Duration:
15 Days
Duration:
15 Days
Group Size:
Up to 10
Accommodation:
High-End Lodges, Mountain Huts & Campsites
Difficulty:
Tough. Technical knowledge required.
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From 4 085$
INTERMEDIATE MOUNTAINEERING EXPEDITION DEPARTURE DATES
Saturday - August 2, 2025
To Saturday -August 16, 2025
$4085
Saturday - November 29, 2025
To Saturday - december 13, 2025
$4085
Intermediate Mountaineering Expedition Highlights
- Summit 4 technically demanding Andean volcanoes on this intermediate mountaineering expedition ranging from 14,000 ft (4.260 m.) to 18,996 ft. (5.790 m.)
- Advanced Glacier School Sessions & Rock-Climbing Lessons with expert guides to improve your technical climbing skills
- Support Local Women. This is not just a regular expedition, but a pivotal stepping stone not only for you as an upcoming mountaineer, but also for Andean women towards becoming certified mountain guides.
- Participate in an ancient Andean ritual honoring Pachamama at the foot of the majestic Antisana volcano and learn about her significance to the local people of Ecuador
- Optional extension to attempt the summit of the highest point on Planet Earth: Chimborazo 20,571 ft. (6.270 m.)
- 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.
Intermediate Mountaineering Expedition
Are you looking to take your mountaineering skills to the next level? Then look no further, this intermediate mountaineering expedition in the Ecuadorian Andes will make sure of it!
On this truly off the beaten track alpine mountain climbing adventure around the stunning Ecuadorian Andes we will climb some of the lessor known routes and peaks of the Andes with climbing grades up to D+. This 15-day itinerary is packed with learning and opportunities to grow as an alpine mountain climbing athlete; both technically, physically, mentally and spiritually.
You'll get to learn more than you would in any traditional intermediate mountaineering course and feel a sense of empowerment with each new skill acquired, as well as a deep connection to Pachamama, as her presence surrounds you. Sharing laughter and stories around the crackling lodge fireplace, you'll forge bonds with fellow adventurers that will warm your heart. And when night falls, the infinite stars will be your canopy, a humbling reminder of the vastness of the world. This journey isn't just about mountaineering; it's a tapestry of moments that will awaken your senses and leave you with a renewed spirit. Welcome to the heart of the Andes, where every sensation is an invitation to grow, connect, and thrive. Climb with us, make a difference and Come Back Different. Let’s get stoked!
Intermediate Mountaineering 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!
Our intermediate mountaineering trip offers a unique blend of hands-on learning in the field combined with the opportunity to explore the stunning Ecuadorian Andes. You’ll gain practical experience equivalent to a structured course while immersing yourself in a new cultural setting and supporting local women of the Andes.
Our climbs are strategically chosen to provide a range of challenges, allowing you to apply and reinforce your newfound skills in real-world, high-altitude conditions—something a classroom setting can’t replicate. The Ecuadorian Andes are the perfect place to practice real alpinism and enjoy unspilt naure since you won’t find big crowds of people nor fixed ropes or helicopters soaring above every 15 minutes. This is where true adventure still exists.
On this intermediate mountaineering expedition you’ll receive comprehensive training in essential mountaineering skills, including knot tying, anchor construction, crevasse rescue, rock climbing techniques, and advanced ice and snow climbing skills. Our experienced guides provide hands-on instruction every step of the way.
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.
Absolutely. Our guides are dedicated to your growth and will provide ongoing feedback and individualized coaching to help you reach your full potential as a mountaineer during this expedition.
You’ll experience a noticeable improvement in your mountaineering abilities, from knot proficiency to advanced climbing techniques. By the end of the trip, you’ll have a solid foundation for further mountaineering adventures such as Alpamayo, Huascaran and Chopicalqui in Peru or 7-8.000 meter peaks in the Himalayas.
Antisana is a remote and technical challenge, and we’ll establish our own tent-based basecamp at the foot of the mountain, but we will be able to drive in 4×4 trucks all the way to the basecamp. Iliniza Sur has a mountain hut nestled below the two peaks of Norte and Sur. Antisana holds a very dynamic glacier which means that the route changes constantly, so the challenges ahead are unpredictable. Some days the route can be quite straightforward while other days it will entail vertical wall ice-climbing and lots of rappelling. On this trip we go by the more challenging Celso Zuquillo route on Iliniza Sur which means mixed climbing in both rock and ice.
When booking with us, we provide a detailed packing list. You’ll need your own personal gear such as harness, helmet, crampons, ice-axes, rock climbing shoes, carabiners, belaying devices, slings and appropriate clothing.
Accommodations will vary from mountain huts and tent-based basecamps to comfortable lodges, providing a mix of rustic charm and modern amenities to ensure a restful night’s sleep.
We take care of all the logistics, including transportation, accommodations, permits, and meals, allowing you to focus solely on the climbing experience.
We intentionally keep our groups small (max 10) to ensure individualized attention and safety. When climbing our Guide:Client ratio is 1:2. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to interact with guides and fellow climbers.
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 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.
Yoga and breathwork
During this intermediate mountaineering expedition 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 within the sport of mountaineering and positively affect the chances of summiting.
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 Intermediate Mountaineering Experience will make sure to bring you together through our common passion: The Mountains.
Who is this intermediate mountaineering expedition for?
This intermediate mountaineering expedition is for men and women (some departures will be women only) from all over the world, who are fairly experienced mountain climbers. We ask that you be in great physical shape and only request to participate on this trip if you meet the mountaineering pre-requisites as described below. Prior winter, altitude, rock climbing and alpine mountain climbing experience is required.
Our definition of ‘prior winter, rock climbing and alpine mountain climbing experience:
– Excellent roped climbing, crampon and ice-axe skills.
– Crampon skills for at least 50-degree slopes and Ice-axe self-arrest
– Excellent rock-climbing skills: Grade 6a / 5.10’s +
– Experience with altitudes up to 14,000 feet, however 15,000 is strongly recommended
– Knowledge of and experience with some knots and slings
– Experience with belaying and running belay
– Knowledge of crevasse rescue
– Must be able to carry at least 35 lbs.
– Experience with summit days that exceed 10-12 hours
– Excellent physical shape, which means carefully planned training for at least two months before departure is necessary.
Where?
On this intermediate mountaineering expedition we will be staying at a cozy lodge located near Quito, with picturesque views of the valleys. Picture a rustic, unpretentious, charming and very comfortable lodge with a crackling fireplace and big living spaces both indoor and outdoor. Your base around Quito will be a beautiful and quiet family-owned lodge in the lush valleys. The perfect place to unwind in tranquil, safe and 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. To access Antisana we will put up our own tents and form a basecamp at the foot of the mountain. Sleep underneath the stars and wake up to the tranquil silence of the dramatic peaks right in front of you – this is truly what we call a 5-star (or actually infinite number of stars) accommodation.
Itinerary for the expedition
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: 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 yet only a few minutes away from the bubbling Cumbaya area which is full of great restaurants and bars.
Day 2 – ILALÓ ACCLIMATIZATION HIKE
Today we will go on a beautiful hike towards the top of the Ilaló volcano. But it won’t be a hike like any other, we will be accompanied by Fanny who is indigenous from this area and who will tell us about the flora fauna and stories of this beautiful mountain along the way.
Day 3 – ROCK CLIMBING + YOGA
We will spend the day fine-tuning our rope and rock-climbing skills at a cool, isolated climbing spot surrounded by nature in the valleys of Quito. After climbing we will return to the lodge for 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 4 – ROCK CLIMBING ABOVE QUITO
Early in the morning we will drive up the Pichincha mountain towering over Quito and practice our rock-climbing skills at the walls of Guagua Pichincha. After climbing we will stay at the refuge up there before climbing the integral of Los Pichinchas next day.
Day 5 – INTEGRAL DE LOS PICHINCHAS
Today we will do the integral of Los Pichinchas. We will summit the four peaks of the Pichincha Massif towering over Quito which are Guagua Pichincha at 15,669 ft. (4.776 m.), Padre Encantado at 15,055 ft. (4.589 m.), Cerro Ladrillos at 14,977 ft. (4.565 m.) and Rucu Pichincha at 15,406 ft. (4.696 m.).
The integral climb itself is around 13 km and takes about 6-8 hours roundtrip. After climbing we will return to the lodge for a slow, guided yoga session focusing on stretching, releasing tension and unwinding mind as well as body followed by a Pranayama session focusing on optimal performance through breathwork.
Day 6 – HIKE TO ILINIZAS REFUGE
After breakfast we will drive to Los Ilinizas Ecological Reserve and park at 12,792 ft. (3.900 m.) From here we will gather our stuff and hike to the mountain refuge Nuevos Horizontes at 15,420 ft. (4.700 m.) At the refuge we will rest, have dinner and go to sleep early before we set out for the summit of Iliniza Sur in the night. Los Ilinizas consist of two mountains: Iliniza Norte and Iliniza Sur. They used to be one whole volcano with their own crater, but with time they split into two beautiful peaks, which both make for awesome climbing. Iliniza Norte is an easier climb and has no glacier while Iliniza Sur has glacier and is known to be a steep and somewhat technical climb.
Day 7 – ILINIZA SUR SUMMIT ATTEMPT
We will wake up early and get some light food around 2 am. When the clock strikes 3 am we will start our ascent of the technical Iliniza Sur mountain with its 17,267 ft. (5.263 m.) In order to make use of our rock-climbing practices along the trip we will be going by the challenging Celso Zuquillo route which involves both rock and mixed climbing. Reaching the top will take us around 5-6 hours of climbing. On a clear day we will enjoy magnificent views of the Avenue of volcanoes around us from the summit – especially of the active Cotopaxi volcano not too far away. After the summit we will descend back down to the refuge by the normal route, which will take us around 3 hours. Back at the refuge we will enjoy a nice breakfast before heading all the way back down to the parking lot. After a long and epic day we will drive up north to a beautiful, old hacienda close to the magnificent Cayambe volcano. Here we will have dinner and rest after a long day.
Day 8 – REST DAY
Today is all about resting and enjoying the amazing scenery and facilities at the hacienda.
Day 9 – GLACIER SCHOOL SESSION ONE
After an early breakfast we will drive up Cayambe to the refuge and hike from here to the glacier where we will do an advanced Glacier School to practice technical skills on the mountain. After the glacier school we will rest at the refuge which sits at 15,092 ft. (4.600 m) and offers the most panoramic views of the Ecuadorian Avenue of Volcanoes.
Day 10 – GLACIER SCHOOL SESSION TWO
Today we will go up the mountain once again for another session of advanced glacier school. We will stay at the refuge after this and prepare our equipment for the climb in the night.
Day 11 – CAYAMBE SUMMIT ATTEMPT
Around midnight we will start our summit attempt of the stunning Cayambe volcano. The climb takes around 6-7 hours to the summit at 18,896 ft. (5.790 m.) and the descent back to the refuge around 2-3 hours. After climbing we will drive back down to rest at the lodge in the warm valleys of Quito.
Day 12 – REST DAY + YOGA
Today is a rest day at the lodge. We will be chilling in the beautiful surroundings and also enjoy a guided session of yoga focusing on stretching and unwinding after yesterday’s strenuous climb. Followed by a moving meditation in order to release tension.
Day 13 – ANTISANA VOLCANO BASECAMP
We will drive up north to the Antisana Ecological Reserve, set up basecamp at the foot of the mountain and relax in the pristine surroundings. We will enjoy a guided yoga session in front of the majestic volcano focusing on awakening the muscles, the nervous system and the organism. It will prepare us for tonight’s climb without tiring out our muscles. We will also engage in a small, ancient Andes ritual in order to enter the reign of Antisana this night with clear personal intentions while honoring the nature the path and the self. Tonight, we will be climbing under millions of stars.
Day 14 – ANTISANA SUMMIT ATTEMPT
Around midnight we will start our summit attempt of the very demanding Antisana volcano at 18,891 ft. (5.758 m.). Antisana is Ecuador’s 4th highest volcano, but one of the least climbed due to its difficulty. The climb usually takes between 6-8 hours and the descent around 3 hours. After the climb we will drive back to get some well-deserved rest at the lodge.
Day 15 – HASTA LUEGO
End of trip, we will say our goodbyes after an amazing adventure together. (Rest day if with extension)
Optional Chimborazo Extension (+520 USD Per Person (at least 2 pax))
Extension itinerary:
- Chimborazo High Camp
- Chimborazo Summit
Included in the trip
- All National Park Fees and Climbing Permits
- Certified, English-speaking ASEGUIM/IFMGA guides for each ascent
- 4x yoga and breathwork classes
- 2x Advanced Glacier School Sessions
- 1 night sleeping under the stars in a tent-based basecamp
- 4 nights in shared rooms at mountain refuges
- 9 nights in double rooms at lodges and haciendas
- Camping and cooking equipment for basecamps
- Transport and access to all mentioned adventures
- Airport Transfers
- 14x breakfasts, 13x lunches / box lunches, 14x dinners
- All mentioned activities
Not included: Airfare, Travel Insurance (required) & Tips
