Things to Do in Chimborazo

Chimborazo sits closer to the sun than Mount Everest, thanks to Earth's equatorial bulge making this 6,263-meter peak the farthest point from our planet's center. Most travelers base themselves in Riobamba, about 30 kilometers away. This gateway city puts you within striking distance of Ecuador's highest mountain and the surrounding Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve. The reserve is surprisingly diverse. You'll find páramo grasslands, glacial zones, vicuñas, llamas, and the occasional Andean condor roaming this protected ecosystem. The mountain presents both serious climbing challenges and easy day trip options—you don't need mountaineering skills to appreciate this place. Hiking trails wind through various altitudes. Even the drive up to the first refuge at 4,800 meters provides impressive views of the Andean landscape. The glaciers have been retreating in recent years, making Chimborazo both a natural wonder and a sobering climate change reminder.

Riobamba offers typical highland Ecuadorian cuisine with hearty soups, roasted guinea pig for the adventurous, and excellent local trout. The city center has several restaurants serving international food alongside traditional dishes. Most tour operators provide basic meals for mountain trips, but refuge food tends to be simple. Think pasta, soup, and hot drinks. Stock up on snacks and energy food in Riobamba before heading up—no shops exist in the reserve.

December to February and June to September offer the most stable weather for climbing and hiking, though Chimborazo creates its own weather patterns year-round. Climbing season peaks in December-January when snow conditions are most predictable. The mountain is notorious for sudden storms even during good weather periods. For wildlife viewing and lower-altitude activities, shoulder seasons might work better. Fewer crowds and still reasonable conditions.