Climbing and Trekking around Riobamba:

Chimborazo I The eastern slopes I El Altar I Sangay I Book a Tour

Riobamba is a perfect point for various daily excursions due to its complex road networks which are great for trekkers and climbers to such areas as far as Tungurahua, Sangay, El Altar and the closer Carihuairazo, Chimborazo volcanoes and Ingapirca (Inca trail).

See Tour operators, the volcanoes section, Climbing and Trekking.

Chimborazo

Standing at 6,310 m with the added advantage of the Equatorial bulge that just out from the Equator making it the highest point from the earth's center this colossal form presents immediate altitude problems for most mountaineers and though the refuge is drivable via car only the most experienced climbers should attempt this King Kong of volcanoes accompanied by complete equipment check list to the summit. As well as spending time acclimatizing no one should attempt to climb outside the months of June-September with exception of December. There are two ways to climb this mountain, through the: northwest face and the southwest face.

There are numerous guides who can help educate the climber and show them the way. Citing just a few examples Enrique Coronado of Asociación de Andinismo de Chimborazo (Chile 33-21 and Francia), is available after 3pm on Tel. 960916. Along with his sons who work under his technical guidance. Silvio Pesantes of the Sangay Expeditions (ASEGUIM member), is a second highly recommended guide. A third referral is with Marco Cruz of Expediciones Andinas (Tel. 962845) and though expensive is valued as one of the best guides with all the credentials within the Alpine club, the cost of any guide who is a member of the Expediciones Andinas as a bench mark is around US $150.00 daily. Another excellent guide is Héctor Vásquez at Colegio Nacional Bolívar, Ambato, has completed several successful expeditions and is a high level mountaineer.

The southwest face

Although the Whymper route to the summit has been a frequently traversed run in the past decades it is currently very dangerous due to a large ball of snow directly below the summit which softens to the consistency of sugar in the day once the sun's rays hit it and so you should only climb at night and descend early morning for fear of avalanches and fatalities, what makes this more treacherous is that the markers are also hard to follow at night although there are red flags clearly marked to the main three routes to the summit. The refuge is reached via taxi inside 2 hours from Riobamba through the Arenal road later joining the San Juan route. The taxi fair is around US$50.00 return or around US$25.00 one way. Look out on your return journey for the car park area where you'll find several taxis for hire. Various Hotels in Riobamba will also help you arrange taxi logistics so you can pre-organize your days and schedules from your own accommodation in most cases. Entrance fee The cost upon entering the Reserva de Producción de Fauna Chimborazo is US $10.00 as the volcano lies within the perimeter.

Accommodation The refugio is on an elevation of 4800m (Hermanos Carrel refuge) and comes fitted out with 8 bunk beds including mattresses, 1 private room for 2 people, cooking facilities, water, toilet, electricity and a dining area. In addition, do take your own food and additional blankets or sleeping bags. The second accommodation and refugio is located 500m further up in a pink decorated building near Thielman glacier with 5 separate rooms housing up to 40. The cost is US$10.00 daily. Other places to stay Casa Condor.- Is located In the village of Puliguí San Pablo, with a few rooms and bunk beds, kitchen facilities, hot shower and meals upon request. Base camp.- Is set at the foot of the volcano surrounded by picturesque scenery and views. Prior booking may be arranged through Expediciones Andinas in Riobamba or, through our online Hotel reservation form.

The Northwest face The second way to the volcano summit is via bus (Guaranda bus from Ambato), or taxi to the valley of Pogyos starting at 4000m ascent approximately 55km from Riobamba. Here, outside an old metal tin roof you can rent mules for around US$5.00 daily, who'll carry your equipment but watch out for anyone trying to pinch your stuff while ascending, have one person always watching at the back. The refuge is around 3 hours away at 4,900m called Fabián Zurita but is still unusable so you'll need tents, either bring your own or rent them from Pogyos. From this land mark it's another 8 hours to the summit and 4 hours back down so make your calculations well before arriving with your timing calculations. You may also ascend via San Juan in jeep to Arenal. The eastern slopes Trekking the Chimborazo volcano is also accessed via the paramo on Igualata on the eastern slopes. Many of the locals also traverse these slopes and cut huge ice blocks called "hieleros" from the glaciers for sale in the town of Riobamba. If you need horses for rental, these can be hired in Urbina, a small village located between Riobamba and Ambato.

Accommodation There is a unique converted railway station called Posada de la Estación with food, hot water and dining area as well as a homely fireplace and an interesting slide show. Reservations: Tel & Fax 2942215 in Riobamba. Or, book in advance through our online Hotel reservation form.

El Altar

El Altar Standing at 5300m, the fifth highest volcano in Ecuador the mountain lies inside the Sangay National park. © Picture by Isabel de Wuth. 02-2282841. Camping inside the crater is attractive for many climbers of this extinct volcano complete with its blown out crater due to the glistening emerald greenish yellow lakes depths also known as Yellow lagoon (Laguna Amarilla). Before the crater lies a very attractive cave also worth checking out, with a reeded floor. In addition, you can hire mules or horses at US$60.00 daily with guides although before ascending always check conditions with the guides who are in constant contact via radio with the Hacienda Releche. Most buses run from Riobamba and Baños to Penipe then onwards to Candelaria from this small village you'll cross the nearest bridge 2-3km from the park station (green color) with the main entrance sign and pay US$10.00 or US$12.00 for overnight accommodation, you can also arrive via trucks from Penipe as well as arranging guides or mules from Candelaria as it's a full day's hike to the crater from here on the various trails that lead to the main track which any guide can help you with if you want a push start to the right route for a few dollars for guidance. The main season to hike the volcano is December to March.

Technical climbs Considered the most technically demanding and challenging volcano in Ecuador, only the most experienced climbers should try the various summits unless accompanied with a professional guide, 7 of which are, from north to south: Fraile Grande (5,180 m); Fraile Central (5,070 m); Fraile Oriental (5,060 m); Fraile Beato (5,050 m); Tabernáculo (5,100 m); Monja Chica (5,080 m); and Monja Grande (5,160 m). The most challenging summit is the Ruta Obispo with grade 5 ice and rock difficulties and is the highest summit standing at 5,310m with camping at the Italian base camp near the summit while the second highest is Cima El Canónigo, 5260m similarly challenging in technical difficulty. Accommodation One of the closest accommodations to the volcano is Hostal Capac Urcu, in Hacienda Releche with hot water, a bath, kitchen and meals if necessary with horses for rental. Reservations: Tel 03-2949761. Or, book in advance through our online Hotel reservation form. The park station also in the past has helped with accommodation if open and is cheap with hot water, showers and cooking area facilities. Ask in Riobamba at the Ministerio del Ambiente office.

Sangay

At 5,350m Sangay is the most active volcano in the Andes mountain range lying within the perimeter of Parque Nacional Sangay and spews out rocks, ash and bellowing smoke. Most climbers don't attempt to climb this volcano even though it is easy to climb because fatalities are high here as a result of rock explosions as well as falling stones resulting in serious injuries. The best view is also from afar and the 6-7 day hike to the mountain is too arduous for most which only takes you to the base. If you do hire a guide essential to reach the base, do it from the access village of Alao, which is very close to Riobamba. Few guides will entertain climbing up the mountain, instead they'll watch you and wait till you descend. The best season to climb Sangay is December till January. For further information contact Ministerio del Ambiente in Riobamba.

Book a Tour

The Best of Ecuador.com (BOE) has lately teamed up with the most recognized, respected Travel Agencies and Tour operators in the country. By filling in our online Travel Agencies and Tour operators network reservation form, visitors may ask for a quote and book in advance as well for professional guided climbing and trekking tours for the above mentioned volcanoes.

Climbing and Trekking around Riobamba:

Chimborazo I The eastern slopes I El Altar I Sangay I Book a Tour

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