Refugio Cayambe | Established Campground

February 24th, 2024 by poudredescampette.com

About the road: the first 8km are paved and accessible by any kind of cars. After that it is a gravel road, until the first carpark at 4600m small rig should be able to access (there are just 2 turns that go up dry). To access to the refuge at 4800m 4wd is required. On the WE we saw 4WD going around. On the paved road we saw a condor and 2 deers.
To camp at the refuge you have to get a permit 48h before to come.
The hike from the refuge to the glacier is WONDERFUL! One of our best hike of our trip! The landscapes are SO beautiful! I really recommend it. It is possible to go until 5000m if we walk around 50m on the glacier (not really risky).

July 27th, 2019 by schmutzandhonig

EDIT: Only two weeks later (Aug 10) we came back and the conditions were 100% different and improved. The road is hard packed and dusty. The more difficult “4x4” section was repaired and there was a lot of local traffic.
Original entry- Conditions are currently very wet. Just beyond the half way point up the good portion of the road there are 4 sections of very soft, deeply rutted (40cm deep), mud.
As others describe, the last section of the road (which is really only about 1.5km max) is steep, rock strewn and sometimes very narrow. It is a “4x4” route.
Beyond that it was not possible to drive right up to the refugio. You would park just below in a large flat of volcanic sand and walk the last 3-400 meters.
Otherwise, the conditions were harsh with strong winds and cold temperatures. Dress accordingly. Take the time to hike to the small (very small) glacial lake. The views of the peak and surrounding area are worth it.

December 1st, 2018 by tyler7099

We were able to make it to the refugio in our Ford F-250 - definitely do not attempt without 4WD. Cold and quiet evening. The glacier hike is definitely worth doing in the morning with (hopefully) clear views.

July 17th, 2018 by inour.element

As the previous entry says the road deteriorates into a steep rocky river bed, we parked in the parking area just before. We were lucky and got a ride up to the Refugio and back down to our car with the refugio manager. The day we went the wind was extreme, it was spitting rain/sleet and freezing cold. We had sporadic views of the glacier. Still, this is a must see! Maybe you’ll have better weather.

June 14th, 2018 by jul.nueckel

Free to camp in your vehicle or own tent if you are "bien lejos" of the refuge. Found a flat space in some dark sand/gravel a couple hundred meters away. Nice views of the glacier!
Road up is in good shape until the last kilometer. Turns into riverbed style of track. We had problems with our 250 cc bike, loaded with two persons and luggage because the bike was struggeling with the height. You can leave your vehicle in a "parking" before the hard part begins or if your bike has the same probelms try without airfilter. We were able to push/run the bike up to the refugio though. Took us 1 and a half hours from Cayambe, half an hour spend on the last meters ;)
We drank the water from tap in the refugio and still alive.

February 3rd, 2018 by Flip Flop Cowboy

Great place to camp in the shadow of Volcan Cayambe. Really nice refugio, good clean bathrooms, no shower.

The road up is really good until the last few km. We aired down and used 4-lo, but I think it was in better shape for us than for some of the previous posters. Easily accessible by any stock 4x4 with a little careful driving. The drive up is spectacularly beautiful.

The "hike" to the glacier is really more of a rocky scramble. It took me about 40 minutes to the top, but was definitely worth it. Take the main "rocky" trail up, then the "wind protected" trail back down for a nice short loop with great views of the mountain and the valleys below.

November 15th, 2017 by Calderescapes

We got here in late afternoon in the fog! The last km is the worst and required 4x4, locking difs and good driving for our 5 ton rig. Took two hours from city of Cayambe. Super quiet.

September 2nd, 2017 by Tucks' Truck

Top Tip: don't go on a weekend!!! Full of locals who can't handle their 4x4s and get stuck, blocking the top end of the route. The last section really does need not only a good, high-clearance 4x4, but a competent driver too 😀.

May 4th, 2017 by Overland The Americas

As previously mentioned, the road is really bad especially the last 3-5km and 4x4, high clearance is highly recommended. There's a flat lot right in front of the refugio where you can park and camp at. It gets very cold (freezing temperatures at night). Altitude sickness is a real concern if you're not previously acclimatized. You can hike for an hour to the base of the glacier and even check a small glacial lake called Laguna del Silencio. If you have a clear day you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the glacier arms and the summit!

March 28th, 2017 by travelamateurs.com

4x4 and high clearance required. We visited in rainy season and encountered several deeply rutted mud areas. Last few kilometers include a rocky riverbed type trail and had a few sections where we had to fill in deep ruts with rocks to avoid bottoming out in our Toyota pickup with good clearance. Park attendant mentioned that people often hire a 4x4 ride or hike the last couple kilometers to the refuge. Very nice building. Only snack food and drinks available when we visited. The glacier hike was amazing!

February 3rd, 2017 by AshLivin.com

Really nice refuge with incredible views of the glacier. Free to camp. $14pp for a bed. Bathrooms and restaurant. It was about a 2.5-3 hour drive from Otavalo, and most of it is a dirt road. The road is really bad for the last 5-6km so 4x4 and high clearance is definitely required. If you're like us and didn't want to pay the $$ to summit the glacier, you can follow a sendero to the base of it to get a little hiking in. Refuge is at 15,100ft so it's COLD.