How Much Does It Cost to Climb Chimborazo and Cotopaxi?

If you’re planning to climb Chimborazo and Cotopaxi in Ecuador, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is:

“How much does it cost to climb Chimborazo and Cotopaxi?“

The short answer is that you should expect to spend between $800 and $1,400 USD for a professionally organized expedition that includes both mountains.

However, after more than 20 years leading mountaineering expeditions in Ecuador, I can confidently say that price alone tells you very little about what you’re actually buying.

I’ve seen climbers save $150 by booking the cheapest option, only to spend hundreds more fixing problems that could have been avoided. Worse still, I’ve seen people put themselves at unnecessary risk by climbing with uncertified guides.

This guide explains the real cost of climbing Chimborazo and Cotopaxi, what should be included in your trip, and how to choose a safe, professional operator.

Quick Answer: How Much Does It Cost to Climb Chimborazo and Cotopaxi?

If you’re looking for a quality experience with certified mountain guides, these are realistic prices in Ecuador.

Private Expedition
$1,200–$1,400 USD

Includes a private certified mountain guide, transportation, technical equipment, accommodation, permits, meals, logistics, and personalized support.

Shared Expedition
$800–$1,000 USD

Joining an existing departure is usually the best value. You’ll share transportation and guide costs while still enjoying an all-inclusive experience with professional logistics.

The Biggest Mistake People Make When Comparing Prices

The biggest mistake I see is that travelers compare only the price of a basic two-day climb.

On paper, every company appears to offer the same trip.

In reality, they don’t.

Cotopaxi is located close to Quito, while Chimborazo is several hours farther south in the Ecuadorian Andes. Many travelers underestimate the amount of logistics involved in climbing both mountains.

When you book our Cotopaxi and Chimborazo climbing package, we organize every detail:

• Transportation throughout the expedition
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Technical mountaineering equipment
• Flexible pick-up locations
• Luggage storage
• Professional logistics from beginning to end

This means you don’t have to spend your vacation searching for buses, hotels, rental shops, or restaurants.

Everything is already organized, allowing you to focus entirely on the climb.

Why Are Some Chimborazo and Cotopaxi Tours So Cheap?

This is probably the question I’m asked most often.

If backpackers spend enough time searching, they will eventually find very cheap climbing offers.

The problem is what those prices don’t include.

Many inexpensive climbing tours exclude:

• Technical gear rental
• Transportation
• Snacks
• Meals
• Park permits
• Flexible pick-up locations

Sometimes the operator isn’t even using a certified mountain guide.

That is where the real danger begins.

Why Certified Mountain Guides Matter

Cotopaxi and Chimborazo are not hikes.

They are glacier mountaineering expeditions involving:

• Crevasses
• Ice climbing
• Rope travel
• High altitude
• Rapid weather changes
• Glacier rescue techniques
• Emergency decision making

Certified Ecuadorian mountain guides spend years developing these skills.

They train extensively in glacier rescue, avalanche awareness, altitude medicine, rope systems, navigation, and mountain safety.

When you’re standing at nearly 6,000 meters above sea level, experience isn’t optional.

It can literally save your life.

At What Price Should You Become Suspicious?

Personally, I become cautious whenever I see climbs advertised for less than $300 USD.

Professional guides, quality equipment, permits, transportation, insurance, accommodation, and logistics all cost money.

If someone is offering a climb well below the market average, ask exactly what is included—and more importantly, what isn’t.

Hidden Costs of Cheap Climbing Tours

Many travelers discover hidden expenses only after arriving in Ecuador.

Common additional costs include:

• Technical gear rental
• Transportation to the meeting point
• Meals
• Snacks
• Additional transportation after the climb

The cheapest tour often becomes one of the most expensive once everything is added together.

We’ve Helped Many Climbers Recover from Bad Experiences

Over the years we’ve helped many climbers who originally booked with uncertified operators because they appeared cheaper.

Some discovered the guide never arrived.

Others learned equipment wasn’t included.

Some found themselves climbing with unofficial guides who lacked the qualifications necessary for glacier mountaineering.

Many eventually paid twice—once for the failed experience and again to complete the climb safely with our team.

Unfortunately, we see this happen every season.

Why Do Some Companies Charge Thousands More?

One thing surprises many international travelers.

Our 6-day all-inclusive Cotopaxi and Chimborazo expedition costs approximately $1,400 USD.

We’ve seen nearly identical itineraries sold overseas for $8,000 to $9,000 USD.

The reason is simple, many international companies subcontract local operators in Ecuador and apply very large markups before selling the trip in their home country.

We’ve met clients who extended their expedition with us after discovering Chimborazo wasn’t even included in the expensive package they purchased abroad.

When they compared prices afterward, they realized they could have completed the same adventure several times over for what they originally paid.

A higher price is justified when it includes better logistics, experienced certified guides, excellent accommodations, safety, and personalized service. A higher price isn’t justified simply because the company is based in another country.

How Proper Acclimatization Increases Your Summit Success

Many climbers focus entirely on finding the cheapest expedition, very few ask about acclimatization.

That is a mistake.

Our average summit success rates are approximately:

• Cotopaxi: 87%
• Chimborazo: 72%

These success rates are the result of careful expedition planning.

Proper acclimatization dramatically increases your chances of reaching the summit safely.

For Chimborazo, starting from High Camp instead of the lower refuge also reduces the amount of climbing required during summit day, making the ascent considerably more manageable.

Our Advice After More Than 20 Years Guiding Climbers in Ecuador

People often tell me:

“I found another company that’s $150 cheaper.”

My answer is always the same.

There will always be someone willing to work for less ,that doesn’t automatically mean you’ll receive professional service.

More importantly, it doesn’t mean you’ll be safe, remember, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo are mountaineering expeditions—not trekking tours.

When you clip into a rope on a glacier, you’re placing your life in the hands of your mountain guide.

Before comparing prices, ask yourself one important question:

Is my guide certified and properly trained?

That answer is worth far more than saving a few dollars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chimborazo more expensive than Cotopaxi?

Yes. Chimborazo requires longer transportation, more logistics, and often additional accommodation because it is located much farther from Quito.

Can I climb Cotopaxi and Chimborazo in one trip?

Absolutely. In fact, combining both mountains into a single itinerary is one of the most popular mountaineering adventures in Ecuador. A properly designed itinerary also includes acclimatization, which greatly improves your chances of success.

Is it worth paying more for a certified mountain guide?

Without question. Certified mountain guides have years of technical training in glacier travel, rescue techniques, altitude emergencies, and mountain safety. Choosing an experienced guide is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning your expedition.

What is the best way to save money?

Join an existing group departure, find an open tour.

Sharing transportation and guide costs allows you to enjoy a professional all-inclusive expedition at a much lower cost than booking privately.

Final Thoughts

A successful ascent of Chimborazo and Cotopaxi is about much more than reaching two summits.

It’s about proper acclimatization, certified mountain guides, reliable equipment, safe logistics, quality accommodation, and having an experienced local team managing every detail of your expedition.

If you compare operators based on value rather than price alone, you’ll dramatically improve your chances of standing on the summits of Ecuador’s two most iconic volcanoes.

After more than two decades organizing expeditions in the Ecuadorian Andes, that’s exactly the advice I would give my own friends and family.

If you’re planning to climb Chimborazo and Cotopaxi and would like personalized advice, feel free to contact our team. We’d be happy to help you choose the itinerary that best fits your experience, budget, and climbing goals.