Volcán Cayambe is Ecuador's third-highest peak at 5,790 metres, and the highest point on the equatorial line anywhere on earth. The volcanic dome is permanently glaciated, which makes it visually striking from the city below and physically demanding to climb. Unlike the relatively predictable Cotopaxi, Cayambe has a reputation among Ecuadorian mountaineers for unpredictable weather, crevassed glaciers, and frequent icefall on the upper slopes.
The standard route begins at the Ruminahui refuge at roughly 4,800 metres, reachable by vehicle on a rough dirt road from Cayambe. From the refuge, summit attempts typically start around midnight and take six to eight hours return. A guide is essential — the glacier is heavily crevassed and whiteouts come on quickly. Several operators in Quito and in Cayambe offer guided ascents. The surrounding Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve also offers trekking through páramo grasslands without the altitude commitment of a summit bid.