Is Corazon a good first mountain in Ecuador?

Yes. It is one of the best first contacts with altitude: no glacier and no technical climbing. Also, it takes about 6 hours of walking to reach a 4,791 m summit. In short, exactly the preparation you need before Cotopaxi, Cayambe or Chimborazo.

In warm layers, because the weather on Corazon is very unpredictable. For example, bring fleece clothing, a waterproof jacket, gloves, hiking boots, sunglasses and sunscreen.

What is the terrain like?

Mixed: grassland and paramo lower down, then rocky sections higher up. Altogether, the route runs from about 3,100 m (10,170 ft) to the 4,791 m summit.

Physical level moderate, technical level low to moderate. You need to be comfortable walking uphill for several hours. However, you need no mountaineering skills.

Yes, the price covers a box lunch. It also covers return transport from Quito, your certified bilingual guide and the technical equipment. However, it does not cover gratuities.

Corazon Volcano Acclimatization Trek

Your first taste of Ecuadorian altitude, 30 km from Quito

1 day

Acclimatization

Difficulty: Moderate
Summit at 4,791 m
About 6 hours to the top
Box lunch included
Certified bilingual guide
Confirmed from 2 participants

Duration
1 day
Difficulty
Moderate
Departure
Hotel pick-up in Quito at 07:00 a.m.
Departure days
Any day, with a minimum of 2 participants
Languages
English, Spanish

Tour overview

The Corazon volcano trek starts just 30 km southwest of Quito, in the western range of the Andes. Corazon is an inactive volcano, and seen from the west it looks like a heart. In fact, that is exactly where the name comes from. The summit stands at 4,791 m (15,709 ft).

Chimborazo, Cotopaxi and Cayambe get all the attention. However, you do not walk onto a glacier without preparing for altitude first. The Corazon volcano trek from Quito is one of the best ways to do that. In short: no glacier, no technical climbing, and about 6 hours of walking to the summit. The route rises from paramo grassland onto rocky ground.

The weather here is genuinely unpredictable, so warm layers are not optional. Meanwhile, your certified bilingual guide handles the briefing, sets the pace and carries the safety equipment. On top of that, the price covers your helmet, harness and box lunch.

Itinerary

07:00: Hotel pick-up in Quito

First, we collect you at your hotel. Then we drive southwest towards Corazon volcano, in the western Andes.
Briefing: Weather, equipment and altitude talk

Next, your guide explains the conditions on the mountain. The briefing also covers how to use the technical equipment and how to pace yourself at altitude.
Ascent: The climb begins

From around 3,100 m the route climbs through grassland and paramo onto rocky sections. Altogether, expect roughly 6 hours of walking to the summit.
Summit: Summit at 4,791 m

Time on the top of the heart-shaped volcano, then descent by the same route.
Return: Back to Quito

Finally, we transfer you back to your hotel in Quito.

What's included

Included

Return transport from Quito to Corazon volcano
Certified bilingual guide
Box lunch
Technical equipment (helmet and harness)

Not included

Gratuities
Anything not specified in the programme

What to bring

Fleece clothing
Sunglasses
Camera
Hiking boots
Gloves
Waterproof jacket
Sunscreen
Cotton trousers
Trekking poles (optional)

Good to know

Is Corazon a good first mountain in Ecuador?

Yes. It is one of the best first contacts with altitude: no glacier and no technical climbing. Also, it takes about 6 hours of walking to reach a 4,791 m summit. In short, exactly the preparation you need before Cotopaxi, Cayambe or Chimborazo.
How should I dress?

In warm layers, because the weather on Corazon is very unpredictable. For example, bring fleece clothing, a waterproof jacket, gloves, hiking boots, sunglasses and sunscreen.
What is the terrain like?

Mixed: grassland and paramo lower down, then rocky sections higher up. Altogether, the route runs from about 3,100 m (10,170 ft) to the 4,791 m summit.
How demanding is it?

Physical level moderate, technical level low to moderate. You need to be comfortable walking uphill for several hours. However, you need no mountaineering skills.
Is lunch included?

Yes, the price covers a box lunch. It also covers return transport from Quito, your certified bilingual guide and the technical equipment. However, it does not cover gratuities.