Duration:
14 Days
Duration:
14 Days
Group Size:
Up to 10
Accommodation:
High-End Lodges, Tent-Based Basecamp & Mountain Huts
Difficulty:
Tough, but no previous mountaineering experience is required.
From 4 120$
DEPARTURE DATES
Saturday - July 12, 2025
To Friday - July 25, 2025
$4120
Saturday - November 8, 2025
To Friday - November 21, 2025
$4120
Expedition Highlights
- Summit 4 Andean volcanoes and climb Cotopaxi - one of the world's highest active volcanoes at 19,347 ft. (5.897 m.)
- Glacier School Sessions, Rock Climbing Lessons and On-Ground Mountaineering classes with expert guides
- Support Local Women of The Andes in becoming certified mountain guides. Read more about our work here
- Participate in a traditional shamanic ritual of The Andes honoring Pachamama and learn about her significance to the local people of Ecuador
- Join a tribe of adventurers who share your passion for the mountains, erasing any reservations about finding your place in a new group, even if you’re stepping into this experience solo.
- 4x Guided Yoga & Breathwork classes for optimized performance at high-altitude
Important...
Limited spots available! Secure your spot on this exclusive mountaineering experience, as we have a limited number of openings for this transformative journey.
Not one, not two, not three, but FOUR Summits!
Learn to climb alpine style on this perfect stepping-stone expedition for beginners! Whether you’ve always dreamt about climbing the big mountains, but never had the chance to truly commit to the sport, are an avid hiker and mountain lover, or maybe you have tried high-altitude mountain climbing a couple of times, absolutely loved it and now want more, we promise you a mountaineering experience of a lifetime – with lots of learning and growing as an up and coming mountaineer!
Our professional team and experienced mountain guides have designed this expedition as an introduction to high-altitude mountaineering by progressively building crucial skills such as rope work and glacier climbing techniques along 14 adventurous days in the Ecuadorian Andes, where we will climb Pasochoa, Rumiñahui, Iliniza Norte and the stunning Cotopaxi Volcano at 19,347 ft. (5.897 m.) Soon you’ll feel the summit stoke of the Andes! Let's climb Cotopaxi together!
FAQ
No! We offer both Co-Ed and Women-Only Beginner departures. Only the departures where ‘women-only’ is clearly marked next to the date are for women only. The remaining departures are for everybody!
To join our trips, you must be in excellent physical shape no matter the level of the trip. Climbing Cotopaxi is hard work with summit-days varying between 8-12 hours of continuous effort. So, it is very important that you are honest with yourself in your assessment of your physical level. Consistent training months in advance of the departure date is of utmost importance. We are happy to help with any questions regarding this and can also supply a training-program if desired. Just let us know!
The Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism recognizes the ASEGUIM association as the official guide education of Ecuador. We at Summit Stoke know that the guide makes all the difference. That’s why we only work with locally certified ASEGUIM and internationally certified IFMGA Guides who have a lot of technical experience and also speak English very well. Most of Summit Stoke’s local ASEGUIM guides are also IFMGA-aspirants. We’re proud to say that all of our guides receive an average guest satisfaction score of 9.9/10.
We always try our best to get one of the 3 certified, female mountain guides of Ecuador to lead-guide our women-only departures. However, since there are only 3 in the country it isn’t a guarantee for each departure, which is exactly why we at Summit Stoke are working towards a future with more certified female guides in Ecuador and South America. Read more about our work here.
Yeah! Technical mountaineering gear is included in the price of our beginner expeditions. (Crampons, Ice-Axe, Boots, Helmet & Harness)
We accommodate a variety of dietary needs. Just let us know in advance, and we’ll ensure you have delicious and nutritious meals throughout the trip.
The ultimate goal is to climb Cotopaxi at 19,347 ft. (5.897 m.), an exhilarating experience that will take you higher than most have ever been!
Absolutely. Safety is our foremost concern. Summit Stoke is made up of a small team of mountain professionals and we only work with certified ASEGUIM/IFMGA guides as well as professional and certified drivers for private transportation on our expeditions.
Of course you will! Most of our guests travel alone and find that our expeditions foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. You’ll be surrounded by like-minded adventurers who all are eager to learn mountaineering skills and have lots of fun!
Climbing Cotopaxi is hard work, which requires a high fitness level and good stamina. Summit days vary between 8-12+ hours in total and the altitude makes it a challenging endeavour. However, to climb Cotopaxi you won’t need a big skillset, as being comfortable with your crampons and being able to perform self-arrest with an ice-axe is sufficient, all of which you will learn along this expedition.
Yoga and breathwork
During this Summit Stoke experience we will go deep within ourselves throughout 4 guided classes of yoga poses focused on restitution after climbing and breath mastery (Pranayama) for increased performance in high altitude. Our many years of experience in the Andes have taught us that these practices along with physical and technical training truly improve your all-round skills and positively affect your chances of summiting – especially as a beginner within mountaineering.
These guided classes are carefully planned out in order for all levels to participate. Yoga as well as mountaineering is not a competition, but a free space for you to just be, feel and listen to your body and nature. The biggest lesson of all is to succumb completely to Pachamama (Mother Earth), whether we get to summit or not is first and foremost completely up to the mountain.
Finding your tribe
We are the people who get excited about newly fallen snow, being above the clouds, the sound of glaciers, watching a sunrise, the smell of rain, starry nights and climbing beneath the moon.
Do you want to hike, scramble and climb through life with likeminded people, make new friends and have a lot of fun, while also learning tons about mountaineering, our dear Pachamama and ultimately yourself? Surround yourself with people that push you to do better. No drama or negativity. Just higher goals and higher motivation. Good times and positive energy. No jealousy or competition. Simply bringing out the absolute best in each other?
Welcome, this is your tribe! Our Beginner Mountaineering Experience will make sure to bring you together through our common passion: The Mountains.
Who is this experience for?
This beginner mountaineering experience is for anyone (some departures will be for women only) above 18 years old from all over the world, who are ready to finally ignite their passion for mountain climbing. It is for you, who are not afraid of getting bruised and dirty, who are willing to keep going even when the going gets tough, who are eager to learn, share and embrace new perspectives. Having a burning desire to start climbing mountains and a good physical shape is really all you need in order to embark on this stunning adventure. No prior experience in mountaineering, hiking or yoga is necessary. Show up as a beginner, skill up your mountaineering game and come back different.
Where?
During this experience you will be staying at cozy lodges surrounded by the Ecuadorian Andes as well as mountain refuges and a tent-based basecamp at the foot of the Antisana Volcano. Picture rustic, unpretentious, charming and very comfortable lodges with crackling fireplaces and big living spaces both indoor and outdoor surrounded by towering peaks; Your home in the Andes. Your base around Quito will be a beautiful and quiet family-owned lodge in the lush valleys of Quito. The perfect place to unwind in tranquil, safe, natural surroundings in between your mountain adventures. Isolated yet only few minutes away from the Cumbaya area which is full of great restaurants and bars.
Ecuador Beginner Mountaineering Itinerary:
Day 1 – BIENVENIDOS A ECUADOR
Arrival day. Our guides will pick you up at the Quito airport at 9,500 ft (2.896 m.) and transfer you to your lodge where we will be staying these first two days: An intimate, beautiful, family-run lodge located on the slopes of the Ilaló volcano in one of the lush valleys in the outskirts of Quito. Isolated and quiet yet only a few minutes away from the bubbling Cumbaya area which is full of great restaurants and bars.
Day 2 – ROCK CLIMBING + MIDDLE OF THE WORLD
We will spend the morning climbing at some local rock walls in order to prepare a bit of rope technique and climbing skills for the upcoming climbs. In the afternoon we will visit the interactive Middle of The World museum in Quito, where you can experience the powerful forces of being exactly at the equator. We will be back at our lodge for dinner, some rest and a short briefing about Pasochoa for the next day.
Day 3 – SUMMIT ONE: PASOCHOA VOLCANO
Today we will go on an acclimatization hike to the summit of Pasochoa at 13,779 ft. (4.200 m,). Pasochoa is a beautiful inactive volcano a few hours from Quito and a perfect soft start to this Beginner Mountaineering experience. This hike will help us acclimate and stay in shape for the coming climbs. After Pasochoa we will drive south and rest at a different lodge close to Los Ilinizas and The Cotopaxi National Park. This is another beautiful and cozy lodge located nearer to the big mountains. Here we will have dinner and get a briefing about Rumiñahui, which we will set out for the following day.
Day 4 – SUMMIT TWO: RUMIÑAHUI VOLCANO
Today we will do another beautiful acclimatization hike with a bit of scrambling in the end. We are heading towards the northern summit of Rumiñahui’s three dramatic peaks, which is a climb to 15,489 ft (4.721 m.). Rumiñahui is located inside of the Cotopaxi National Park and the mountain is right in front of the stunning Cotopaxi volcano. So, if the weather allows it, prepare for some epic views! After climbing we will return to our lodge to rest.
Day 5 – REST & YOGA DAY
Today we will rest so we are ready for the big mountains ahead of us the following days. We will stay at the lodge where you will receive an on-ground mountaineering class, so you are more than ready for the giants! In the afternoon we will also engage in a guided yoga practice with emphasis in stretching, releasing tension and relaxing, followed by a guided Pranayama session focusing on breathwork in order to perform optimally in the mountains.
Day 6 – HIKE TO ILINIZAS REFUGE
We will enjoy a slow morning of another guided yoga session with emphasis on awakening our muscles and the nervous system, which is a good preparation for today’s hike to the Ilinizas refuge and tomorrow’s climb towards the top. After preparing our bodies and minds we will drive towards the Ilinizas mountains, where we will hike until the refuge located in between the two peaks at 15,416 ft. (4.700 m.). Here we will rest, marvel at the stunning scenery and spend the night before attempting the summit of Iliniza Norte the next day.
Day 7 – SUMMIT THREE: ILINIZA NORTE
We will get an early breakfast before setting out for the summit of Iliniza Norte at 16,818 ft. (5.126 m.) On clear mornings we will have breathtaking views of Iliniza Sur and Cotopaxi in the distance. The climb is an easy scramble and will help us acclimate for the very high altitudes ahead. After climbing Iliniza Norte we will drive back to our comfortable lodge in the valleys of Quito to rest.
Day 8 – GLACIER SCHOOL SESSION ONE
Today we will drive to the foot of the stunning Antisana volcano, where we will set up a tent-based basecamp in front of the mountain. From here we will hike up to the glacier where you will be practicing glacier climbing skills. After the Glacier School we will hike back down to the basecamp, rest and spend the night here at around 14,760 ft. (4.500 m.). Tonight you’ll be sleeping underneath thousands of stars!
Day 9 – GLACIER SCHOOL SESSION TWO
Today we will hike up to the glacier and continue practicing our skills with another day of Glacier School. After practicing we will hike back down to the basecamp and from here we will drive down to a beautiful Lodge at the foot of the Cotopaxi Volcano inside of The Cotopaxi National Park . Here we will get some proper rest at lower altitude and prepare our gear before our summit attempt of Cotopaxi.
Day 10 – REST & YOGA DAY
Today we will rest at the beautiful lodge and enjoy a guided yoga session with emphasis on stretching and unwinding after some strenuous days on the Antisana glacier followed by a Pranayama session to help us perform optimally in the high altitudes. We will also train our theoretical mountaineering skills by engaging in an on-ground mountaineering class led by our guides.
Day 11 – ANCIENT ANDEAN CEREMONY + SUMMIT PUSH PREP
We will enjoy a slow morning of guided yoga with emphasis on awakening our muscles and the nervous system without tiring our muscles. We will also engage in a small shamanic ritual of The Andes in order to honor the path and the nature externally as well as within. This will help prepare us for tonight’s summit attempt. After yoga we will drive up the Cotopaxi and hike to the refuge. Here we will rest until around midnight, where we will start our summit attempt.
Day 12 – SUMMIT FOUR: CLIMB COTOPAXI VOLCANO
We will start our summit attempt around midnight from the refuge. With the moonlight and our headlamps paving the way in the darkness, we will climb Cotopaxi for around 5-7 hours before reaching the top at 19,347 ft. (5.897 m.) and then descending for around 2 hours back to the refuge. After climbing Cotopaxi we will drive back to the lodge in the warm valleys of Quito.
Day 13 – EXTRA SUMMIT DAY
Extra summit day
Day 14 – HASTA LUEGO
End of trip, we will say our goodbyes after an amazing adventure together.
Included in the trip
- Technical climbing equipment (harness, helmet, crampons, boots, ice-axe)
- Certified, English-speaking ASEGUIM/IFMGA guides for each ascent
- 4x yoga and breathwork classes
- 2x On-Ground Mountaineering classes
- 2x Glacier school sessions
- 9-10 nights in double rooms at lodges and haciendas
- 3-4 nights in shared rooms at mountain refuges
- All National Park Fees and Climbing Permits
- Transport and access to all mentioned adventures
- Airport Transfers
- 13x breakfasts, 12x lunches / box lunches, 13x dinners
- All mentioned activities
Not included: Airfare, Travel Insurance (required) & Tips 
