Hiking to the Chimborazo Volcano Ice Mine

Join us for a hike to the Chimborazo Volcano Ice Mine and learn about an ancient traditional profession in the Ecuadorian Andes.

Hiking to the Chimborazo Volcano Ice Mine

At 7 am, we will pick you up from your hotel in Riobamba and travel to the village of Cuatro Esquinas, located at an altitude of 14,271 feet (4,350 metres). This will be the starting point for our hike to the ice mine of the Chimborazo Volcano.

During our 6-mile (10-kilometre) hike, we will discover the endemic plant life and observe llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas in the Andes valleys. We will share interesting facts about these animals as we spot them.

We will arrive at the Chimborazo ice mine, a historic site that has provided work for local ice workers for centuries. These workers extracted ice blocks for sale.

Here, we will take a break for a picnic lunch, which will include a sandwich, a piece of fruit, and juice. Afterward, we will begin our return journey and drop you off at your hotel in Riobamba by 4:30 pm.

Ice Extraction

If you choose this option, you will attend a demonstration of ice being extracted by an industry expert. We will learn about the business and how locals used to walk for hours to sell the product in the area.