Chimborazo Refuge
Exploring Chimborazo’s Refuges: What You Need to Know Before Climbing Ecuador’s Highest Peak
Towering at 6,263 meters (20,549 feet), Chimborazo is Ecuador’s highest mountain and, due to the equatorial bulge, the closest point on Earth to the stars. For mountaineers, it offers an unforgettable high-altitude challenge — one that demands proper acclimatization, preparation, and awareness of the available refuges on the volcano.
Before any climbing attempt, acclimatization is essential. We strongly recommend staying at our Chimborazo Basecamp Lodge, located at 4,000 meters. Nestled in the highlands with views of Chimborazo’s snowcapped summit, this lodge offers comfort, hot meals, and proximity to acclimatization hikes in the area. It’s the perfect base to rest and prepare for the altitude ahead, you an directly ask for information cvia whatsapp at +593 93 995 8499
Refugio Hermanos Carrel (Carrell Refuge)
The Carrell Refuge, located at 4,850 meters, is the most accessible refuge on Chimborazo. It’s currently open and managed by local communities, who help maintain this key facility for trekkers and climbers. While basic, the refuge provides shelter, bathrooms, and limited services. Reservations must be made through a registered travel agency or directly via the managing community, although clear online booking options remain limited.
Travelers are encouraged to coordinate their stay through Ecuador Eco Adventure or similar operators to ensure availability and logistics are secured.
Refugio Whymper – Permanently Closed and Abandoned
Once the primary staging point for summit attempts on Chimborazo, the Whymper Refuge, located at 5,000 meters, now stands closed and abandoned. From 2015 to 2020, the refuge suffered from poor management under its previous concessionaire, leading to a steady decline in services, maintenance, and safety. Unfortunately, the situation has not improved under the current administration, and the building has since been left in disrepair and disuse.
Compounding the issue, the direct climbing route from Whymper Refuge has become increasingly unstable and hazardous, with frequent rockfalls and unsafe snow conditions. These dangers have led the ASEGUIM-certified guiding community to officially abandon the route in 2019, shifting to safer and more reliable approaches via High Camp.
As a result, Whymper Refuge is no longer recommended nor used for serious climbing expeditions. Independent climbers are strongly discouraged from attempting to use this facility or the outdated route, due to significant safety risks and the lack of any operational support.
Today, all properly guided expeditions use the High Camp route, which offers safer access, better acclimatization, and a significantly higher success rate for summit attempts.
High Camp at 5,300 Meters – The Geodesic Dome Advantage
For those aiming to maximize their chances of summiting Chimborazo, the High Camp at 5,300 meters has become the preferred and safest launch point for modern expeditions. This private alpine camp features geodesic dome shelters, offering protected, insulated sleeping quarters at high altitude. Not only does it provide better overnight acclimatization, but its elevated location also means a shorter and more manageable summit push, often increasing the likelihood of success on summit day.
High Camp is a private venture and is not accessible to independent climbers. It can only be booked through certified mountaineering tour operators like Ecuador Eco Adventure, and is a key part of our Chimborazo summit packages. This ensures that only properly guided teams with trained porters, logistical support, and ASEGUIM-certified guides can use the facility — a measure that enhances both safety and conservation of the fragile high-altitude environment.
Due to its remote location, maintaining and accessing High Camp requires a dedicated porter team to carry gear, food, water, and emergency equipment up to 5,300 meters. As a result, the value of this experience is significantly higher than using public refuges, reflecting the added logistical efforts and safety standards involved.
It’s also important to note that availability at High Camp is extremely limited, and cannot be guaranteed, even with early booking. The number of geodomes is minimal by design, in order to reduce environmental impact and maintain a quiet, focused atmosphere for summit attempts. Booking a space requires coordination with a licensed operator and early confirmation of expedition dates — but even then, spots can fill quickly during high season or when weather windows align.
At Ecuador Eco Adventure, we work closely with the High Camp team to secure spaces in advance, but we always advise climbers to plan with flexibility and understand the high demand and unique conditions of operating at extreme altitude.