Andes Ecuador · climb

Cayambe guides

As of 6 October 2026, 1 guide has verified client reviews for Cayambe (6 reviews). Read more

Top guides for Cayambe, ranked by their reviews here: Climbing The Seven Summits (★ 4.9, 6 reviews). ExpedReview is a specialist review platform for high-altitude mountaineering. Every review is checked by our team before it's published, and guides cannot pay for a better rating.

Cayambe guides ranked by their reviews here

Ordered by each guide's verified reviews on Cayambe: the star rating, adjusted so one or two reviews, or only old ones, count for less than many recent ones. Ties go to the guide with more reviews on Cayambe. ERTI reflects a company's trustworthiness, reputation and ratings across the industry, and more. Out of 5, built from reviews we verify and many other factors. Not a rating for this place. Prices not updated in over a year are flagged; prices older than 3 years, and prices imported from the old site that the guide never edited, are hidden.

  1. 1. Climbing The Seven Summits

    ERTI 4.90 overall

    Based in United States

    ★ 4.9 · 6 reviews on Cayambe · Last review: Feb 2025

    Price: From $4,995 USD · guide-listed price for this location · last updated Dec 2025

Also serving Cayambe

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About Cayambe

Elevation
5,790 m (18,996 ft)
Country
Ecuador

Climbing history

First ascent by Edward Whymper in 1880. At 5,790m, Ecuador's third highest peak and the highest point on the equator. The only place on the equator with permanent snow. Located in Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve.

Notable itineraries

Normal Route/Southwest Face (1-2 days): Standard glacier route. Northwest Ridge: More technical option. Summit via Cayambe Refuge at 4,600m. Midnight start typical for stable snow conditions. Less crowded than Cotopaxi.

Weather and best time to go

Weather: Cayambe is well-known for having poor weather. The summit is frequently enshrouded by clouds, even during the dry season. Average daily temperatures at the base of the peak are usually around 13 ºC (55 ºF). These drop to well-below freezing as you ascend the volcano. The climbing season is also the driest time of year., Best Time to Visit: June to August, December to January, Average Expedition Length 2 days

Currency

US Dollar (USD) is Ecuador's official currency. ATMs in Cayambe town. Reserve entrance fee required. Refuge accommodation available. Budget $300-500 for guided climb.

Languages

Official: Spanish. Regional: Kichwa spoken in Cayambe area communities. English with guides. The Kayambi people are the traditional inhabitants of the region.

Latest reviews on Cayambe

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How to read this page

Rating: the average star rating of the guide's verified reviews for Cayambe, with the number of reviews. Order: by those reviews: the star rating, adjusted so one or two reviews, or only old ones, count for less than many recent ones; ties go to the guide with more reviews on Cayambe. Unclaimed: the company has not claimed its ExpedReview profile. Every review is checked by our team before it's published, and guides cannot pay for a better rating.

Recommended gear for Cayambe

Technical essentials picked for glaciated mountaineering. Recommended by our expert team.

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