3 Summits in 7 Days
Iliniza Norte, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo in seven days, with rest days between the climbs.
Description
A high-mountain program that brings together three of Ecuador's best-known summits: Iliniza Norte (5126 m), Cotopaxi (5897 m) and Chimborazo (6263 m). They are climbed in that order, with rest days in between, to gain altitude progressively.
Each climb starts from a defined meeting point: Machachi for Iliniza Norte and Cotopaxi, and Riobamba for Chimborazo. You are accompanied by ASEGUIM-certified guides; the number of guides is adjusted to the size of your group.
Like all our programs, this one can be customized: a Greenstep team member adjusts it to your level, your dates and whatever you need.
The three summits
Iliniza Norte · 5126 m
Day 1, in a single day (full day). A circuit of about 11.8 km and 1300 m of elevation gain, 6 to 7 hours: from La Virgen (3900 m) to the Nuevos Horizontes refuge and on to the summit. Return to Machachi the same day.
View the mountain detailsCotopaxi · 5897 m
Days 3 and 4. A 1-hour hike from the parking lot (4600 m) to the José Ribas refuge (4800 m), dinner and rest, departure around 11 pm and summit by 7:00 am at the latest.
View the mountain detailsChimborazo · 6263 m
Days 6 and 7. Chimborazo refuge (or High Camp, at 5300 m, optional), departure approximately between 10 pm and 11 pm and summit by 7:00 am at the latest. Ends in Riobamba.
View the mountain detailsWhat's included
Technical equipment provided by Greenstep
Essentials
What you need to bring.
You bring it; it is not included. Without these items the summit climb cannot take place.
Itinerary
Approximate times. The program can be customized.
Climb of Iliniza Norte (5126 m)
Meeting with the Greenstep team in Machachi, a quick equipment check and technical briefing. Transfer to La Virgen (3900 m) and an approach of about 3 hours to the Nuevos Horizontes refuge. Short rest (everyone carries their own snack) and summit climb. Return to the start and end point of the activity in Machachi. It is a single-day circuit of approximately 6 to 7 hours, with no overnight stay.
Rest in Machachi
Free day for recovery and acclimatization.
Climb to the José Ribas refuge
Pick-up in Machachi and transfer to the Cotopaxi National Park checkpoint and then to the parking lot (4600 m). A hike of approximately 1 hour (about 200 m of elevation gain) to the José Ribas refuge (4800 m). We settle in, have dinner, attend the technical briefing and rest. Around 11 pm we begin the summit climb with ASEGUIM-certified guides.
Cotopaxi summit (5897 m) and return
Summit climb, reaching the top by 7:00 am at the latest (about 1100 m of elevation gain from the refuge), with hot drinks and a snack before leaving. Back at the refuge, breakfast is included; then we go down to the parking lot and return to Machachi.
Rest
Recovery after the Cotopaxi climb. Optional light hike or free time.
Refuge and night departure
Meeting in Riobamba (point defined in advance). Transfer to the parking lot and then to the refuge. Check-in and dinner included. Accommodation at High Camp (5300 m) is optional, at extra cost and with prior arrangement with the Greenstep team. The summit climb begins approximately between 10 pm and 11 pm.
Chimborazo summit (6263 m) and end
Summit climb, reaching the top by 7:00 am at the latest. Then we descend to the refuge (or to High Camp, if that accommodation was booked), with breakfast and hot drinks included, and return to Riobamba. There is no fixed return time: it depends on each person's pace on the way down.
