Chimborazo Volcano day trip from Guayaquil: Hike to two refuges

Walk two mountain refuges on Ecuador's highest peak

A day trip from Guayaquil to Chimborazo Volcano includes hotel pickup, a stop at Balbanera Church, entrance to the Chimborazo Wildlife Production Reserve, a guided walk from the Hermanos Carriel Refuge at 4,850 meters to the Whymper Refuge at 5,000 meters, lunch at a traditional restaurant, and return transport to your hotel. The walk is not strenuous but moves at the pace of the group. Multilingual guides speak English and Spanish, and children from age 4 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chimborazo Volcano and Balbanera Church Tour

• Pick up at hotel at 4:00 AM
• Travel to Chimborazo Wildlife Production Reserve
• Stop at Balbanera Church for sightseeing
• Optional breakfast at nearby restaurant
• Continue to Hermanos Carriel Refuge (4,850 m)
• Walk to Whymper Refuge (5,000 m)
• Take photos at the refuge
• Have typical lunch at traditional restaurant
• Return to Guayaquil and end tour

The experience

Pickup happens at 4:00 AM from your Guayaquil hotel, and the drive heads toward the Chimborazo Wildlife Production Reserve in Chimborazo province. The first stop is Balbanera Church, built nearly on the shores of Colta Lagoon with a square used for indigenous gatherings and Chimborazo rising behind it. A restaurant at the church offers optional breakfast before the group continues toward the volcano.

The vehicle arrives at the Hermanos Carriel Refuge, which sits at 4,850 meters above sea level. From there, the group walks upward to the Whymper Refuge at 5,000 meters. The ascent is not heavy, and the pace adjusts to the group. Time is built in for photographs at the refuges. Chimborazo is the point on Earth furthest from the planet's center, with an altitude of 6,263.47 meters. The walk reaches partway up this massive peak, which last erupted around A.D. 550.

After the walk, a typical lunch happens at a traditional restaurant in the area. The return to Guayaquil and drop-off at your hotel closes the day. The whole tour runs 12 to 15 hours from pickup to return.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Guayaquil.
• professional multilingual guide in English or Spanish.
• entrance to Chimborazo Wildlife Production Reserve.
• lunch at a traditional restaurant.
• transportation to and from the volcano.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 34 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Perfect Destiny

Is this one for you?The 12- to 15-hour commitment means an early 4:00 AM start and a full day on the road and at altitude, leaving little room for other Guayaquil activities that day, but it fits the volcano and both refuges into a single departure without an overnight stay in the highlands.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is Balbanera Church and why is it on this tour?

Balbanera Church sits nearly on the shores of Colta Lagoon in a square used for indigenous gatherings, with Chimborazo as its backdrop. It is the first stop after pickup, giving the group a cultural landmark and a chance for breakfast before heading to the volcano.

How high do we walk on Chimborazo?

The walk goes from the Hermanos Carriel Refuge at 4,850 meters to the Whymper Refuge at 5,000 meters above sea level. The ascent is not strenuous and moves at the pace of the group.

What makes Chimborazo special compared to other mountains?

Chimborazo is Ecuador's highest volcano and mountain at 6,263.47 meters, and it is the point on Earth furthest from the center of the planet. Its last known eruption occurred around A.D. 550.

Is breakfast included, and what about lunch?

Breakfast is optional and available at the restaurant near Balbanera Church. Lunch is included and served at a traditional restaurant in the area after the walk.