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Climb the Avenue of Volcanoes: Follow the footsteps of Harmen Hoek and conquer 5 majestic peaks, including Cotopaxi and the mighty Chimborazo (6,263m).
Price: €3.250 / $3.795 per person
Trip date: November 1 – November 16, 2026
16 days
You watched Harmen take on the highest active volcanoes in the world. Now it’s your turn. Mountain Beat brings you the exact 17-day high-altitude expedition featured in the video, fully guided by certified local ASEGUIM/UIAGM experts.
15+ Years of Alpine & Expedition Excellence
Mountain Beat is a premier, Netherlands-based mountain guiding and expedition agency. For over 15 years, we have been guiding climbers, skiers, and adventurers safely to the highest summits of the European Alps, the Andes, and the Himalayas. Safety, top-tier local expertise (UIAGM guides), and small group sizes are at the core of everything we do.
🌐 Going Global: A Quick Note for Our International Guests You might notice that our main website is currently in Dutch. That is because we are actively working behind the scenes on launching our fully integrated English platform!
This Volcano Expedition is our very first officially launched international trip, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome climbers from all over the world. Rest assured: our booking process, documentation, and—most importantly—your entire expedition in Ecuador will be 100% in English.
Join our first international wave of mountaineers and let’s climb together!
Stand on Chimborazo, the furthest point from the Earth's center (closer to the stars than Everest!).
A carefully designed 17-day itinerary climbing 3 lower peaks first to ensure your safety and success.
Peer into the crater of Cotopaxi (5,897m), the world's highest active volcano.
Climb with small, elite rope teams. 1 guide per 2 climbers on the big peaks.
From airport transfers and premium city hotels to high camps and valley lodges (Hosteria PapaGayo) – we handle the details, you focus on the climb.
Duration: 16 Days
Max Altitude: 6,228m (Veintimilla Summit)
Group Size: 1 – 12 Climbers
Best Season June: September
Requirements: Excellent fitness, crampon experience (e.g., Mont Blanc / Kilimanjaro)
Upon arrival in Quito, the capital of Ecuador situated at an altitude of 2,850 meters, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel. You will stay in an excellent hotel (Hotel Mercure or similar) right in the city center.
Meals: –
This day is at your leisure to recover from the long flight and, most importantly, to adapt to the altitude. It gives you the perfect opportunity to explore Quito. The old colonial center, with its narrow streets, churches, and squares, is well worth a visit.
Meals: Breakfast
A second free day to explore Quito and its surroundings. We highly recommend using this day for active acclimatization. You can independently take various high-altitude hikes nearby. We can assist you in planning a route or arranging a local guide (costs not included).
Meals: Breakfast
Today, you head out with your guide to Pasochoa, an extinct volcano south of Quito. The climb is non-technical and serves as a perfect acclimatization hike. Moreover, it is one of the best places to spot the Andean Condor. Cougars, foxes, and exotic birds also inhabit the forested slopes. Afterwards, we drive to Hosteria PapaGayo, a comfortable lodge located 45 km south of Quito, which serves as our base camp.
Ascent: 556 m | Descent: 556 m | Duration: 3 – 5 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
From PapaGayo, a short drive takes you to the village of El Chaupi, the starting point for climbing El Corazon. The main goal of this climb is acclimatization rather than reaching the summit, though summiting is a wonderful bonus. The final plan depends on how fast the group adapts, general fitness, and local weather conditions.
Ascent: 1500 m | Descent: 1500 m | Duration: 5 – 7 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we climb Ilinizas Norte, one of the twin peaks of the Iliniza volcano. The north peak is “easier” than the south peak, but make no mistake: it will be a long and strenuous day! After a very early breakfast, we drive to the La Virgen parking lot (3,975 m). The rocky route offers spectacular views of Cotopaxi. After a 5-hour climb, you reach the summit. You descend via the same route (approx. 2 hours) and return to the lodge.
Ascent: 1226 m | Descent: 1226 m | Duration: 6 – 8 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After the intensive climbs of the past few days, it’s time for a more relaxed pace. Today you will visit Quilotoa, a volcanic crater lake with vibrant turquoise water. On the way, we can stop at the local markets of Saquisilí or Pujilí and pass through the Zumbahua Canyon. At Quilotoa, we will enjoy a scenic hike along the crater rim before returning to Hosteria PapaGayo.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will meet your guide to discuss the Cayambe strategy and check your gear. Following an early lunch, a 1-hour drive takes us to the Cayambe Ecological Reserve. From there, we hike for an hour to the Cayambe Refuge at 4,650 meters. After an early dinner, you will turn in early, as the summit push starts around midnight.
Ascent: 221 m | Descent: 0 m | Duration: 1 hour Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A full rest day to recuperate and gather strength before the Cotopaxi climb begins.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, a gear check and briefing take place. After an early lunch, we drive about an hour to the parking area at 4,500 meters. From here, a 2-hour hike brings us to the José Ribas Refuge at 4,810 meters. Early dinner and early sleep before the midnight departure.
Ascent: 310 m | Descent: 0 m | Duration: 2 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The summit push begins before midnight. Because Cotopaxi features crevasse fields and steeper sections ranging from 35 to 45 degrees, you will climb in small rope teams (1 guide per 2 climbers). After about 4 hours, you reach the summit at sunrise, offering incredible views into the active crater and across the snow-capped peaks of the “Avenue of the Volcanoes”. Descend in 2 hours and return to PapaGayo.
Ascent: 1028 m | Descent: 1345 m | Duration: 6 – 7 hours Meals: Breakfast
Time to unwind! A completely free day at PapaGayo to relax, sleep, and recover.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, you meet the guide and finalize your pack. The drive to Chimborazo National Park takes about two hours, followed by a 4×4 ride up to the Carrel Hut (4,800+ m). In the afternoon, we hike to High Camp at approximately 5,300 meters. We opt to camp here instead of staying at the hut to minimize the elevation gain on summit day. After a safety briefing and dinner, you will get a few hours of sleep before the climb starts at 23:00.
Ascent: 439 m | Descent: 0 m | Duration: 2 – 3 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Heading out before midnight, you will navigate a boulder field before hitting the glaciated ridge. The glacier averages a slope of 30 to 40 degrees, with sections of steep ice up to 45 degrees. After 6 to 8 hours of climbing, you reach the Veintimilla summit at 6,228 meters. (Note: Chimborazo’s Whymper summit is slightly higher, but current glacier conditions usually make it inaccessible). Descend in 2 to 3 hours to the Carrel Hut, where a 4WD awaits to take you to Riobamba, and onwards back to Quito.
Ascent: 1091 m | Descent: 1538 m | Duration: 9 – 10 hours Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home and end of the program.
Meals: Breakfast
Avalability:
12 spots
Price:
€3.250 / $3.795 per person
Trip date:
November 1 – November 16, 2026
"(mandatory)" geeft vereiste velden aan
An expedition is not something to rush. If you have any questions before booking please get in touch with us! We’re here to help you prepare for your next challenge.
Your adventure starts at
Mountain Beat
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