Climbing Cerro Puntas
volcano in Ecuador

Altitude: 4500m / 14763ft

Distance: 8km / 5mi

Duration: 1 Day

Date: All Year

Climbing Cerro Puntas volcano is excellent acclimatization training to climb mountains over 5000m. Cerro Puntas is a 4463m high extinct volcano located on the outskirts of the Cayambe-Coca National Park 32km (20mi) east of Quito in the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes. It is a fairly common horseshoe-shaped volcano to start in the world of mountaineering and trekking, and it is also excellent for beginning to gain acclimatization to climb other high mountains such as Cotopaxi, Cayambe, Antisana or Chimborazo. This mountain has two main chains of rocky peaks that, seen from afar, look like the teeth of a large saw, hence its name ‘Cerro Puntas’. It is estimated that in the two chains there are around 40 to 50 peaks that were formed thanks to erosion over time. The northwestern chain is the most common to climb, there is what is considered its highest peak. The southeast range has a difficult approach, higher humidity, and few trails, which is why it is little explored. It is even said that several of the peaks in that range have not yet been climbed. The landscapes while climbing Cerro Puntas volcano are very varied, its horseshoe crater hosts a wide variety of species, in addition to its impressive peaks, grass plains and volcanic rock walls that will make you enjoy this climb like no other.

The route for climbing Cerro Puntas volcano to the summit is not very long, we will cross a large grassland until we reach the peaks of the northwestern chain where we will have a 20m rock climb until we reach the summit where we will enjoy a great view of the old caldera and the chain of Southeast peaks, for the descent we will rappel. Climbing Cerro Puntas volcano is normally done in one day and every four passengers will have a certified mountain guide. If you travel alone, the ascent will be carried out only by the certified guide with the passenger. Come to live this incredible experience touring the Andes of Ecuador and reach the summit of this beautiful mountain full of life.

DAY 1: Climbing Cerro Puntas Volcano

We will pick you up from the hotel or place of your choice at 06h00 in our private transport. We will have a one hour trip via Checa until we reach the Hacienda Santa Teresita, point where we will start our climb. We will give some brief safety instructions and after approximately three hours and a bit of rock climbing, we will reach the summit of Cerro Puntas where we will enjoy the moors that surround us, the innumerable rocky peaks and we will see the neighboring giant volcanoes such as Cayambe, Antisana, Cotopaxi and many more. We will do the initial descent from the summit rappelling and the final descent will take us approximately an hour and a half to our transport. We will have our return journey that will take approximately one more hour, so we will stop for lunch before leaving you again at the starting point at your hotel or place of your choice.

MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT (INCLUDED):

• Helmet.
• Harness.
• Shared Equipment (rope, carabiners, cord). 

CLOTHING REQUIRED (NOT INCLUDED):

Three layers of clothing for the legs and torso:
• Base layer: Thermal clothing for body and pants (usually made of synthetic material).
• Second layer: Warm jacket and pants, preferably water repellent (goose down, fleece or polar type).
• Third layer: Waterproof jacket and pants (in case of rain).
• An extra thermal or jacket (in case of extreme cold).
• Backpack between 25L and 35L.
• Gloves.
• Factor 4 sunglasses (with UV protection).
• Buff.
• Thick socks.
• Sunscreen.  

In case you do not have something from the list of personal clothing, Mauna Expeditions can provide you with the rental or sale of said accessories.

The services included in the cost of the program are:

✓ Registration and preparation for the best experience of your life.
✓ Guidance for the ascent with certified guides (ASEGUIM/UIAGM), one guide for every 2 people.
✓ Private door-to-door transportation for the entire day of the tour.
✓ Entry Permits. 
✓ Adventure video about the experience in the program.
✓ Mountain equipment (specified above).
✓ Lunch on the way down on the day of the ascent.
✓ Thermo of Mauna Expeditions.
✓ Buff of Mauna Expeditions.
✓ Lunch Box and hydration for the ascent.

The following services are NOT included in the cost of the program:

X Clothing and personal equipment.
X Airplane tickets.
X Hotel or hostel in Quito or place of preference.
X Life insurance or against some type of accident.
X Other expenses NOT specified in our program.
X Tips.

1 person: 
2 people: 
3-5 people: 
6-10 people: 
11-24 people:

To book a tour and set prices depending on the number of adventurers coming, please contact us CONTACT US.

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION OF THE PROGRAM

To book the ‘Climbing Cerro Puntas Volcano’ tour, Mauna Expeditions requires a payment of 25% of the cost of the program. Full payment must be made up to a maximum of two weeks before the start date of the tour. We do not send vouchers or confirmation messages until full payment for the program is made. Our team reserves the right to cancel the tour if the full payment is not made until the start date of the program.

The Mauna Expeditions team has put a lot of effort into organizing your program. Therefore, any cancellation must be made at least 21 days in advance. After 21 days, Mauna Expeditions may make a 50% refund depending on the cause of cancellation. Any cancellation notified less than 21 days from the start date of the program will be charged a penalty of 100% of the value of the program.

COSTS

Costs vary depending on the size of the group. A minimum of 1 person and a maximum of 24 people are required to make the ascent. For costs information please CONTACT US.

RECOMENDATIONS

Mountaineering is a high-risk sport, where we are exposed to conditions on extreme occasions. We do not recommend doing this activity for people with asthma or some kind of heart condition. The level of difficulty of the program is demanding and there is nothing that interests us more than your safety and that you enjoy our program without any external problem.