Rock Climbing

Due to the country's uneven mountainous landscape interlaced with volcanoes, Ecuador offers excellent opportunities for rock climbing.

Geotours has opened several routes for both novices and expert climbers and offers trips accompanied by experienced guides trained in rock climbing and the use of climbing equipment. Climbing trips range from 1 to 4 days and could potentially take you to all different areas of the country.

Being at the base of the active Tungurahua Volcano, Baños is surrounded by volcanic rock, canyons, and natural rock walls.

If you love rock climbing or if you are interested in learning more about this exciting sport, we have climbing courses that will teach you everything you need to know.

 

ROCK CLIMBING

HALF DAY Rock Climbing is an adrenaline sport that forces you to challenge not only your physical strength and stamina, but also your mental toughness and endurance. The Andes Mountains that run through Ecuador provide excellent opportunities for rock climbing, especially in and around Baños.

First you will practice the basic movements and body positions in order to moving along the rock wall or boulder. After mastering the basics you will move on to practice on the real rock wall equipped with safety gear such as a harness and ropes. A PROFESSIONAL GUIDE WILL BE WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES.

ECUADOR- ROCK CLIMBING 8-10 DAYS

• ZIGZIPAMBA
• CUYUJA
• BAÑOS
• SAN JUAN
• PAUTE
• COJITAMBO

Contact us for more details about this tour.
Minimum 3 people

 

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING - VOLCANOES

THE ANDES MOUNTAIN RANGE
In Ecuador there are two main mountain ranges that make up the Andes- one in the east and one in the west. The two ranges meet in the north at the Nudo de Pasto and in the south at the Nudo de Sabanilla which stretches even further into northern Peru.

From there the different mountain ranges branch off and extend to the east and west where they eventually join the coastal lowlands or the Amazon. There is a third Andean Mountain Range in the Amazon, similar to that of Colombia and Peru, called the Range of the Condor.

TUNGURAHUA
Tungurahua is an active volcano located just outside of Baños in the eastern Andes.

It is one of the most popular climbing challenges in Ecuador and attracts a variety of mountain trekkers, climbers, and tourists. The summit is topped by a small glacier and volcanic material.

Throughout the year it's possible to see volcanic activity such as gases and lava sputtering from the mouth of the volcano. The first successful ascent of the volcano was in 1873 by Wilhelm Reiss and Alphonse Stubel.

COTOPAXI
Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world, is located 60 km south of Quito. It sits in an immense national park that spans 33,393 hectares and occupies three different provinces: Cotopaxi, Pichincha, and Napo. The park is notable for its flora and fauna, mountains, and lagoons, and it is one of the most photographed areas in all of Ecuador. The Cotopaxi Volcano sits at 5,897 meters above sea level making it the perfect high-altitude ascent, suitable for both beginners and experienced mountain climbers.

CHIMBORAZO
The Chimborazo Nature Reserve is the epitome of tranquility- encompassing 58,560 hectares of fresh air, diverse fauna, and beautiful natural scenery. The reserve protects the natural Andean ecosystem and the long-time inhabitants of the region such as vicuñas (a relative of the llama), llamas, and alpacas. The reserve sits in parts of the Chimborazo, Bolívar, and Tungurahua provinces and is located 163 km south of Quito. The main attraction is the snow-capped Chimborazo Volcano at 6,310 meters. Also worth noting is the impressive neighboring 5,020 meter peak, Carihuairazo. A rock and ice climb make Chimborazo one of the more technical and physically challenging ascents in the Ecuadorian Andes, therefore it is essential that you train beforehand and climb with specialized guides.

EL ALTAR
Named "The Altar" by the Spanish Conquistadors and "Powerful Mountain" by the Quechua-speaking Indians who originally inhabited the region, El Altar is an extinct volcano on Ecuador's western mountain range. Brilliantly colored lagoons are hidden throughout the beautiful countryside that surrounds the volcano. The highest peak (5,319 meters) was summited only once, by an Italian team in 1963.

CARIHUAIRAZO
The Carihuairazo Volcano is located within the Chimborazo Natural Reserve and can be recognized by its enormous north-facing crest with two dominant peaks. The area surrounding the volcano is generally used for raising alpacas, an animal commonly found in the Andes that is bred for its quality wool. Arturo Eichher (German), Horacio Uribe (Colombian), and Jean Morawieki (French) were the first to summit Carihuairazo in 1951.

 

PROGRAMS

Tungurahua 5,016 meters

Introduction
Tungurahua is an active volcano located just outside of Baños in the eastern Andes. It is one of the most popular climbing challenges in Ecuador and attracts a variety of mountain trekkers, climbers, and tourists. The summit is topped by a small glacier and volcanic material. Throughout the year it's possible to see volcanic activity such as gases and lava sputtering from the mouth of the volcano. The first successful ascent of the volcano was in 1873 by Wilhelm Reiss and Alphonse Stubel.

Day 1: We leave from Baños and drive 1 hour to Pondoa in the Sangay National Park (the main access point for the Tungurahua Volcano).

It is a 3 to 4 hour hike from Pondoa to the "Nicolas Martinez" refuge at 3,800 meters. Lunch will be served at the refuge and then we will make our return trip to Pondoa. You can choose if you would like to then return to Baños on bicycle or in the car.

The tour includes: transportation, food, guide, bicycles (optional)

COTOPAXI 5,897 meters

Introduction
Cotopaxi is the tallest active volcano in the world and its perfectly cone-shape peak covered in glaciers makes it an excellent climbing challenge.

2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT

DAY 1: We'll leave Baños in a 4 x 4 and arrive at the Cotopaxi National Park 4 hours later. After parking the car at our starting point of 4,600 meters, we will hike about 30 minutes to the "Jose Rivas" refuge at 4,800 meters. The guide will give climbing instructions and you will have the chance to practice in the ice and rocks near the refuge. We will spend the night in the refuge.

DAY 2: The wake-up call is at 12:00am. We'll eat breakfast and begin the ascent. Eventually we will arrive at Yanasacha (Black Rock) at an altitude of 5,700 meters and from there you will be able to see the summit. The total ascent will take about 6 to 8 hours and we will arrive at the summit just in time for the sunrise. After taking in the breathtaking views we will hike back down to the refuge, eat lunch, and return to Baños.

The tour includes: Transportation, lodging, climbing equipment, food, and guide
The tour does NOT include: National Park and Refuge entrance fees
Minimum: 2 people

 

CHIMBORAZO 6,310 meters

Introduction
Chimborazo is the tallest peak in Ecuador and is surrounded by a variety of different ecosystems, from the humid Abraspungo valley to the desert climate of Arenal. Two older volcanoes that eroded away long ago left this beautiful mountain in their spot. A British man, Edward Lloriquea, was the first to summit the volcano in 1880.

2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT

DAY 1: At 9:00am we leave Baños and head south to the city of Riobamba. From there you have the option of visiting an indigenous community called "La Chorrera".

We will arrive at the first refuge and have a 30 minute hike up to the second refuge at an altitude of 5,000 meters where lunch will be served. In the afternoon the guide will give climbing instructions and you will have the chance to practice in the ice and rocks near the refuge. We will eat dinner and spend the night at the refuge.

DAY 2: At 12:00am we will wake up, eat breakfast, and begin the ascent. We will arrive at the first peak, Veintimilla (6,267 meters) and then carry on to the second and final peak at 6,310 meters. The entire ascent will take 7 to 8 hours. After taking in the breathtaking views we will hike back down to the refuge, eat lunch, and return to Baños.

The tour includes: Transportation, lodging, climbing equipment, food, and guide
Minimum: 2 people

EL ALTAR 5,319 meters

Introduction
Named "The Altar" by the Spanish Conquistadors and "Powerful Mountain" by the Quechua-speaking Indians who originally inhabited the region, El Altar is an extinct volcano on Ecuador's western mountain range. Brilliantly colored lagoons are hidden throughout the beautiful countryside that surrounds the volcano. The highest peak (5,319 meters) was summited only once, by an Italian team in 1963.

3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS

DAY 1: From Baños we will drive to La Candelaria, the main entrance of the Sangay National Park. We will hike through the Collanes Valley until we arrive at our campsite and have lunch. In the afternoon we will go out on another hike and dinner will be served at the end of the day.

DAY 2: After breakfast we will pack up our gear and hike 2 hours until we arrive at El Pedregal where we will set up camp and have lunch. In the afternoon we will hike to the volcano crater and visit the Lago Amarillo (Yellow Lake) on the way back to the campsite. Dinner will be served.

DAY 3: After breakfast we will start our journey back to the entrance of the Sangay National Park. From there a car will pick us up and take us back to Baños.

The tour includes: Transportation, lodging, camping gear, food, and guide
The tour does NOT include: National Park entrance fee
Minimum: 2 people

CARIHUAIRAZO 5,020 meters

Introduction
The Carihuairazo Volcano is located within the Chimborazo Natural Reserve and can be recognized by its enormous north-facing crest with two dominant peaks.

The area surrounding the volcano is generally used for raising alpacas, an animal commonly found in the Andes that is bred for its quality wool.

Arturo Eichher (German), Horacio Uribe (Colombian), and Jean Morawieki (French) were the first to summit Carihuairazo in 1951.

2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT

DAY 1: We leave from Baños and drive approximately 3 hours to the main entrance to the Chimborazo Nature Reserve. Once we arrive we will hike to the base of a glacier where we will set up camp. Lunch will be served and the guide will give climbing instructions and review the climbing equipment. Dinner will be served at the campsite.

DAY 2: Leaving at 6:00am we will begin climbing up the glacier at the base of the main peak. After another 20 meter climb we will reach the summit. We will enjoy the spectacular views and return to the campsite for breakfast and then return to Baños.

The tour includes: Transportation, lodging, food, climbing and camping gear, and guide
The tour does NOT include: National Park entrance fees
Minimum: 2 people

ILINIZAS

Summiting the northern Iliniza peak is fairly easy. On the other hand, only very experienced Andean mountain climbers have managed to summit the southern peak.

The southern and northern peaks were originally named Ilinizas and Tiopniza (which means the Man Mountain and Woman Mountain respectively) by the Atacama people who previously inhabited the region.

Height: The Ilinizas extend from 800 meters above sea level to 5,305 meters about sea level at Iliniza Sur (southern peak) and 5,116 meters above sea level at Iliniza Norte (northern peak).

Location: The snowcapped Ilinizas are located in the Pichincha and Cotopaxi provinces.

Iliniza Norte 2 DAYS

DAY 1: Leaving from Baños, we drive about 3 hours until we reach the entrance to the Ilinizas Ecological Reserve. From there we hike to the refuge where lunch will be served and the guide will give climbing instructions and review the climbing equipment. Dinner will be served at the refuge.

DAY 2: We will wake up at 7:00am and hike up to the summit at 5,116 meters. After enjoying the breathtaking views we will return to the refuge for lunch then return to Baños.

The tour includes: Transportation, lodging, food, climbing and camping gear, and guide
The tour does NOT include: National Park entrance fee
Minimum: 2 people