Ski the three tallest peaks in Ecuador’s Ring of Fire.
Take your skiing to a whole new level, from backcountry skier to high-altitude ski mountaineer with the Ecuador Ring Of Fire Ski Expedition. A perfect adventure for the avid backcountry skier/rider.
From the trip description by Alpenglow Expeditions
On-snow support
- Independent: Below this trip's level of support
Ski or ride independently, without trip staff accompanying you on the mountain.
- Hosted: With your guide
Trip hosts ski or ride with the group, help everyone get oriented, and share local knowledge.
- Guided: Included
Professional guides lead the group and select suitable terrain and routes based on conditions and ability.
- Coached: Included
Professional coaches lead the group, select suitable terrain, and provide instruction and personalized feedback to help you improve.
- CoursePartly includedDay 6 - Skills day on the Glacier: This day includes instruction on crevasse rescue, advanced glacier travel, and ski touring techniques.
- Backcountry guidingLed by IFMGA/AMGA certified guides
Terrain, ability and who it is for
BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedExpert
Terrain
Technical
- This trip is suitable for advanced backcountry skiers and riders only. You must be very comfortable on steep terrain (up to 45 degrees), and able to ski/ride smoothly in a variety of terrain and snow conditions. Additionally, you must have experience in the backcountry, with a minimum of 10 days touring.
- Previous ski mountaineering experience is highly recommended.
Altitude
- No prior altitude experience is necessary.
Who you ride with
- Sport
- Ski + Snowboard
From the trip description by Alpenglow Expeditions
What the price includes
Included
- Lodging
- Meals · partly
- Lesson · partly
- Transfers
- All lodging according to itinerary, including double occupancy lodging while in town and group lodging in mountain huts.
- Breakfasts in town, all meals while on the mountain
- Group camping and climbing equipment
- All park/climbing permits*
- Scheduled in-country transportation
- Airport transfers
- Certified guides
Not included
- Flights to/from the city where the expedition begins.
- Additional nights in hotel outside of the itinerary
- Airport taxes
- Visas
- In-town dinners
- Immunizations
- Tips for guides or local staff
- Travel, rescue, or any other type of insurance
- Hospitalization or evacuation costs
- Single supplement charges
- Excess baggage charges
- Alcohol
- Other personal expenses
- Aconcagua Climbing Permit*
- The costs of delays or changes to itinerary that are beyond the control of Alpenglow Expeditions or its agents are not included.
Not confirmed by the operator: Lift pass.
Day by day
- Day 1: ArrivalArrive into Quito (9,500 feet/2,896 meters) in the evening. Our guides will pick you up and bring you to our hotel, a local family-run place close to excellent restaurants and the tourist center of the city.Sleeping Elevation: 9,300’Lodging: San Jose De PuemboMeals: None
- Day 2: Explore and OrganizeExplore the colonial section of Quito. This historical city is famous for its beautiful churches, president’s palace, and ever-present views of the glaciated peaks that surround it. After touring for half the day, we spend the afternoon preparing for our acclimatization climb on Pichincha, practicing fixed line techniques, and organizing all our ski and climbing gear.Distance Covered: 2-4 milesMoving Hours: 4-5 hoursSleeping Elevation: 9,300’Lodging: San Jose De PuemboMeals: Breakfast
- Day 3: Acclimatization HikeOur first acclimatization hike. We ride the telepherique from the center of the city to 14,000 feet (4,267 meters) on Rucu Pichincha. Two hours of hiking brings us to the rock ridge, which we climb, conditions permitting to Pichincha’s 15,700-foot (4,785 meter) summit. This climb is a proud peak on its own and it is also important acclimatization for bigger peaks.Distance Covered: 6 milesMoving Hours: 4-5 hoursElevation Gain/Loss: +/- 2,400’Sleeping Elevation: 9,300’Lodging: San Jose De PuemboMeals: Breakfast
- Day 4: Move to OtovaloLeaving Quito behind, you head north towards the town of Otavalo and the ancient stratovolcano known as Mojanda. Towering above the lake that fills the old crater of Mojanda lies the craggy summit Fuya Fuya (4,263m/13,986ft). This marks another wildly beautiful acclimatization hike on our path to the glaciated giants to come. Descending down to the famous textile town of Otavalo, you will be treated to historic luxury at the 18th century Hacienda Pinsaqui.Distance Covered: 2.5 milesMoving Hours: 2 hr drive, 2-3 hr hikeElevation Gain/Loss: +/- 1,500’Sleeping Elevation: 8,300’Lodging: Hacienda PinsaquiMeals: Breakfast
- Day 5: Drive to Cayambe and skills practiceYou are now ready to head to the bigger mountains. Driving east from Otavalo, you will wind up the lower flanks of the massive Cayambe (5,790m/18,996ft). The rugged stone edifice of the Refugio perched on the ridge will give you shelter and warmth during the days to come. After settling into our bunk rooms, you will spend the afternoon up on the glacier learning about the fundamentals of footwork, balance and other techniques needed to climb these big peaks. You’ll be welcomed back to the refugio with hot drinks and fantastic food prepared by the wonderful staff.Distance Covered: 1.5 miles hiking, 2.5 hours drivingMoving Hours: 1-2 hours hikingElevation Gain/Loss: +/-800’ (hiking), +6,850 (driving)Sleeping Elevation: 15,150’Lodging: Refugio Ruales-Oleas-BergeMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 6: Skills day on the GlacierWe spend the morning reviewing the skill set that we will need for climbing and skiing Cayambe. This day includes instruction on crevasse rescue, advanced glacier travel, and ski touring techniques. We spend the afternoon resting, hydrating, eating, and getting to bed early for the summit of Cayambe.Distance Covered: 2-3 milesMoving Hours: 2 hours hikingElevation Gain/Loss: +/-1,000’Sleeping Elevation: 15,150’Lodging: Refugio Ruales-Oleas-BergeMeal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 7: Summit day, return to OtavaloYour training and preparation are ready to be put to the test. After an early wakeup and hot drinks and snacks (typically around midnight), you’ll find yourself moving up the rock steps and onto the vast glaciers above. The rhythmic crunching of crampons, the sway of the rope, the first inklings of morning light from high above the clouds are all classic aspects of mountaineering, and will frame the first several hours of your climb. Pushing higher still, the glacier becomes complex and challenging, your team will navigate around huge crevasses and drop offs on your way to the top. Cresting just shy of 19,000ft (5,790m/18,996ft), the summit of Cayambe is a proud achievement and offers commanding views of the surrounding mountains. Off to the south, you can make out the glaciated summits of Cotopaxi, Antisana and Chimborazo. The ski line typically follows the climbing route, and arcs through crevasse and along sweeping glaciers. After the wild descent back to the refugio, you’ll head back down to Otavalo and the welcoming gardens of the Hacienda Pinsaqui.Distance Covered: 5 milesMoving Hours: 7-11 hoursElevation Gain/Loss: +/-3,800’, (climbing), -6,850′ (driving)Sleeping Elevation: 8,300’Lodging: Hacienda PinsaquiMeals: Breakfast & Lunch
- Day 8: Recovery DayAfter a casual morning and tasty breakfast we depart the Hacienda and head back to Quito. No visit to Otavalo is complete without a stop at the famed Saturday market. Otavalo is renowned for its colorful textiles, and the kaleidoscope of vivid color at the Saturday market is the place to see them. You’ll see a vast number of different vendors selling everything from textiles and clothing to spices and other foods. This is a fantastic place to find a few keepsakes from your time in Ecuador. After you’ve seen the sights and sounds of the market, it’s time to return to Quito and your flight home. For those staying on for the extension, the fun is only getting started!Distance Covered: VariesMoving Hours: VariesElevation Gain/Loss: +1,000’Sleeping Elevation: 9,300’Lodging: San Jose De PuemboMeals: Breakfast
- Day 9: Fly home or drive to CotopaxiAny remaining Cayambe-only team members depart Quito for home. After breakfast, climbers staying on for the extension head up to the flanks of Cotopaxi and prepare for their climb in the coming days.Distance Covered: 3.5 hours driving or flight homeElevation Gain/Loss: +3,000’ (driving)Sleeping Elevation: 12,300’Lodging: Tambopaxi LodgeMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
From the trip description by Alpenglow Expeditions
Where you stay
All lodging according to itinerary, including double occupancy lodging while in town and group lodging in mountain huts.
Getting There
Arrive into Quito (9,500 feet/2,896 meters) in the evening. Our guides will pick you up and bring you to our hotel.
From the trip description by Alpenglow Expeditions
Pins show the approximate main trip area—not a route, meeting point, or full itinerary. Confirm exact locations in the company's trip details.
Dates and prices
| Dates | Season | Duration | From | Availability | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21 – Nov 29, 2026Choose these datesPublished as "November 21, 2026 – November 29, 2026". Optional Extension through Dec 6, 2026. | 2026/27 | 9 days | 4,950 USD$4,950 per person; currency not labelled on the page; US-based operator (North Lake Tahoe), read as USD; "Starting At $4,950"; Optional Extension available starting at $2,950 | Available | Book on company website |
| Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027Choose these datesPublished as "December 26, 2026 – January 3, 2027". Optional Extension through January 10, 2027. | 2026/27 | 9 days | 4,950 USD$4,950 per person; currency not labelled on the page; US-based operator (North Lake Tahoe), read as USD; "Starting At $4,950"; Optional Extension available starting at $2,950 | Available | Book on company website |
| Nov 20 – Nov 28, 2027Choose these datesPublished as "November 20, 2027 – November 28, 2027". Optional Extension through December 5, 2027. | 2027/28 | 9 days | 4,950 USD$4,950 per person; currency not labelled on the page; US-based operator (North Lake Tahoe), read as USD; "Starting At $4,950"; Optional Extension available starting at $2,950 | Available | Book on company website |
| Dec 26, 2027 – Jan 3, 2028Choose these datesPublished as "December 26, 2027 – January 3, 2028". Optional Extension through January 9, 2028. | 2027/28 | 9 days | 4,950 USD$4,950 per person; currency not labelled on the page; US-based operator (North Lake Tahoe), read as USD; "Starting At $4,950"; Optional Extension available starting at $2,950 | Available | Book on company website |
Prices, taxes and fees, required extras, inclusions, availability, and booking terms can change. Confirm the current price and trip details on the company website; source last reviewed September 24, 2026.
Good To Know
- Optional extension: Days 10-16 continue to Cotopaxi and Chimborazo (skills day, two summit days and a weather day); Cayambe-only team members depart on Day 9.
- Non-8,000m Peaks: A trip is confirmed 70 days before the start of an expedition.
- When an expedition is more than 90 days out, we require a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation. Within 90 days we require full payment.
- We require Rescue Insurance on all of our international expeditions.
From the trip description by Alpenglow Expeditions
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