Best Chimborazo Climbing Guides 2025

Epic experience climbing Chimborazo with Andean Summit Adventure! Jaime is one of the best guides I’ve ever had and Elisabeth made the process absolutely seamless despite me calling to book the climb only 5 days before. Thank you for answering my numerous questions, giving acclimatization tips, and making sure everything went smoothly.

Due to my tight schedule I urgently contacted this company for Cayambe climb. However, Elisabeth said all their excellent guides were already booked so they couldn't provide a guide at that time. Instead, I booked Chimborazo climb with this company for another day. Foolishly, I went to Cayambe first with another guide from a different company and had a terrible experience. After that I understood why Andean Summit Adventure insists on providing only the best guides even if it means losing immediate profit. The company's high ratings prove this. My experience climbing Chimborazo with guide Jaime was one of the most valuable lessons in my life. He is not only an excellent mountain guide but also a good person. Every moment with him was enjoyable. In the middle of the climb I felt a little exhausted and the cold strong winds made me afraid to continue. After talking to Jaime, we decided to give up. We took a few steps down and at that moment Jaime said "Let's try again for the summit". His words gave me the determination so we turned around and reached the summit together in a few hours. Later, I asked him why. He said he saw strength in my steps. Jaime is the person who encouraged me to overcome my limits when I was easily ready to quit. After the climb I told him he had changed my life. Don't choose just any guide for a small difference in cost. It can determine whether you reach the summit or not. The experience of climbing Ecuador's highest peaks can bring great insights and a sense of accomplishment. Even choosing a tour company can be a significant decision in your life. Many thanks to Elisabeth for handling communication, Katty for managing equipment rental and to our wonderful guide Jaime!

We would like to take a moment and give our Gratitude to Andean Summit Adventure. It’s taken a week to write this review because I wanted to find the best words that I could to write a 5 star review. Paulina and I had been in touch with Elisabeth for over a year prior to our trip. She was very attentive and knowledgeable. She answered the million question we had for her as well. Elisabeth put us both at ease that we had chosen the best guiding service to take us to the summit of Chimborazo. At Andean Summit Adventure, they make you feel not like clients but family and people that you can call friends. We did the 8 day trip, this included climbing Ruco Pacincha 4,696m, Iliniza Norte 5,127m, Cotopaxi 5,897m and last but not least Chimborazo 6,270m. With Andean Summit Adventure safety and the well being of the people comes first before anything. This was an incredible touch that really made us feel that they cared and had our best interests in mind. After planning and training to climb Chimborazo for two years Andean Summit Adventure made this happen. With Elisabeth’s knowledge of all the mountains and great organizations she matched us up with Jaime our Guide. He is a top grade guide with lots of experience to help you succeed. I would not hesitate for a second to use them again to climb in Ecuador or other countries for that matter. Much regards, Project Chimborazo: The Climb to Inspire Kevin Mallia

My husband and I booked with Andean Summit and Adventure to climb 4 mountains in Ecuador's highlands....best decision ever!!! Right from the beginning, I knew both Elizabeth and Jaime were personalble and super caring. We summitted successfully Rucu Pichincha and Iliniza Norte. We reached about 100m to the glacier of Cotopaxi and had to turn around due to unsafe weather conditions. I had suffered altitude sickness and wasn't able to summit Chimborazo, but all throughout the 8 day accilmitization process, Jaime always had a plan for me so I could see the other summits throughout successfully. We could not ask for a better guide and mountaineering tour company. 5 stars all the wayyyyy👏🏽💯🤗 You guys rock❤️ Paulina Jimenez

Elisabeth, always extremely helpful, beyond any immagination. A professional "angel". We did seven summits with them with 100% success rate (Ruminahui Central, Corazon, Illiniza Norte, Illiniza Sur, Antisana, Cayambe, Chimborazo)! I definitely feel like I must give them my highest recommendation. Jaime Vargas, UIAGM international guide, took us on several interesting and challenging routes, which made the experience unforgettable. A great professional and became immediately a true friend. It has been simply fabulous climbing, Jaime being always able to motivate and encourage, keeping myself in comfort zone, with professionalism and reliability. Are you thinking at living an adventure in Ecuador? Choose Andean Summit Adventure! It will be the best decision you can make. Their business? Make dreams come true and fill your heart and mind with super, superb, positive feelings and unforgettable memories!

We had a great experience with Andean Summit Adventure. Organization and logistics were very good, all questions and requests answered and addressed immediately. We had a great time with our guide Diego who was super friendly and at the same time very experienced and professional. We felt better than at home. We’ve climbed Cayambe however not Chimborazo but this was related to dangerous snow conditions and had nothing to do with guiding. If you consider Andean Summit Adventure services I can only recommend it. And by the way - Ecuador and it’s volcanoes are fantastic place to visit and climb.

Just finished a great climb up Illinizas Norte and Chimborazo arranged by Andean Summit Adventures (ASA), and it was wonderful (we were fortunate that the mountain spirits allowed us to summit both). Andean Summit is a very professional company, and my guide - Jaime Vargas - is a great fellow, and very experienced in these mountains. And believe me, you need this for these climbs, particularly Chimborazo. With his safety focus, Jaime is just the sort of fellow you want to be attached to going up Chimborazo!! Chimborazo is Beauty and the Beast -- it is spectacular, both from a distance, and from on its slopes. But it is also a beast, in the challenges and perils it presents to we humans. There is a real risk of injury or death on this mountain. Thus, it is essential to have an guide experienced on this mountain. Andean Summit has the right stuff. Happy climbing.

I climbed Tungurahua together with Jaime in November as a preparation for successful attempts to climb both Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. The trip was perfectly organized by Elisabeth and Jaime did a great job as a guide. My girlfriend just went to the refuge and did not go for the summit, but she had a great time anyway. I would absolutely recommend Andean Summit Adventure and I hope that I can do some further tours in Ecuador in the future with them!

You guys are the best and the level of professionalism you bring to the climbing world is un-matched!! Andean Summit Adventure is a very good (One of the best) for climbing in South America. Safety is a top priority while pushing for the summit. Jaime helped me get to the summit of both Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. What a great experience!!!!!!!!!

I had the pleasure during the last two weeks of climbing some mountains with Andean Summit Adventures. This was a great experience. The planning & communication up front with Elisabeth was perfect. The response time was very quick and she was always trying to fulfill my needs & wishes. The climbing with Jaime was fantastic. He has excellent knowledge and vast experience in the mountains. He always made sure I was well and whenever possible that we reach the summit. Out of 7 summits I made 6 (Antisana unfortunately not because of a heavy snow storm). We also did not so well known mountains like Sincholagua, a very beautiful & interesting mountain with some climbing in the end. During the ascent we had very heavy storms, but we continued. And finally we got to the summit with no wind. A great experience! And thanks to Jaime I could also climb Cotopaxi as he changed the schedule because of the weather conditions. He heard that all the nights before nobody reached the summit and everybody turned around. So we decided short-term to do a daylight ascent (which under some circumstances you can do) to have at least a chance with the actual weather conditions. And we reached the summit! This kind of analysis & flexibility is also the strength of Andean Summit Adventures. And then of course we also climbed the Chimborazo!

I would highly recommend Andean Summit Adventures to anyone considering summiting the high peaks of Ecuador.  I used their services 4 separate times to climb Cayambe, Cotopaxi (twice), and Chimborazo while living in Ecuador for three months in 2019/2020. I successfully summited all 4 attempts, thanks in part to the amazing guides Andean Summit Adventures works with.  I used 4 guides with the company (Paul, Manuel, Fabian and Diego), all were incredibly capable guides who not only know the mountains but who also are fun to talk with and learn from. Each guide was also great at making each mountain a personalized approach to ensure that the pace and style fit what I needed to make it to the top. Also, while not necessarily part of the guiding services, I had a lot of fun talking with my driver for three of the climbs (Rigoberto) and learning about the history, culture, and flora/fauna of Ecuador. I would recommend him if you need a driver in country. Last, Elisabeth really does pull everything together in the best way possible, as others have mentioned. She answered all my questions promptly, helped me with gear rental and training suggestions, and even helped with rescheduling a climb after I got unexpectedly sick the night before. She was organized, helpful, and in communication throughout the whole process. I did a lot of research on guiding options in Ecuador, and based on my experience am confident that Andean Summit Adventures is one of the best.

In January 2019 we went summit hunting in Ecuador for around 2 weeks with Andean Summit Adventure. Pasochoa, Rucu Pichincha, Ilinizia Norte and Sur, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo were our destinations. The entire tour was perfectly planned from A to Z and tailored to us with a good mix of mountaineering and rest days, which were necessary for such a program. The care left nothing to be desired. You could contact the organizer with any questions or requests and you would always receive an open ear and they would always ask if everything was okay. We were also able to make a small change to the program and add Ilinizia Sur to the program at our own request, as well as adding a few days at the end of the trip to enjoy Ecuador a little more. The mountain tours to the various peaks were led perfectly, conscientiously and safely by the mountain guides, initially Fabian and then Jaime (the boss himself). This is also why we were able to successfully climb all the peaks. I and my partner can therefore only recommend this organizer. Many thanks again to Elisabeth and Jaime for the unforgettable adventure!!

I hired Andean Summit Adventure to attempt the ascent of Chimborazo. From email communication with Elizabeth to reaching the summit with Jaime, everything went perfectly. They respond very quickly, they look for solutions, they are very flexible with the dates, they even helped me with the high mountain equipment because I had nothing to climb. It is a very professional agency. I recommend them without a doubt.

My husband and I booked with Andean Summit and Adventure to climb 4 mountains in Ecuador's highlands....best decision ever!!! Right from the beginning, I knew both Elizabeth and Jaime were personalble and super caring. We summitted successfully Rucu Pichincha and Iliniza Norte. We reached about 100m to the glacier of Cotopaxi and had to turn around due to unsafe weather conditions. I had suffered altitude sickness and wasn't able to summit Chimborazo, but all throughout the 8 day accilmitization process, Jaime always had a plan for me so I could see the other summits throughout successfully. We could not ask for a better guide and mountaineering tour company. 5 stars all the wayyyyy👏🏽💯🤗

This was a 10 Star Experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We would like to take a moment and give our Gratitude to Andean Summit Adventure. It’s taken a week to write this review because I wanted to find the best words that I could to write a 5 star review. Paulina and I had been in touch with Elisabeth for over a year prior to our trip. She was very attentive and knowledgeable. She answered the million question we had for her as well. Elisabeth put us both at ease that we had chosen the best guiding service to take us to the summit of Chimborazo. At Andean Summit Adventure, they make you feel not like clients but family and people that you can call friends. We did the 8 day trip, this included climbing Ruco Pacincha 4,696m, Iliniza Norte 5,127m, Cotopaxi 5,897m and last but not least Chimborazo 6,270m. With Andean Summit Adventure safety and the well being of the people comes first before anything. This was an incredible touch that really made us feel that they cared and had our best interests in mind. After planning and training to climb Chimborazo for two years Andean Summit Adventure made this happen. With Elisabeth’s knowledge of all the mountains and great organizations she matched us up with Jaime our Guide. He is a top grade guide with lots of experience to help you succeed. I would not hesitate for a second to use them again to climb in Ecuador or other countries for that matter. Much regards, Project Chimborazo: The Climb to Inspire Kevin Mallia

Andean Summit Adventure insists on providing only the best guides even if it means losing immediate profit. The company's high ratings prove this. My experience climbing Chimborazo with guide Jaime was one of the most valuable lessons in my life. He is not only an excellent mountain guide but also a good person. Every moment with him was enjoyable. Don't choose just any guide for a small difference in cost. It can determine whether you reach the summit or not. The experience of climbing Ecuador's highest peaks can bring great insights and a sense of accomplishment. Even choosing a tour company can be a significant decision in your life.

Amazing time in Ecuador summiting Cayambe & Chimborazo! The acclimatization part of the trip climbing other mountains such as Pasochoa, Rumiñahui and Cotopaxi glacier worked great and made the whole program very interesting. Jamie is a very skilled mountain guide and pleasant person to hang out with. Communication in English was always easy with both Jamie and Elisabeth. I highly recommend Andean Summit Adventure to anyone looking to climb the Ecuadorian volcanoes in good hands.

Elisabeth, always extremely helpful, beyond any immagination. A professional "angel". We reached seven summits with 100% success rate (Ruminahui Central, Corazon, Illiniza Norte, Illiniza Sur, Antisana, Cayambe, Chimborazo)! I definitely feel like I must give them my highest recommendation. Jaime Vargas, UIAGM international guide, took us on several interesting and challenging routes, which made the experience unforgettable. A great professional and became immediately a true friend. It has been simply fabulous climbing, Jaime being always able to motivate and encourage, keeping myself in comfort zone, with professionalism and reliability. Are you thinking at living an adventure in Ecuador? Choose Andean Summit Adventure! It will be the best decision you can make. Their business? Make dreams come true and fill your heart and mind with super, superb, positive feelings and unforgettable memories!

We had the perfect trip and experience with Andean Summit Adventures. We climbed on Iliniza Norte, Cayambe and Chimborazo with Jaime - the best guide in Ecuador. Jaime made the car rides fun, the meals interesting and the climbs safe and extremely enjoyable. It really stood out that he was extremely respected amongst the other guides and a real authority in the mountains. The organization team around Eilsabeth were at our help at all times (including advice for equipment and acclimatization planning which was particularly important for us as beginners). This made our Ecuadorian climbing experience as smooth as possible. The strongest recommendation for Andean Summit Adventures for your climbing experiences in Ecuador from Germany!

I have unforgettable experience with Andean Summit Adventure during two days climbing trip to Chimborazo. Thanks to experienced and professional support of Jaime I have done my own altitude record (6,230 meters).

Fantastic experience. Elizabeth was professional and well organized. Easily changed our summit attempt on Cotopaxi to Cayambe after Cotopaxi closed due to volcanic activity. Jaime was the best. We climbed multiple different peaks ending on the summit of Chimborazo ! Will definitely be back. Thank you for putting together such an amazing trip and experience for us!

Our objective was to have fun, acclimate gradually and climb at least one major volcano in Ecuador over a two week period. Andean Summit Adventures was exceptional in all facets of our trip, communicating frequently, responding promptly and maintaining contact throughout. Elizabeth is both highly organized and personally experienced. Our guide, Jaime, was our constant companion, mentor, teacher and leader as we progressed through a series of higher and more challenging hikes and summit scrambles. This culminated in a beautiful, blue bird, alpine ascent of Cotopaxi, which was an unforgettable experience. Recent, significant snow presented an avalanche danger on Chimborazo so we only went up to high camp (17,700’). We met almost every type of weather imaginable in a stunning trip through a beautiful country. Muchas gracias para todos, Jaime and Elizabeth!

Just finished a great climb up Illinizas Norte and Chimborazo arranged by Andean Summit Adventures (ASA), and it was wonderful (we were fortunate that the mountain spirits allowed us to summit both). Andean Summit is a very professional company, and my guide - Jaime Vargas - is a great fellow, and very experienced in these mountains. And believe me, you need this for these climbs, particularly Chimborazo. With his safety focus, Jaime is just the sort of fellow you want to be attached to going up Chimborazo!! Chimborazo is Beauty and the Beast -- it is spectacular, both from a distance, and from on its slopes. But it is also a beast, in the challenges and perils it presents to we humans. There is a real risk of injury or death on this mountain. Thus, it is essential to have an guide experienced on this mountain. Andean Summit has the right stuff.

Andean Summit Adventure is a top level company with top level service. Elisabeth helped me customize my trip so that I could accomplish all of my goals. This is the best value that can be found when climbing in South America!!!!! I can not stress enough how helpful and professional she is. On the climbing side, Jaime, is equally as impressive! He helped me learn new climbing techniques while keeping me safe. He is a professional among professionals. It is also comforting that every where we went people know him and would ask him all types of questions. Obviously others value his expertise too! With his guidance we summitted both Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. Thank you Jaime!!!!!!!!

Jaime and Elisabeth made an excellent team coordinating and guiding my climbs up to Pasachoa, Iliniza Norte, Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo. Thanks to Jaime's guidance and climbing pace, I was able to summit all four peaks without feeling winded or succumb to altitude. Elisabeth goes the extra mile, promptly answering all questions and consistently stays in touch to make sure clients are safe and satisfied with their services. There are many qualified guides in Ecuador, but Andean Summit Adventures is without a doubt the best option to take when climbing in the Andes. After searching the internet and reading reviews, I'm pretty sure you'll come to the same conclusion. The mountains themselves were stunningly beautiful and easily worth the trip from Oregon to Ecuador, but proper acclimatization, especially for Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, is a must. Out of three rope teams, my guide and I were the only ones to summit Chimborazo, and I suspect the reason was due to inadequate acclimatization.

I can't say enough about Andean Summit Adventures. Elisabeth was terrific setting everything up, dealing with our changes in plans and people, and advising us throughout on an itinerary that made sense. The guides Jaime, Manuel, Israel, and William were highly capable, appropriately cautious about conditions, and great fun to spend time with. We climbed Iliniza Norte, Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo. All the arrangements went like clockwork, from our first pick-up in Quito to the lodges, refuges, and climbs, till the final drop-off after Chimborazo. I highly recommend Andean Summit Adventures to anyone looking for a first-class experience in Ecuador and beyond.

I climbed Tungurahua together with Jaime in November as a preparation for successful attempts to climb both Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. The trip was perfectly organized by Elisabeth and Jaime did a great job as a guide. My girlfriend just went to the refuge and did not go for the summit, but she had a great time anyway. I would absolutely recommend Andean Summit Adventure and I hope that I can do some further tours in Ecuador in the future with them!

I had the pleasure during the last two weeks of climbing some mountains with Andean Summit Adventures. This was a great experience. The planning & communication up front with Elisabeth was perfect. The response time was very quick and she was always trying to fulfill my needs & wishes. The climbing with Jaime was fantastic. He has excellent knowledge and vast experience in the mountains. He always made sure I was well and whenever possible that we reach the summit. Out of 7 summits I made 6 (Antisana unfortunately not because of a heavy snow storm). We also did not so well known mountains like Sincholagua, a very beautiful & interesting mountain with some climbing in the end. During the ascent we had very heavy storms, but we continued. And finally we got to the summit with no wind. A great experience! And thanks to Jaime I could also climb Cotopaxi as he changed the schedule because of the weather conditions. He heard that all the nights before nobody reached the summit and everybody turned around. So we decided short-term to do a daylight ascent (which under some circumstances you can do) to have at least a chance with the actual weather conditions. And we reached the summit! This kind of analysis & flexibility is also the strength of Andean Summit Adventures. And then of course we also climbed the Chimborazo!

Andean Summit Adventure arranged for me to climb Chimborazo in December of 2017. Elizabeth (who is Austrian) provided well informed advice (in fluent english) about the requisite gear and acclimatization, and made all of the arrangements. My one-on-one guide was Manuel, who was strong, encouraging, and very pleasant to be with. Our summit attempt was aborted at 4 am at an elevation of 5800 meters due to avalanche potential. Notwithstanding, I was thrilled to learn that I was capable of completing this climb - and am looking forward to coming back and doing so - with Andean Summit Adventure, of course.

Jaime and Elisabeth know what they're doing, and it resulted in an excellent trip. I had a wonderful time climbing with Jaime. He is a great guide and an expert climber. We made all of our objectives: Cayambe, Iliniza Sur, and Chimborazo. Elisabeth is very nice, and she did a great job coordinating everything. The chocolate cake was amazing, too.

Since I started planning my trip to Ecuador, an alpine climb had always been in my mind. If I was going to do it I might as well go for the big one in Chimborazo! The trouble was I hadn't done anything like this before and I didn't have much of the gear either. I emailed Andean Summit Adventures on the back of some of the reviews here and I wasn't disappointed. Elisabeth replied promptly to all my emails and answered all my questions and doubts very professionally. They were able to supply anything I was missing for a small extra cost and I was reassured by their professionalism. Jaime led us on the ascent and Paul was great as my guide. The climb was one of the toughest physical things I have ever done but it was absolutely worth it to stand on the top of the world (we made it!). Elisabeth and Jaime were available to help or answer any questions at every step. I felt in very safe hands. They are also lovely people and were great to chat to. If I am back in this part of the world again I would definitely take on another summit with them.

Climbed Cayambe and Chimborazo with Jaime in February, 2017. Everything that he provided was superb - excellent knowledge about the mountians and snow conditions and about ecuador in general. Where it seemed that some other guides were looking for reasons to turned their clients around, Jaime was actively working for us to succeed and we did. Really a great guy and highly recommended for your Ecuador adventure!

Climbed Chimborazo and Cayambe with Jaime and Patricio in February. Very professional climbing guides (both have done Aconcagua many times over). Everything was organized on the highest level, food, transport, lodging. Mountain huts are in superb conditions. Endless Andes with beautiful mountain peaks. Quito is gorgeous, you will start acclimatizing on the street of town. Ecuador has a lot to show for . You will get the jungles the mountain and almost a thousand miles of a shore line. And of course the Galapagos. Everything is in the palm of your hand. Currently negotiating my second trip to Ecuador for acclimatization purposes for Aconcagua climb with Jaime.

I've been sitting on this review for the past week, as I've been processing some post-trip depression. The reason for this depression is due to the quality of connection and experiences had with Ian Taylor & struggles readjusting back to "normal life" My first trek with Ian was with my dad & brother on Kilimanjaro, last summer. I had a similar feeling following that trek, which is why my dad and I decided to book another trip this year (Cayambe/Chimborazo). Every detail of this trek was executed with meticulous detail, so much so that it was hard figuring out how they do this with such consistency. The secret (or my best guess)? Their team has 20+ years of experience, and are constantly iterating to one up themselves. This expertise is not only in logistics, but also in mountaineering. I've been climbing mountains in Colorado for years, and Ian has taken my love for mountaineering to new heights (pun intended). After seeing the level of safety and attention to detail put into the technical aspects of these climbs, I am not going to do any other big treks with anyone else (looking at you, Aconcagua...) Thank you, Ian & Laura for living with intentionality and for putting in the work to give me experiences that I will never forget.

This was my 3rd trip with Ian Taylor Trekking and each time they set even higher standards! Ian and Laura were super helpful in answering questions before the trip. Our itinerary in Ecuador was perfect; we got to see quite some of the sights including Quito and 'Middle of World' on the equator. Most importantly it acclimatised us to the altitude with climbs to 4200m and 4600m before the big stuff of Cayambe (5800m) and Chimborazo (6300m). The final climbs were harder than I ever imagined but we made it and it was so worthwhile. Our guide Joaquin was fantastic; so passionate about his country and the mountains and keeping us safe. The hotels and food were outstanding and all in all a fantastic experience. I highly recommend Ian Taylor trekking and their Cotopaxi (or Cayambe) and Chimborazo trip.

Professional, fast, reliable, customer oriented, honest, transparent! Julio Verne Travel accompanied me perfectly in the preparation of the climb. However, thanks to theyr professional and transparent communication, we came to the conclusion that it would not make sense to even go to the High Camp of Chimborazo (to much snow). Others did and attempted a climb which led to the tragic and unnecessary death of several people in an avalanche! Planning to climb Chimborazo? Do it with the best: Julio Verne Travel!

I climbed Chimborazo with Julio Verne (my guide was Paúl). Excellent experience! Everything was well organised, their rental equipment is good to very good, the food was great, and they were very helpful and responsive when I first enquired and booked via WhatsApp.

I got involved 'Chimborazo climbing tour' at the price 480 dollars. But I failed climb the top of Chomborazo brcause of high altitude sick. Prepare well to the high altitude sick.

Julio Verne Travel was recommended to us by Chimborazo Lodge Marco Cruz to rent some equipment for climbing Chimborazo. We borrowed shoes, rain pants, sleeping bags, hiking poles and gaiters. All the items were in really good condition and without the expertise, we almost forgot about the sleeping bags.

After recommending this agency in Quito, we contacted them to climb Chimborazo. The truth is that at all times they treated us very well, both in the communication, which was very good, and during the entire time of the ascension. The material is top quality for that type of mountain and the extras such as food and others are also very good. Our guide was Cristian and it was obvious that he had experience and knew this mountain very well, 100% professional. Although we did not manage to reach the top due in part to bad weather, it was a huge experience that we would do again. As a recommendation it would be that to reach the summit more easily you should sleep in high country and from there go to the summit. In our case it was not like that and I think it would have been better. Thanks for everything!

Julio Verne Travel went above and beyond during my trip to Ecuador. I work in the adventure travel business in Alaska and know what it takes to run a smooth trip and go out of the way for clients. First, we booked very last minute after deciding to do this with a guide rather than unguided. They accommodated. Next, my climbing partner and I had a car issue and were stranded on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere before meeting. We sent a message and our company driver came to help and got us to the park entrance in time. They also assisted in getting us a ride back to our car on the way back. Finally, our guide, Christian was great. He was an accomplished climber and helped us to the top of Chimborazo. We got up and down, he increased our chance of a summit with recent route beta, route familiarity, and professionalism. Our stay at high camp Alto was also great and I recommend staying there to increase your chance of a summit. As an outdoor professional myself with 6 years of industry experience, I highly recommend Julio Verne Travel if you are planning a summit of one of Ecuador’s peaks.

I planned to hike Chimborazo, and after dealing with a minor issue with an alternate operator, Julio Verne couldn’t have been more helpful. I wanted to spend a day or two at altitude first to see how my body reacted before committing to a summit attempt, and this was fine by the kind owner, Popkje. All of the equipment was of very good quality, and included in the package. Popkje also assisted with booking refugios on the mountain. It appears as though most (if not all) of the agencies utilise a pool of qualified mountain guides. Whilst my guide wasn’t particularly the most talkative (either in English or my attempts at Spanish) that wasn’t his job. He carried out his job as a guide superbly and I felt very safe. We made it to 6,000m, however, given the avalanche risk, we were unable to summit. A snow storm had blown through two days prior, and even with my limited avalanche awareness training, we were both in agreement and I knew we couldn’t go further. Reaching 6,000m was an achievement for me, and there was no lasting disappointment that the summit couldn’t be conquered - safety is paramount, especially in these mountain conditions. You can always climb another day. It was tough - I’m reasonably fit and used to spending time in the Canadian Rockies, but the altitude does take its toll. Would recommend Julio Verne to anyone wanting to explore La Sierra, Ecuador.

I recently completed a six day fully customized tour with my wife in July, 2024. We expanded upon the Volcano Avenue tour and added two days of mountain biking to four days of hiking. I will start by stating that we usually do not travel and engage in tours feeling that we would rather be alone and figure out the logistics/plans on our own. However after researching Equador and the Central Highlands area I had the feeling that logistics would be extremely difficult to perfect. You can get around by bus or by private rides but getting to trail heads and getting rides after completing hiking trails in remote areas seemed nearly impossible. We also wanted to stay in haciendas and hotels nightly so we needed to get rides every evening. Also the hiking trails are not marked and there are basically no signs anywhere. These are remote areas and getting hurt would be re a really difficult situation. So I worked with Popjke the owner and basically customized my own tour which included very minimal daily driving and hotel stays, basically glamping. Our typical day was: Getting picked up at our hotel at 8:30, driven to our hiking/climbing/biking destination with a private guide, and driven to our hotel in the afternoon. We stayed at a different area/hotel every night of the tour. Then on our last day of the tour we were driven to Banos and 3 days later driven from Banos back to Quito. Full service. So my review is….amazing. The activities had great variety and were what we wanted, the hotels were all different but great. Food was amazing, they provided box lunches (specifically for my wife that has a lot of food allergies) and breakfast/dinner was great. Out private guide Marcial was perfect and spoke fluent English. The drivers Moises and Roberto always had the right car for the occasion. The staff really love Equador and it shows. The company has a great vibe and treated us like family and really spoiled us. Also we had to change two activities last minute because of natural disaster and were able to find quality alternatives. We were in Quito, Pasochoa, Cotopaxi, Ruminahui, Chimborazo, Riobamba, and Banos in our 12 days in Equador. So basically I’m saying that Julio Verne Travel is first rate and they will take great care of you and try and give you exactly the trip that you planned. They exceeded my expectations and provide us a five star experience.

I could not recommend this company highly enough - Julio Verne made my trip in Ecuador magical! Initially I reached out to Julio Verne to enquire about a hiking trip to Chimborazo. Popkje was so knowledgable and ended up planning my entire trip - to the Galapagos and to Chimborazo (with some acclimatisation hikes to support) 16 days in total. My trip to the Galapagos was absolutely perfect and planned so well, giving me 8 days to experience everything including diving, snorkelling and hiking which I explained to Popkje I really wanted to do - I could not find anywhere else with this itinerary for the very competitive price they provided. I was picked up on time for every excursion and all the accommodation was clean, modern with excellent breakfasts included - and the Galápagos Islands speak for themselves they were incredible. Once back to mainland Ecuador it was time to climb Chimborazo! Popkje was very honest that I needed to ensure I had acclimatised enough to give me the best opportunity to reach the summit of Chimborazo (the closest place on earth to the sun @ 6263m!!). I had 5 acclimatisation hikes with Marcial and Fabian, both excellent mountain guides who are friendly, motivational and knowledgeable of Ecuadors mountains, flora and fauna! The equipment provided by Julio Verne is all very high quality to ensure you are summiting Chimborazo in the safest way possible, and Fabian (my mountain guide) took our safety very seriously too. Making it to the top of Chimborazo was the best feeling in the world and I cannot thank all those at Julio Verne, I know I owe it to them for my success in reaching the summit! A final thank you to Popkje who went above and beyond to support me throughout my trip, organising additional transfers to the airport as well as booking my accommodation for my last night in Ecuador - she is a truly wonderful person and so trustworthy. I do hope anyone considering booking with Julio Verne goes ahead and books because I just had the trip of a lifetime and that was all because of this fantastic company!

Excellent operation for trips to the region. They offer a set of fixed itineraries, but will customize trips to meet your needs. Pre-trip communication was unmatched - fast, accurate responses to my questions. I used them to organize some acclimatization hikes (a 3 day trek to El Altar, and some hikes at the base of Chimborazo) in preparation for a climb of Chimborazo. They worked to match me with other clients to help reduce my expenses. All the logistics were handled perfectly. The guides were top notch. I had most of the needed equipment myself, but everything provided to me and all the gear others were provided with was in great condition. They also organized airport transport for me. All of my needs were met.

I was very pleased with the entire Julio Verne team for organizing an amazing volcano climbing experience for me. Mine was a 6-day trip that included 3 peaks (Rumiñahui, Iliniza Norte and finally Chimborazo). My guide, Fabian, was terrific, he grew up climbing mountains in Ecuador and has probably done all of the summits hundreds of times. I always felt safe with him, even though we had some pretty rough conditions, especially at the Ilinizas. But also beyond the climbing, the whole trip (including accommodation, meals and transfers) was very well organized. The Chimborazo Lodge is simply beautiful, could not have imagined a better place to rest prior to the final summit attempt. And I cannot thank the team enough for the flexibility re changing mountains last minute (I was supposed to climb Carihuairazo instead of Chimborazo, and changed plans a few days before the planned climb, once my trip already started, which the team accommodated promptly) - this way I was able to celebrate my birthday on top of Chimborazo, which will definitely be hard to forget. A huge thank you for the entire trip, I had an incredible time! Definitely recommended

I want to preface this review by saying I booked this climb 5 weeks before the date, which gave me little time for physical preparation. I needed help. J Verne was amazing to work with. We scheduled an initial call three weeks before the summit attempt to review all logistics. My point of contact, Popkje, convinced me to push the hike out a week so I could better acclimate to altitude and set up living arrangements. When I made it to Ecuador, we were in constant contact. I didn't have to worry about a thing! On summit day, I was fortunate with a great weather window and a better guide. He was experienced (30+ years) and pushed me even if it meant tough love. I still don't believe I would have reached the top without his maniacal obsession with proper technique, timing and concentration. Taking on Chimborazo is formidable and daunting. I was incredibly fortunate for his guidance.

Professional, fast, reliable, honest, transparent! Julio Verne Travel accompanied me perfectly in the preparation of the climb. However, thanks to theyr professional and transparent communication, we came to the conclusion that it would not make sense to even go to the High Camp of Chimborazo (to much snow). Others did and attempted a climb which led to the tragic and unnecessary death of several people in an avalanche! Planning to climb Chimborazo? Do it with the best: Julio Verne Travel!

I’d like to recommend Julio Verne Travel for hiking trips to various locations in Ecuador. Two friends and I recently climbed Chimborazo with our guide, Dimitri. What was wonderful about our adventure was that Dimitri tailored our hikes to our specific experience level, the day’s weather and the conditions of the terrain. When we weren’t hiking, Dimitri took us on a walking tour of Riobamba where we stayed and to various places of interest as we drove to our destinations. Our accommodations for this trip were at Rincon Aleman, where we had clean and spacious rooms, breakfast every morning and use of a community kitchen. Food was also available at local restaurants or by delivery. The staff was very accommodating. Van pickup was part of our package. Dimitri picked us up at our front doors and dropped each of us home. I’m looking forward to my next Julio Verne adventure.

Our experience with Julio Verne has been incredible. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who go to Ríobamba in Ecuator for any type of tour! Probably the most serious agency in all Ecuator, after using 3 different agencies between Latacunga and Ríobamba.... The equipment is great and technical, the clothes & sleeping bags are clean and well kept in the agency, the organization of the Chimborazo climbing was perfect and the guides extremely professional and caring. The bivouac @ 5300 meters helps a lot reaching the top and Julio Verne is the only agency proposing it! Talking about Popkje,the owner: she is extremely reliable, organized and attention to details, to optimize your experience! And she went way beyond her job when she took care of us and many other foreign tourists, after being trapped into the emergency state and curfews when the president doubled up the gas price!The country was nearly into a civil war and she dedicated all her time to find out solutions to evacuate all of us back to Quito with success. Definitely the best! Remy & Martine

Julio Verne Travel is not only the best travel agency we had in Ecuador, but also one of the best on all of our traveling around the world!! If you come to Riobamba and plan to do any of the awesome activities in the region (like e.g. downhill tours, Chimborazo sightseeing tours, hiking tours, tours to Guamote Market and much more) Julio Verne is the best partner to do it with. They offer not only reasonable prices but also a perfectly professional organization for any trip you want to do. What we liked the most: The owner is such a helpful and nice person who gives you always the perfect advice for any situation; she has 25 years of experience in tourism in Ecuador and can help you with any activity all over the country. From regular tours up to ‚tailor made‘ and fully customized trips through Ecuador everything is possible. And even if you’re not in Riobamba but need some service for a different region, the response is always very fast and reliable. Also if you need a driver for a direct transfer, it‘s the best agency you can go with. In three weeks we booked a couple of transfers and tours with Julio Verne and we had only fantastic guides and such nice and friendly drivers who not only gave us a perfect feeling of safety at any time, but also had interesting stories and local tips for food and specialties to tell. I heard also the tours for professional Mountaineers e.g. to climb the top of Chimborazo are outstanding, but we are no alpinists and can‘t tell about these tours ourselves. In any case, no matter what you plan to do in Ecuador (and there are lots of opportunities), we highly recommend Julio Verne, if you‘re looking for a reliable, professional and very friendly agency!! D.&K.

My partner and I wanted to climb a mountain in Ecuador, our hearts were set on Chimborazo but was aware of altitude risks and knew that sufficient acclimatisation was required. We got in touch with Julio Verne through their sister company EOS Ecuador, that are based in Quito. We emailed them straight away and was encouraged by their rapid response rate. When we arrived in Riobamba, we visited the store, which is very easy to find and was greeted by Popkje Van Der Ploeg, who we had been liaising with via email. She was extremely helpful and foremost, honest. She did not force a sale on us and paid particular attention to safety. She was concerned that we had not endeavoured in any acclimatisation hikes and therefore recommended some climbs that we could do solo. After this we then went back to the store and booked the Carihuairazo climb, a high climb but still considered an acclimatisation climb, in preparation for Chimborazo. I did not have particularly high expectations for the climb, it was just a stepping stone to a bigger goal. I could not have been more wrong! It was one of the most spectacular things I have done. Our guide, Sandiego, was exceptional! He spoke brilliant English, was attentive throughout the climb and at all times we felt completely safe. Carihuairazo is not a climb that should be underestimated. It is at times, very technical and requires crampons and rope work. It's an excellent introduction to technical climbing and as a virgin climber, it was an adrenaline packed experience. We were incredibly lucky with the weather and views. We walked for the first four hours through a snow storm and with the first break of light, we caught a breathtaking view of Chimborazo, the larger, neighbouring mountain. Our ascend up the summit was the highlight of our endeavour but an experience I shall never forget. I want to say a huge thank you to Julio Verne, their staff and particularly Sandiego, who without, this experience would not have been as special. I pride Julio Verne on their complete honesty of the reality, of the mountaineering world. They are not, like many booking agencies, money grabbers and pushy sales reps. They are professional, honest and put your safety at the forefront of any expedition. If you are considering climbing Chimborazo, have a look at Carihuairazo, it's as beautiful on a clear day and promises to teach you the essentials of technical climbing. Thank you Julio Verne for helping us make the right decisions and looking after us so well :) PS food, equipment, including sunglasses, crampons.... all other essential mountaineering gear, is of an exceptional standard and included in the price.

I booked a private tour to climb Chimborazo. Popkje, the owner has always been very responsive and helpful. Even months before my arrival. She also recommended places at high altitude to stay for acclimatisation. Paul was my guide and was very professional. He helped me with everything and took me up to the summit on his birthday, which will by far be my favourite day in the mountains. In general I got treated like a princess from everyone on the tour. The gear was also great and when I accidentially left a rented pant at the refugio, Popjke did quickly call them and it was no problem for them at all to go get them whenever they had to go up there for the next tour. Thank you again for this!

This was my second year in a row using JV. After avalanche conditions forced us off Chimborazo before, I returned eager to attempt a climb on Cotopaxi. A variety of hikes, treks, and bike tours around Riobamba prepared me in the week prior. JV is always on time and cooperative. I have a very good understanding and appreciation of the Ecuadorean Andes now.

We booked a Carihuairazo acclimatization climb and a Chimborazo climb through the Julio Verne agency and were very happy with our pick. Not only was the planning meticulous and the pricing moderate, also when we needed to delay the whole trip for a day and add some pieces of equipment at short notice, this was no problem and did not incur any extra charge. When one of our group suffered from altitude sickness, the agency was very supportive. The rental equipment is generally good, you may only consider bringing your own jacket and thermal layers. Highly recommended.

We did the Hidden Valley trip... bit of hiking on Chimborazo and then downhill biking for the rest of the day... all the way to Ambato. Our guide was Dmitri and the whole day was great. Great soup lunch on Chimborazo and well earnt snacks at the end of our ride. We are fit and active people but you wouldn't even need to be that fit to do this day... mostly downhill on the bikes. Most importantly the gear was great... bikes were great with good gearing and brakes. They also have spare bikes on the safety van in case of malfunction. The safety van made this trip super safe and easy plus it was mainly on quiet roads. While it wasn't a cheap day out for a budget traveller it demonstrated great value for money and was an excellent way to see Chimborazo if you have no intention on climbing the summit :-) Impressed by the tour company and their commitment to safety.

To date, we have booked 5 trips with Julio Verne - all of them a "10". I can say without reservation, that this is the most accurate, helpful and interesting agency I have come across. I have been impressed time and again with the level of service that I receive. Popkje works hard to put together outstanding experiences. In fact, she doesn't stop until every detail is nailed down perfectly. Follow up and communication are timely. She is also very thoughtful, and carefully considers our desires and abilities. At each visit, the guides and other people I observed working at the agency seemed to really enjoy what they were doing, and enjoy one another. The whole place has a great and welcoming vibe. Equipment for each trip with tip-top. A sampling of our trips to date: Hidden Valley Bicycle - really fun ride near Chimborazo. Vicunas, geology, beautiful vistas, twisty country road along river and past several rural communities. Serious fun for my family! Galapagos - a lifelong dream beautifully fulfilled. Last-minute 8day/7night cruise on m/v Majestic. Family trip of a lifetime! El Alter & Cotopaxi - A beautiful hike up to the high country to acclimate for the Cotopaxi climb. Great fun and challenging experience for two fat gringos. It must also be said that each of the guides selected for the trips were likewise outstanding. I feel that Julio Verne represents great value for money spent and also provides some truly amazing experiences. I look forward to more trips with Julio Verne down the road. Erik Knudsen

One of my favorite memories was completing the Chimborazo climb with Julio Verne. They are incredibly thorough and provide some of the best equipment I've seen. They even offered me a free ride to Estrella to Chimborazo when i inquired about what bus to take. Unfortunately, the experience was slightly dampened by a less then patient guide. However, i acknowledge that the guides are not necessarily Julio Verne, and the company itself does provide opportunities to rate your guides afterwards to ensure everything went well. This company was safe, friendly and above all else, did not skimp on the quality of service and equipment, which is crucial when you're above the clouds. If your guide happens to be impatient, just respectfully remind them that us land-dwelling-sea-urchins don't necessarily live in the same atmosphere as them and cannot be expected to function in the same manner as these mountain gazelles. Much love, Joey

We went on 2 trips with Julio Verne, both were very well organised, equipped and thrilling. The bike ride down Chimborazao was amazing, 38km from 4,800m to 3,300m. You cycle through stunning scenery down the Volcano and through small villages towards San Juan. We also went on the 2 day Vicuna trek around Chimborazao with Luis guiding us. Right from the pickup we were looked after aand wisked up the mountain. The first stage of the climb is steep and tiring but Luis only went at our pace and made us feel very relaxed at such a high altitude. They have arefuge on the side of the Volcano which could potentially sleep 20 with comfy beds and a huge sitting room. We were given a delicious Ecuadorian dinner cooked by Luis and Leonardo and listened to their stories in front of the fire. An enourmous breakfast greeted us in the morning before everything was packed onto the horse and we set off for a stunning 5 hour hike in the shadow of the massive Chimborazo. An experience we won´t forget. Thank you to all the team.

Julio Verne are an excellent company to work with and I can whole-heartedly recommend them to any traveller. I run my own tour company, Aspiring Adventures, in Peru, so I know what to look for in an agency. And when I was looking for a travel agency in Riobamba with reputable climbing guides (to help me on my quest to climb Chimborazo), Julio Verne stood out by far! Popkje in the office was on the ball with replying to all my questions before the climb. The hire gear was impeccable. Jaime my climbing guide has exactly the type of personality you want in a mountain guide at those sorts of altitudes - calm, caring, responsive, and safety conscious. Thank you so much Julio Verne!

My wife and I had a fantastic time with Julio Verne Travel on their Chimborazo and Hidden Valley mountain bike adventure! There are at least 5-8 mountain bike operators in Riobamba, and one operator is already well reviewed on Trip Advisor. The initial reason we went with Julio Verne Travel was that it is just 2 blocks from the Riobamba train station, so we could easily find them so we could check it out what was on offer - as you never know what you get! We were immediately impressed! At front of the Julio Verne shop there was freshly cleaned, full suspension Cannondale and GT mountain bikes, and front suspension Trek 7000’s all lined up ready to go. Wow! The owner, a Dutch lady who had been operating in Riobamba for 18 years, offered us several mountain bike day tour options, of which we chose the “Hidden Valley” for which we paid $52 each. Unlike most Chimborazo trips which effectively down hills from the refugio back towards Riobamba - the same way you just drove there, the Hidden Valley trip down hills from Chimborazo to the national park gates, where you are then transferred to the top of the Hidden Valley road where you down hill towards Ambato. The next day we met at the shop around 8.30 and were fitted with extremely good Giro bicycle helmets, elbow pads, knee pads, gloves, rain paints and a balaclava. We met our very nice, very good English speaking guide Luis, who drove us the 1 hour ride from Riobamba to Chimborazo refugio at 4800m in a great Toyota Landcruiser Prado. Luis our guide stayed at the rufigo to make what was to be a delicious lunch while my wife and I walked up the clearly marked trail to the Whymper refugio at 5000m – an easy 45min walk up hill. Although very cloudy, we did get incredible glimpses of Chimborazo and the surrounds through the cloud breaks. Amazing! After lunch we geared up for the downhill from the refugio at 4800m to the national park gates at 4000m. My wife who initially said the previous day “No its Ok you can go by yourself, I will stay at the hotel” and had not been on a bike in 10 years or more, was initially a little nervous. However after our guide gave good instructions on how the bike worked and how to be safe, we were off. The down hill is awesome! Go as fast (which is really fast on a pretty decent dirt road with only a few sections of small corrugations and pot holes, at least that was when we were there) or as slow as you want. On the way down there were small herds of Vicunas (a small lama) grazing around, and great views. Luis our guide either respectfully drove behind us, or went out front to take photos of us on the way down. At the National Park Gates my wife (now smiling ear to ear under her balaclava) and I then were transferred to the village of San Luis - the top of the second section of down hill. All on paved road this is essentially a 50km down hill ride (I think it is a 1.2km altitude change) through spectacular scenery! Really it is spectacular! Ok 50km sounds like a long way, but we cycled 1.5 hours had second lunch, and then about another 1.5 hours to Ambato. In all of this 3 hour ride there was about 5 minutes of easy uphill climb. We loved this trip! Julio Verne Travel was extremely professional, they had excellent equipment that was well looked after, and professional guides. Luis even pulled over to the side of the road and stopped the car to answer his cell phone on the way home! This is an excellent and highly recommended adventure!

I had a a very unique trip to Ecuador where I managed to climb Rucu Pichincha, Iliniza Norte and Cayambe within 1 week time and fantastic recoveries in various lodges in between. Edgar's team gave me assurance starting from the airport pick up until the last day with a very detailed organization skills and punctuality. The personal guide Ivan Herrera was a fantastic example of how the mountain guide should be. Even though the language barrier prevailed, I have managed to communicate with him effectively on the mountains. Not a single time I was feeling uncomfortable during the climbing, whether it is a wind, rain, snow, day or night. Everything went very fine. I will definitely be considering returning to Ecuador to tackle Chimborazo volcano separately.

Thank a lot to Lonely Summits for our first experience with hight altitude climbing, especially to Edgar who was so important and friendly person during our 8 days climbing advanture. Everthing was perfect, timed, and finaly when I had some healthy problems he accomodated our plan and we replaced the Chimborazo for Cotopaxi and so we had a chance to be on the summit of almost 6k mouintain. Once to be in Ecuador we also visited Galapagos and Amozonia. We asked the Lonely Summits Trave Agancy for arranging it and also - everthing worked perfectly. Just adding last note - we are working now with Edgar on the plan for next year. Some volcanos in Ecuador and then Peru - Cordilera Blanca.

A fantastic company whose services I used while in Ecuador. I booked a trip to the Amazon in Cuyabeno and a climb up Chimborazo. Everything was handled honestly, transparently, and with excellent organization. They also have a great hotel in Quito, making the entire experience seamless and convenient. In addition to these tours, they offer many other options. The easiest way is to visit their hotel in Quito or contact them via WhatsApp, and they’ll take care of everything you need. Highly recommended!

My son has successfully climbed Chimborazo, Cotapxi, and most recently Cayambe all in 2024 all with Ecuador Eco Adventures! His experiences on all the climbs were outstanding, due to great communication, organization, high quality equipment, good food, and most of all very talented guides who kept my son safe on each climb. I would highly recommend Ecuador Eco Adventures if you are wanting to climb Ecuador's highest peaks!!

I had a great experience with Ecuador Eco Adventure. I climbed Chimborazo in October 2023 with them and was very happy with the experience. Wlady was very responsive to my questions and overall very accommodating to my situation and needs. On the mountain my guide was amazing and I felt safe and in very good hands. We were successful and reached the summit. I would definitely use them again!