If you are looking forward to developing your next level of mountaineering expertise, Rafael, a ASEGUIM-certified guide with more than 27 years of experience will take you on this adventure to reach the summit of Iliniza South.
Andes
2 Days
All year
High
Intermediate
This trip is definitely not for unexperienced climbers. Climbing Iliniza South requires you to be physically shaped. Also a previous knowledge on rock and ice climbing is a must, as this mountain demands much more ability in technical terms compared to Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.
The Ilinizas are a pair of volcanic mountains (partially active) that are located about 100 km south of Quito, Ecuador. This couple of mountains are a great choice for altitude acclimatization. They are frequently used as training for climbing higher peaks like Chimborazo and Cotopaxi among others. The Iliniza South, being the highest and most challenging of both peaks stands at 5266 meters.
It is important to bring the right equipment. Include a couple of footwear changes, trekking shoes, headgear (don’t forget to attach a strap to your sun glasses), rain and warm clothing, sun protection, camera and torch, both with extra battery packs, as the cold temperatures make the batteries last less than usual.
On our first day we will take a 3 hour drive from Quito to La Virgen refuge at the mountain base. There we’ll have lunch. Afterwards we’ll continue our journey to the first refuge at 4600 meters. There we will have the afternoon off. We will have dinner and spend the night in the refuge.
Our second day will start very early at 4:00 AM with breakfast. Then we’ll start climbing. It will take us about 5 hours (with good weather conditions) to make it to the summit. There we will have the best view to capture our moments with the camera. Then we’ll start our descent to the refuge and make our way back to Quito.
If you find this attractive, contact me and get ready to come along to this adventure!
If you think you may want to spend an extra two days around these Ecuadorian volcanoes, check out this 2-day climbing to Chimborazo and make the most out of your journey.
4.8
(31)
Mountain Guide
Rafael was born in Quito and grew up in the Andean Region. Since childhood he Ioved hiking and climbing the mountains.
In the 80 ' He participated in expeditions in Peru, Bolivia South America. In the Alps and Pyrenees and also in the Pamir Pick Communism of 7500mts.
In the 90 ' He was the founder of the School of Guides ASEGUIM, President for 7 years of the Guides Association and promoted and formed the mountain rescue group GRA.
He graduated as Mountain Guide and Guides Instructor at the ENSA in Chamonix–France.
Since 2000 he have been advising, training and participating in 16 expeditions around the world: Alaska, Aconcagua, Alps, Pyrenees, Cordillera Blanca. He has also trained and counseled Ecuadorian climbers who managed to make the 14 eight thousands without auxiliary oxygen, the 7 highest peaks of the world and Big Walls. Since 2001 he started his Adventure Tour Company which operates successfully up to the present under the name of CLIM BIKE HIKE.
Since 2010 he has been training and participating in the project EVEREST without auxiliary oxygen in one day. He has climbed the EVEREST 2 times, and he has reached the summits of: Manaslu, Shisha Pangma, Aconcagua 7 times, Denali 5 times and the summits of the Alpes Materhorn, Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, Agille. Vert, Zugs Pitze among others.
During his 27 years of experience as a professional mountain guide Rafael has guided more than five hundred times to Cotopaxi volcano and more than one hundred times to Chimborazo, sharing with clients the culture and wonderful mountains of Ecuador.
Languages
French | English
Certificates
ASEGUIM
Wojciech
Super trip of a lifetime, I conquered cotopaxi and chimborazo. A lot of hard work but an equally great acclimatization program from Rafael. Super man, with great knowledge on mountain subjects, always helpful and friendly. He was eager to tell us about nature and the towns we were in. Everything was organized very well, the hotels were of very good quality, the food very tasty, and the ascents into the mountains themselves safe under the supervision of a professional who watched over and helped. The organization was of a very high level. Safety always came first. Super people, I would gladly go again. I highly recommend, you can learn a lot from Rafael and experience a great adventure with great people.
Peter
my friend and i really enjoyed the trip. Rafael was a fantastic guide. He was informative and great person to be around.Rafael was full of laughs but when on the mountains his focus on safety was second to none, he gave clear and direct instructions and was always willing to help. his vast experience in mountaineering was clear and the respect and admiration from all the other mountain guides we met on the road in Ecuador towards him shows how highly he is thought of. hopefully we can team up with him again in the future. was a fantastic experience.
Gérald
Rafael is a very Kind and professionnal guide. Its organisation was perfect. The rythme was perfect too. Even when troubles appeared, he solved the problems easily and quickly. I’ll come back to climb with him for sure.
Kateryna
Rafael was an amazing guide with many years of experience. The trip was planned very well from the begging till the end as well as acclimatisation. I get well prepared for high altitude. Highly recommended.
Andrew
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