time: 5 hours
Response rate: 100%
Cancellation policy

Reviews from other tours by GUIDEcuador Travel

Tour Operator
4.7

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
Daniella5.0•April 2026
The best experience I've ever had! Everyone made it so perfect!

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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.

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

Booking needs min. 2 travelers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 332478

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
Ecuador
Type B
Ecuador
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Typhoid - Recommended for Ecuador. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for Ecuador. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Tuberculosis - Recommended for Ecuador. Ideally 3 months before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for Ecuador. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Rabies - Recommended for Ecuador. Ideally 1 month before travel.
- Yellow fever - Recommended for Ecuador. Ideally 10 days before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before November 20th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after November 20th, 2026, a minimum payment of 10% is required to confirm your booking with GUIDEcuador Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 95 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and GUIDEcuador Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "GUIDEcuador Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of GUIDEcuador Travel. Please familiarize yourself with the GUIDEcuador Travel payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Insurance
Our travel protection from our award-winning partner, XCover, means you and your travel companions can book with peace of mind knowing there’s protection available in case your trip doesn’t go to plan. At checkout you will be able to select between different options in case you or the tour are eligible for insurance. In case no option is available, you are always able to purchase travel insurance outside of TourRadar.
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Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Climbing Cotopaxi and Chimborazo Express 5 Days Tour

Itinerary

Quito to Cotopaxi National Park

Included Activities

José Ribás Refuge to Cotopaxi Summit

Included Activities

Machachi

Optional Activities

Machachi to Chimborazo High Camp

Included Activities

Chimborazo Summit to Quito

Included Activities

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What's Included

What's Not Included

Reviews from other tours by GUIDEcuador Travel

Dates & Availability

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Why book with TourRadar?

What our customers ask about this tour

Good to Know

Keep Exploring Ecuador

Climbing Cotopaxi and Chimborazo Express 5 Days Tour

Itinerary

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Reviews from other tours by GUIDEcuador Travel

Dates & Availability

Want to read it later?

Why book with TourRadar?

What our customers ask about this tour

Earn while you share

Good to Know

Keep Exploring Ecuador

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