Chimborazo Refugio #1 | Informal Campsite

March 16th, 2024 by jarakombe_manauara

Spent a beautiful quiet end of afternoon and night here in front of Chimborazo, for free and alone! Looks very safe. When we entered the park, we told we wanted to spend the night. We Filled up some forms and that’s it. They close the gate at 4-5 pm so you can’t get out until 8am. On the next morning. Rangers were super nice and friendly.

February 10th, 2024 by CarterR

Just as described previously - just be warned that if you are camping, MAKE SURE YOU STAKE DOWN YOUR TENT and try and stack rocks around it because the wind will flatten it in the night.

Otherwise, such a sick spot to watch Chimborazo (especially in the evening glow).

April 30th, 2023 by JirkazPodebrad

Still as described, they wont allow anyone to enter after 2pm, but you can stay till 5pm. If you want to spend a night, inform the ranger when you register, they will hand you an extra form to fill.
Road up to the refugio is bumpy, but easily doable with our low clearance 2wd.
There are two parking lots up there. One bigger one and then small by the refugio itself, but there is a gate. If you want to park by the refugio and the gate is closed, just ask the staff, they will open it for you.
The parking lot was paid when we were there, 1 USD. Bathrooms in the refugio also paid, 0.25 USD and they wont let it open for us at night.
Morning views are great and the park only opens at 8am, so before that we had the whole place for ourselfs, hiked up to the laguna with noone else arround.

August 22nd, 2022 by hemagal.lobo

Es un buen sitio para pasar la noche,.muy tranquilo, y solitario, aún que los vientos son un poco fuertes.
es totalmente gratuito.
hay donde llenar los tanques de agua y puedes conectarte a la electricidad 120 voltios
nosotros pasamos dos noches en este lugar

July 31st, 2022 by temm_e

The gate opening hours are now only until 2pm. We had to sign an extra form at the gate to park overnight at the refuge. If this is your plan, mention this at the gate. At 5pm an ranger asked for our camping permission and doublechecked this my phone at the entrance station.

February 19th, 2020 by j0hn.com.ar

Free to place the tent. You can use the refugio facillities for free (bathroom, dinner room with tables and warm place to stay). No problem leaving all our stuff on the tent even though loads of people pass through.

January 27th, 2020 by geryband1

We asked at the refugio and they let us stay next to the house which gave very good protection from the wind and stayed there for free with using the bathroom and let us use our camping gas inside as well in the dinning area

September 28th, 2019 by jasperpauls98

We stayed at the big parking area 200 meters before the refugio with nice views. But it is also possible to stay at the parking in front of the refugio.
It was freezing cold at night -3°C.

February 5th, 2019 by carnetdepassage

no problem for us to camp with the car at the refugio
be careful if you don't ask for using the toilet by night they will keyclose everything around 5pm

January 16th, 2019 by Gran Viaje

we wanted to camp here and when we entered the park at 3:45p the guards told us car camping at the refugio is not allowed anymore and we could only camp at the park entrance.
not sure if this is depending on the guard or time of day but be aware that it might not be possible to camp up here.

August 1st, 2018 by weareoutoftheoffice.com

Great flat spots around the Refugio. Free accès after signing in at the entrance of the volcano / Park. Very quiet and cold! Access to the Refugio for toilets or hot chocolate. Great spot to overnight to be the first to hike the little path to Refugio #2 in the morning.

May 30th, 2018 by lesdebsaroundtheworld

good place for stay a last night after hiking trail in chimborazo. its ok for 2wd camper 7meters.

je confirme , même difficile le chemin est realisable difficilement mais realisable par un camping car de 7 metres et 4 tonnes en 2 roues motrices.

February 14th, 2018 by andersonrachel

4runner/ roof tent. seemed flatter to the right as you approach the refugio. arrived in thick cloud but cleared overnight. straightforward, slow! hike to 5100m. no one else around. back to the car by 8.30ish and cloud came down by 9.30.

January 8th, 2018 by TDOverland

We were lucky and had a great evening and night full of stars but cold.

August 12th, 2017 by Tucks' Truck

Awesome clear skies and views to the summit by moonlight BUT very hard to sleep at 4,800m. Free.

May 22nd, 2017 by travelamateurs.com

Large level parking area about 100m before the refugio. Smaller parking in front of refugio. Free to camp. Ask staff to keep bathrooms open overnight. If not, they will lock the door. Hot empanadas, snacks and drinks available for purchase. Hike to the 2nd refugio is 30-40 minutes + 10 minutes to the small laguna @5100m. Very cold at night.

April 26th, 2017 by AshLivin.com

What a special place! Freezing cold (it's at 16,000ft) but such a beautiful experience to wake up to Chimborazo both mornings. We slept in our tent about 100m before the main parking lot. We didn't summit but there is a short ~45min hike up to a lake. Bathrooms in the refuge are free and always open.

April 26th, 2017 by barefootinajeep

The road is superb! $15usd a night for a bed at the refugio. Free camping. No wifi. Clean toilets. Very, very cold.

February 21st, 2017 by lesmilav.canalblog.com

Parking devant le refuge, possibilité d'utiliser les WC du refuge. Nous n'avons pas essayer de faire le sommet les conditions étaient mauvaises, beaucoup de neige.

September 28th, 2016 by troopytravels.wordpress.com

Stayed here for 2 nights acclimatizing before climbing. Has spectacular views when the the sun is out, otherwise can be cold and windy. Can hike to 5400m without a guide to the base of a glacier, turn right at the 2nd refuge. We organised our guide when we got to the refuge it cost 400 for 2 people, if solo it was to cost 300 (not including food/accom). The agency can be found in Riobamba (Andean Adventures - the owner speaks English) if you want to organise beforehand.

July 26th, 2016 by PHOTOtrail

Fantastic location if you endure cold and altitude easily. Visited with my dog, nobody really checked the van and I have nit seen any sign, not that I was looking for it badly. It's a must place to visit even if you don't skeep up here.

January 9th, 2016 by Theo Heritier photography

It's a great place! Beautiful view! But very cold! It's better than staying at the entrance of the park because you can go to the Refugio which has some clean toilets and a restaurant if you are cold or hungry (food is a bit expensive 7 usd for a meal). The restaurant is opened all night long. The road isn't great. You can take a room in the Refugio for 30usd/person. We didn't stay directly on the parking of the Refugio, but stopped 100meters before, that's why you don't see the Refugio on the picture.

December 6th, 2014 by gringorick

Large flat area near Refugio #1. Free to camp overnight. Rustic restrooms but no other facilities. Very cold at night. It snowed a bit while we were here. Elevation 4860m.