GUNUNG · Ecuador

Tungurahua

Volcán Tungurahua

Information

Elevation: 5.023 m
Country: Ecuador (EC)
Location / Range: Cordillera Oriental (Eastern Andes), Tungurahua Province, Ecuador — within Sangay National Park (UNESCO World Heritage)
Mountain type: Stratovolcano (active)
Volcanic?: Yes — volcano
Coordinates: -1.4670, -78.4420
Difficulty: Strenuous (glacier and snow climbing; crampons and ice axe required; extreme altitude of 5,023 m; an ASEGUIM-certified guide is required)
Best Season: June–August and December–February (Andean dry seasons; climbing activity depends on volcanic status — monitor IGEPN bulletins before going)
Permits & Rules: A certified ASEGUIM local guide is mandatory for foreign climbers; a Sangay National Park entry permit is required; climbing is only allowed at Yellow volcanic status (Level 2) or lower — monitor IGEPN (Instituto Geofísico Escuela Politécnica Nacional) bulletins
Hazards: High active volcanic activity: toxic gas emissions, volcanic ash, pyroclastic flows, and lahars; glacier crevasses on the summit route; extreme nighttime temperatures (below −10°C at the summit); sudden weather changes; the trail can close at any time without notice if activity increases

Description

Tungurahua (5,023 m), nicknamed the 'Throat of Fire' (from the Kichwa for throat of fire), is a steep-sided active stratovolcano in the eastern cordillera of the Ecuadorian Andes, rising more than 3 km above its northern base just about 10 km south of the resort town of Baños de Agua Santa. It lies within Sangay National Park and is one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes, with recorded eruptions since 1557 and an almost continuous eruptive episode between 1999 and 2016. Before 1999 its summit was glacier-capped and climbed as a PD-grade snow/ice route; the first ascent was in 1873 by Wilhelm Reiss and Alfons Stübel. After activity intensified in 1999 the ice cap melted and the summit zone became too dangerous to climb, so tourism shifted to lower trails, the 'Ruta de las Cascadas' cycle route, and viewpoints around Baños. Activity is monitored by Ecuador's Geophysical Institute (IGEPN) and must be checked before approaching; as of 2026 the volcano is on low-level monitoring with no active eruption.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Aproximación desde Baños — Mirador Bellavista (Jalur Santero/Observasi)

Mudah–Sedang

4.00 km +300 m 1–2 jam

For visitors wanting safe views of Tungurahua, several miradors around Baños offer spectacular volcano views, especially during high-activity periods when ash plumes or lava flows are visible. A leisurely walk to Mirador Bellavista from Baños (~4 km, 1–2 hours) is a popular option for observing the active volcano without entering the hazard zone.

Source

Jalur Pondoa ke Refugio (Pendakian Parsial / Non-Summit)

Sedang

7.00 km +1000 m 3–4 jam satu arah

For visitors not aiming for the summit, the trail from Pondoa to the Refugio Garganta de Fuego (3,800 m) through tropical cloud forest is a rewarding hike in its own right. Views of Tungurahua's flanks from the refuge are spectacular. This option is more flexible regarding volcanic alert levels — accessible even at Red alert since it does not approach the crater. A guide is still recommended.

Source

Ruta Normal via Pondoa (Jalur Standar)

Berat

14.00 km +2223 m 2 hari (Hari 1: 3–4 jam ke refugio; Hari 2: 4–6 jam PP puncak)

The standard Tungurahua route starts at the Sangay National Park entrance near Pondoa hamlet (~2,800 m). Day 1 follows 3–4 hours through dense tropical cloud forest to the Refugio Nicolás Martínez / Garganta de Fuego (3,800 m). Day 2 departs the refuge around 3–4 a.m., climbing sandy and rocky slopes to the 183-m-diameter summit crater at 5,023 m (4–6 hours). A certified ASEGUIM guide is mandatory; ascent is only permitted at Yellow alert level or lower.

Route Segments

1

Pondoa → Refugio Garganta de Fuego

↔ 7 km ↑ 1000 m ⏱ 3–4 jam 3.800 mdpl

Hutan awan tropis; jalur basah dan berlumpur saat hujan; sumber air tersedia di refugio
2

Refugio → Puncak Tungurahua

↔ 3 km ↑ 1223 m ⏱ 4–6 jam (PP ~8 jam total) 5.023 mdpl

Lereng berpasir terbuka; salju/es di dekat puncak; krampon dan ice axe wajib; summit push dimulai pukul 03.00–04.00

Source

Climbing Experiences

Tungurahua (5,023 m), 'Throat of Fire' in Quechua, is Ecuador's most active volcano and one of South America's most frequently erupting. Climbers highlight the tension of ascending a live volcano, the lush cloud forest on the lower flanks, and the cold dark night before an early-morning summit push.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.