Altitude
5018 m
Elevation gain to the summit
about 800 m
Climbing time
about 5 h
Duration
2 days / 1 night
Departs from
Riobamba
Difficulty
4/10
Why climb it
Four reasons to climb Carihuairazo
01
Your first 5,000-meter peak
At 5018 m, it is the first summit above 5000 m for many climbers. On our scale it is a 4/10 in difficulty.
02
Chimborazo, face to face
It sits about 10 km from Chimborazo and, from its summit, you can see the highest mountain in Ecuador.
03
Good practice with the technical gear
About 800 m of elevation gain and around 5 hours of climbing to get used to moving in high-mountain equipment before higher goals.
04
A night of camping and a summit push in the early morning
You sleep in a tent and set out in the early morning hours: the full high-mountain experience, in two days from Riobamba.
Who is it for? For anyone who wants to take the leap into high-altitude climbing. Good physical fitness is required. Before departure, your professional guide gives a technical briefing on how to use the equipment.
See the expedition
What makes it special
A mountain with two summits
Chimborazo's neighbor
It sits about 10 km from Chimborazo. From the summit you can see the highest volcano in Ecuador.
Two main summits
The Máxima, at 5018 m, and the Mocha, at about 4960 m.
A heavily eroded volcano
It is an ancient volcano worn down by time: its caldera, about 1.5 km wide, opens to the east. It is said that, before its eruption thousands of years ago, it was larger than Chimborazo.
A legend shared with Chimborazo
Tradition says that Taita Chimborazo, in his dispute over Mama Tungurahua, knocked Carihuairazo down.
Its name
Why is it called Carihuairazo?
It is a name of Quichua origin. In the native language it would be Caryhuarazu, and the most repeated interpretation joins three words: cari, “man”; huayra, “wind”; and razu, “snow” or “ice”.
It is usually read as “the man of wind and snow”. Scholars do not agree on a single version: it is one of those questions the mountain has not yet answered.
Quichua
Cari
man
Huayra
wind
Razu
snow
First to climb it
Who climbed it first
1880
Edward Whymper, Jean-Antoine and Louis Carrel
The British mountaineer and the Carrel guides climb one of the summits in the middle of the fog. When the sky cleared, Whymper saw that the other summit was slightly higher.
1951
Arturo Eichler, Horacio López Uribe and Jean Morawiecki
They are credited with the first undisputed ascent of the highest summit, the Máxima.
How the climb works
What summit day is like
1
Riobamba → camping area
We leave Riobamba at the time agreed with the guide team and head to the camping area, where we set up the tents.
2
Technical briefing and dinner
Technical briefing on how to use the equipment, then dinner. You bring your own food and we cook it on the camping stoves we provide. Then, rest.
3
Early morning, at the start of the trail
In the early morning we move up to the start of the trail.
4
Toward the summit
From the start of the trail there are about 800 m of elevation gain to the summit, with a climbing time of about 5 hours (between 4 and 5, depending on the group's pace).
5
The return
We go back to the camping area, break camp and return to Riobamba.
Why in the early morning?
We set out in the early morning because the snow is firmer, so we get back down before the sun softens it.
The departure time
It is agreed in advance with the guide team. Times are approximate.
Gear
What you need to climb
Provided by Greenstep
Technical and camping equipment included
- Semi-rigid high-mountain boots
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- Gaiters
- Crampons
- Harness
- Carabiner
- Gloves
- Helmet
- Headlamp (batteries not included)
- Ice axe
- Sleeping bag rated for temperatures below 0 °C
- 50 L backpack
- Shared camping tents
- Sleeping pad
- Camping stoves
You bring
Essentials
- Base layer (thermal Lycra)
- Mid layer (fleece or down)
- Base-layer gloves
- Double socks: one compression pair and one merino wool pair
- Summit daypack (30 L maximum)
- Hydration
- Energy bars or nuts
- Sunscreen
- UV-protection glasses
- Buff, balaclava or cap (not cotton)
- Food for your dinner and breakfast
- Trekking shoes Optional: you can use the high-mountain boots we already include
The essentials are what you bring; they are not included. Food is not included: you bring it and it is cooked on the camping stoves we provide. Without these items the summit climb cannot take place.
Camp
The camping area
It is the base of the expedition: this is where the tents are set up, the technical briefing is given, dinner is eaten and you rest for a few hours before heading to the summit.
Camp altitude
4200 m
From Riobamba
About 1 h by vehicle
To the summit
800 m · about 5 h
How you sleep
In shared tents, with a sleeping pad and a sleeping bag rated for temperatures below 0 °C.
How you cook
With the camping stoves we provide. You bring the food for dinner and breakfast.
Getting there
Getting to the camping area
- Riobamba, the expedition's departure point. We can also arrange transport from other cities, at an additional cost.
- Vehicle transfer to the camping area: about 1 hour. The entry permit to the reserve is included in the expedition.
- Camping area, at 4200 m: we set up the tents, have dinner and rest.
- In the early morning, we move up to the start of the trail.
- Summit, at 5018 m: about 800 m of elevation gain and about 5 hours of climbing.
Altitude profile (visual reference from 4000 m)
Summit
5018 m
+ 800 m · about 5 h
Camp
4200 m
The way to the camp is short. Beyond that, the mountain demands a professional guide, equipment and experience: that is why the expedition includes both.
See the expeditionBefore you go
Best season and preparation
Best season
You can climb all year round: there is no specific season. From June to September it tends to be windier and colder.
How to prepare
Good physical fitness and good hydration. It is a good first mountain before higher goals, such as Cotopaxi.
See the Cotopaxi guideFrequently asked questions
What people ask us most
How hard is it to climb Carihuairazo?
On our scale, 4/10: it is a good mountain to start with. It is about 800 m of elevation gain and around 5 hours of climbing from the start of the trail. Good physical fitness is required; before departure, the guide gives a technical briefing.
How long does the expedition last?
Two days and one night: departure from Riobamba, camping, early-morning climb, return to camp and back to Riobamba.
What is included?
Professional guide (at least 1 for every 2 participants), transport, mountain equipment, shared camping tents, sleeping pads, entry permit to the reserve and camping stoves. Food is not included.
Can you see Chimborazo from the summit?
Yes. Carihuairazo is about 10 km from Chimborazo, and it can be seen from the summit.
Is it a good mountain to start with?
Yes: it is considered ideal for getting started in high-altitude climbing and is the first 5,000-meter peak for many climbers. Even so, good physical fitness is required.
What food should I bring?
You bring your own dinner and breakfast. You cook them on the camping stoves we provide.
Next step
Ready to climb Carihuairazo?
A Greenstep advisor will help you on WhatsApp. They can adjust the program, dates and destination to what you need.
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