Experience a full day in the Ecuadorian Andes with a guided ascent of Iliniza North, reaching 5,126 metres. This medium mountain adventure combines high-altitude trekking with carefully timed wellness practices to support your performance and overall well-being.
Your day begins early with transport to the base of Iliniza North, a peak known for its striking presence and elevation. After meeting your guide and reviewing the route, you’ll begin the ascent through spectacular Andean terrain—rocky paths, alpine vegetation, and views of surrounding volcanoes. The route is physically demanding and suited for individuals with mountain experience or strong fitness levels, but it doesn’t require specialist mountaineering gear. As you gain elevation, you'll engage in short breathing and movement exercises to aid oxygenation and reduce the strain of altitude. These moments are built into the hike to ensure you stay energised and focused.
Along the way, yoga and stretching sessions help your body stay flexible and reduce the build-up of muscular tension. Carefully chosen pauses give space for rest, reflection, and connection with the environment. Natural energy snacks and warm drinks are provided throughout to keep you nourished. Upon reaching the summit, you'll be rewarded with dramatic views across the Ecuadorian Andes. The day finishes with a guided deep relaxation session designed to restore balance before you descend and return by vehicle. This full experience goes beyond physical achievement—it’s about finishing refreshed, realigned, and inspired.
Iliniza North is located in the western Cordillera of the Ecuadorian Andes, around 55km southwest of Quito. The mountain is part of the Ilinizas Ecological Reserve and rises to 5,126 metres, making it one of Ecuador’s most accessible high-altitude peaks for non-technical climbers. The trail begins from the La Virgen parking area and continues past the Nuevos Horizontes refuge, with diverse scenery including volcanic scree, cloud forest remnants, and snow-dusted rock formations near the summit.
The region is known for its biodiversity and dramatic terrain, offering an ideal setting for combining outdoor activity with wellness. The reserve is protected and managed to allow controlled visitor access, so your route will be supported by clear waypoints and safety-focused guidance. As it is a one-day trip from Quito, you’ll return to the city in the evening, having experienced a significant alpine achievement without the need for overnight accommodation.
Participants must be in good physical condition with prior hiking or trekking experience at moderate to high altitudes. Although this is not a technical climb, the elevation, changing weather conditions, and duration of the ascent require stamina and readiness. No specialised climbing equipment is necessary, but proper mountain gear is essential. You’ll need layered clothing, mountain boots, sunglasses, gloves, and a backpack with personal safety items. The effects of altitude can vary, so preparation through acclimatisation and hydration is key.
Minimum age is 8, but children must be accustomed to full-day outdoor activity and accompanied by an adult. A pre-trip briefing will help ensure all personal kit is appropriate. It’s also important that all participants travel with personal insurance that covers high-altitude hiking. This session runs year-round but may be rescheduled in case of adverse weather.
This experience is led by a team from a long-established German-Ecuadorian operator with more than a decade of expertise across South America’s top destinations. The company has built a reputation for combining culturally immersive and active itineraries with thoughtful support, helping travellers experience the Andes, Amazon, coast, and Galápagos in meaningful ways. They bring deep knowledge of local terrain, altitude readiness, and wellness integration.
Based in the heart of Quito, the operator employs multilingual staff to assist with every detail of your trip. All logistics are managed directly, ensuring reliable transport, certified guides, and safety on the ground. Their approach balances the physical intensity of adventure travel with the chance to reset and reconnect with yourself in some of the continent’s most scenic locations.
Yes, this ascent is designed for individuals with a good fitness level but does not require technical mountaineering skills. It’s a challenging day hike to high altitude, but you won’t need ropes or climbing gear. That said, you should be comfortable walking for several hours on steep, uneven trails.
Some prior experience hiking at altitude will definitely help, especially above 4,000 metres. If you’ve never been to high elevation before, we recommend spending a day or two in Quito or a similar altitude beforehand to help acclimatise and avoid discomfort during the hike.
The trail to Iliniza North is scenic and varied. You'll begin by hiking through high-altitude grasslands, eventually reaching a steeper rocky path that leads to the Nuevos Horizontes refuge. From there, the final approach to the summit includes some scrambling over volcanic rock.
While the route is not technical, it does require good balance and confidence on uneven terrain. The summit ridge is exposed in some areas, so the guide will assist with route-finding and pacing. The views on the way up include other major peaks, valleys, and the Ecuadorian cloud forest.
The wellness component is thoughtfully integrated throughout the day to help you get the most out of the physical effort and natural surroundings. Sessions include guided breathing techniques to support acclimatisation, yoga-based stretching at key rest points, and a calming relaxation segment at the end of the hike.
These practices not only help with flexibility and altitude performance but also enhance the experience emotionally. They give you time to pause, notice your surroundings, and reflect—turning a physical challenge into something more restorative and rewarding.
You should have a good baseline of fitness and be comfortable with continuous movement for several hours. Regular hikers, trail runners, or cyclists will usually find the effort manageable. The altitude makes things tougher, so even short uphill stretches can feel more demanding than usual.
Training beforehand with aerobic exercise, walking on hilly terrain, and carrying a small pack will help. The ascent isn’t fast-paced and includes many breaks, but it’s important to listen to your body and speak up if you feel unwell.
Bring proper mountain boots, layered clothing for cold and wind, a small backpack (35–50L), sunglasses (cat. 4), sunscreen, a hat, gloves, a thermal bottle or hydration system, and a basic first aid kit. A helmet is optional but recommended if you're less confident on rocky terrain.
Snacks and drinks are provided, but feel free to carry extras. Equipment rental is not included, so double-check you have everything packed the day before. A detailed gear checklist will be shared upon booking to make sure nothing’s missed.
Yes, transport from and back to Quito is included. You’ll be picked up early in the morning from a central meeting point, typically your accommodation or a pre-agreed location in the city. Travel to the trailhead takes approximately two hours.
On the return, you'll be brought back to the same location in the early evening, depending on weather and pace. All transport is managed by certified drivers in private vehicles familiar with the mountain roads.
About the centre
Wilson OE 7-56 y Diego de Almagro, La Mariscal
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Operated by Responsible Travel, a partner of adventuro.
Quito & Avenue of Volcanoes, Ecuador
From £4129.56
Quito & Avenue of Volcanoes, Ecuador
From £2440.19
