$3,915 per person

Based on a 6+ person group.

Dates: November 26th – December 11th

This Ecuador expedition combines acclimatization, glacier instruction, and high-altitude climbing across Cotopaxi, Cayambe, and Chimborazo. The itinerary is intentionally structured to build experience progressively while maximizing safety, acclimatization, and summit success.

What’s Included

• Welcome dinner
• Celebration dinner
• Certified summit certificate for each volcano
• Private airport transfers
• Botique hotels in Quito and the mountainside on Cotopaxi for acclimation
• All refuge bookings
• All transport to and from the mountains
• Dinner the night before summit days
• Breakfast the day of summit days
• Shared rope
• Guide at a 1:2 ratio
• Permits and fees

Not Included

• International airfare to and from Ecuador
• Transportation to and from Quito outside of the scheduled itinerary
• Personal travel insurance, including high-altitude rescue and evacuation
• Required personal gear (not provided unless rented separately)
• Mountaineering boots
• Crampons
• Ice axe
• Helmet
• Harness
• Sleeping bag
• Technical clothing and layers
• Personal medications
• Tips and gratuities for guides and drivers
• Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled or mineral water
• Extra snacks or personal purchases
• Wi-Fi, mobile calls, and charging of electronic devices (where available)
• Optional celebration champagne lunch at PapaGayo (approximately $10 USD, paid locally)
• Extra hotel nights due to early arrival, late departure, or itinerary changes
• Meals not outlined in the above section
• Additional costs caused by itinerary changes due to weather, volcanic activity, road conditions, or safety decisions made by guides or park authorities

Who This Trip Is For

This expedition is designed for those stepping into glaciated mountaineering for the first time, or building experience on high-altitude snow and ice.

Ecuador’s volcanos are often considered an ideal progression from trekking peaks like Kilimanjaro. They introduce technical elements—crampons, ice axe, rope travel—while remaining accessible to those with a strong endurance base. They enable climbers to experience multiple ascents to altitude making them a prime training ground for longer expedition pushes like Aconcagua and Denali.

This is a strong fit if you:

• Maintain a consistent fitness routine (running, hiking, skiing, etc.)
• Are comfortable moving for 6–8 hours with a pack at altitude
• Want to gain hands-on experience on snow and glacier terrain
• Are preparing for larger objectives like Denali or Aconcagua

You don’t need prior technical experience—but you do need to be prepared to learn, stay engaged, and move consistently in a demanding environment.

This is not designed as a casual climb. It’s for those who want to approach their first glaciated peak with intention, preparation, and respect for the mountain.

Fitness & Preparation

The Ecuadorian volcanos demand strong aerobic fitness, efficient movement, and the ability to perform at high altitude in cold, variable conditions.

You should be able to:

• Move uphill for 6–10 hours with a 10–15 lb pack for multiple days in a row
• Gain 3,500–4,500 ft of elevation in a day
• Maintain a slow, steady pace at altitude without extended breaks
• Recover effectively across consecutive days of effort

Training should focus on:

• Endurance: running, hiking, or sustained uphill movement
• Elevation gain: steep hiking, stair climbing, or incline training
• Strength: lower body and core stability for long ascents and descents
• Pack movement: training with a loaded pack to build efficiency and durability

We provide individualized guidance so you arrive prepared, efficient, and confident at altitude.

The Not-So-Fine Print

Altitude, Health & Safety

This itinerary is intentionally designed to prioritize acclimatization, skills development, and conservative decision-making to maximize safety and summit success for first-time glaciated climbers.

Any signs of AMS, HACE, or HAPE will result in an immediate descent. There are no exceptions. All continuation, turnaround, and summit decisions are made solely by the licensed Ecuadorian mountain guide, whose judgment is final.

Reaching the summit of Cotopaxi is never guaranteed. Summit decisions are based on weather, glacier conditions, group health, and individual performance. Fatigue above 15,000 ft is common—even with proper acclimatization—and should be expected.

Ash to Altitude coordinates logistics, preparation, and skills coaching. All guiding and on-mountain safety decisions are made by the licensed local guide, particularly while traveling on snow, ice, and glaciated terrain.

Minimum fitness requirement: Participants must be capable of hiking uphill for 6–8 hours at altitude, often in cold and windy conditions, while wearing mountaineering boots and carrying a small pack.

Altitude Considerations

Proper acclimatization depends on steady pacing, patience, and discipline. Gaining elevation too quickly or pushing the pace unnecessarily increases fatigue and significantly raises the risk of altitude illness.

The core principle is climb high, sleep low. The itinerary is intentionally structured to expose the body to higher elevations during acclimatization hikes while allowing recovery at lower sleeping altitudes before moving higher.

Alcohol and smoking are not permitted during the climb. Both impair acclimatization, increase dehydration, and negatively affect recovery—especially at altitude.

Hydration is non-negotiable. Drink consistently throughout the day. Appetite often decreases at altitude, but maintaining caloric intake is essential. If solid food is unappealing, prioritize soups, broths, teas, and other easily digestible calories.

Mindset matters. Altitude can amplify anxiety and negative thought loops. Staying present, communicating openly with your guide and teammates, and engaging with the environment supports both physical adaptation and overall experience.

Meals & Accommodations

Meals are provided as outlined in the itinerary and vary by location.

In Quito: meals are generally not included outside of the welcome and celebratory dinners, allowing flexibility for personal preferences.

At the José Ribas Refuge: lunch, dinner and breakfast are included prior to the summit attempt.

Food at altitude is simple, hearty, and functional. Western options may be limited.

Accommodations range from city hotels in Quito to mountain lodges at intermediate altitude and basic refuge lodging at José Ribas Refuge. Refuge accommodations are dorm-style with shared facilities and limited amenities. Heating is minimal, and sleeping conditions are cold.

Weather, Conditions & Summit Outcomes

Late November and early December generally offer stable climbing conditions on Cotopaxi, but mountain weather is inherently unpredictable. High winds, storms, or changing glacier conditions may affect the itinerary.

No refunds will be issued for:

• Inability to summit due to weather or glacier conditions
• Guide decisions to turn around, delay, or cancel a summit attempt for safety
• Fatigue, altitude illness, or inability to continue
• Schedule changes, acclimatization adjustments, or partial completion of the climb

All decisions are made conservatively and always in the interest of safety.

One reserve day for Chimborazo is already built into the itinerary and included in the expedition cost. Additional summit attempts beyond the included reserve day may incur additional refuge and guide fees based on availability and conditions.