The inactive volcano, Chimborazo, is Ecuador's highest summit. Its last eruption is thought to have occurred some time in the first millennium AD. Its summit is the spot farthest from the Earth's centre, although the summit of Mount Everest reaches a higher elevation above sea level. Chimborazo is just one degree south of the equator and the earth's diameter at the equator is greater than at Everest's latitude.

Around and closeby
Under perfectly clear conditions the summit of Chimborazo can be seen from the coastal city Guayaquil. The nearest cities are Riobamba, Ambato and Guaranda. Chimborazo is surrounded by the Reserva de Produccion Faunistica Chimborazo, which forms a protective ecosystem to preserve the habitat for the Andes native vicuña, llama and alpaca.

Getting there
The easiest routes are the Normal and the Whymper routes, both starting at the Whymper hut and leading via the Ventemilla summit to the main summit. A good height acclimatization is highly recommended for this climb. There are two functioning huts, the Carrel Hut and the nearby Whymper Hut. The Carrel Hut can be reached by car from Riobamba, Ambato or Guaranda.