Ditch the tropical vacation; join our Epic adventure to K2 Base Camp this summer!
Ditch the tropical vacation; join our Epic adventure to K2 Base Camp this summer!
DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
MAX ALTITUDE: 6,310 m
TOUR DURATION: 13 days
LODGING: Mix of hotels, haciendas, camping
GROUP SIZE: 6-12 people
Welcome to Ecuador: the land of world-class surfing, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Andes Mountains. Ecuador is one of the most bio-diverse countries on earth and one of the most fascinating countries one can visit in South America.
12 years ago, Epic Founder Chris Lininger spent six months exploring Ecuador and fell in love with the country and its people. Now, Chris and Epic Expeditions are heading back to climb Ecuador’s highest peaks (and active volcanoes).
Our goals will be climbing Ecuador’s two major volcanoes: Cotopaxi (5,897m/19,347ft), and Chimborazo (6,310m/20,702ft).
For those of you who have joined us for a multi-day trekking expedition before, this is a great next step to challenge yourself at higher altitudes and attempt new peaks in one trip. If you are new to Epic Expeditions, this trip is a great place to start your adventure journey with us. Climbing Ecuador’s volcanoes is accessible, fun, and a great test for outdoor adventurers.
Are you ready for the challenge?
This Ecuadorian climbing trip is for you if you want to experience…
Dates | Places | Deposit | Full |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 14th - 26th, 2026 | $600 | $3875 |
Whether you’re just curious about this trip or are ready to make a deposit, we’re here for you.
To submit an inquiry or make a trip deposit, please fill out and submit the form below.
As a native of Chile and resident of Ecuador and professional mountain guide for the last 20 years, there is not much Gustavo can’t do.
Gustavo is an IFMGA guide who regularly leads trips around the world. His specialty is in Ecuador and Chile (and soon to be Pakistan for Epic Expeditions!), where he leads multiple expeditions throughout the season every year.
He is the kind of guy that comes down from climbing Cotopaxi, only to go for a run before dinner. We are lucky to have this legend on our team.
Today is the day! Arrive at Quito International Airport and transfer to our comfy hotel in Quito. The team has our first group meeting and briefing as we go over the plan for the next few weeks together.
Your trip leader will conduct gear and equipment checks
Enjoy our first team welcome dinner as you connect with Epic friends old and new over a pint and fabulous local fare.
*If your schedule permits, we strongly advise that you arrive a few days early in Quito to begin acclimating to the altitude.
Accommodation: Hotel in Quito
Today we do an acclimatization hike to Cerro Pasochoa, standing at 4,200 meters (13,780 feet). The Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge, preserved since 1982, offers a glimpse into how Ecuadorean mountain landscapes were pre -Spanish times. As we trek through the forest below Cerro Pasochoa, we’ll encounter various tree species such as pumamaqui, polyapis, podocarpus, and sandalwood. Remember how we said Ecuador is diverse? Keep an eye out for the abundant native birds, with over a hundred species in this area.
Accommodation: Hotel in Quito
Our final acclimatization hike takes us to Rucu Pichincha (4,784m/15,696ft), located to the east of Quito in the Pichincha Massif. We’ll begin by taking an epic cable car ride (if available) above the city, followed by a hike on trails through rolling hills, with a few rock scrambles along the way. From the summit, we’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Central Valley, offering a unique perspective of Quito from above.
Later in the afternoon, we’ll journey to a comfortable hotel in Otavalo (Cayambe region).
Accommodation: Hotel in Otavalo
The Illinizas are a pair of volcanic mountains located south of Quito, in the Illinizas Ecological Reserve. The peaks are among the highest in Ecuador, with Illiniza Sur standing slightly taller than Illiniza Norte, at 5248 meters and 5126 meters respectively. The Illiniza Norte requires a little bit of rock climbing expertise in the last approach to the summit, while the rest of the mountain may be climbed as a trekking peak.
We leave the hotel in Quito before lunch and drive for 2 hours to the base of Ilinizas at 3800 meters. We then walk for 2.5 to 3 hours to the hut located at 4700 meters. We’ll walk thru paramo and sand terrain.
Sleeping at this altitude will give us a great acclimatization for Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.
Hike duration: 2.5 – 3 hours
Distance: 5 km; 900 meters+
Accommodation: mountain hut
We do an early start leaving the hut at around 6am, to be at the summit of Iliniza Norte at around 8am. We will walk on rock terrain from the hut to the summit. We’ll have beautiful views of Iliniza South, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.
After summiting we will descend back to the Ilinizas base where the bus will be waiting for us. On the way back we don’t go back to the hut.
Hike duration: 4-5 hours
Distance: 6 km; 1320 meters –
Today we shall have a bit of rest with no planned hiking.
We depart from Ilyaku and head towards the Cotopaxi region, staying at one of the fine haciendas or lodges situated on the north side of Cotopaxi National Park in Tambopaxi.
We take this opportunity to reflect on our team’s performance during our climb of Cayambe and to strategize for the upcoming ascent of Cotopaxi. While it’s a well-deserved day of rest, you’ll also have the chance to take a leisurely walk and soak in the views of the area.
*Note in case of closure of Cotopaxi National Park, we will climb Antisana (5,753 meters/18,875 ft) instead.
Accommodation: Hacienda Guesthouse
The morning kicks off with our journey through the “Valley of Volcanoes,” heading east towards Cotopaxi. Along the way, we’ll be greeted by the majestic summits of Ruminahui, Sincholagua, and Quilindana, standing tall in Cotopaxi National Park.
As we ascend to approximately 4,600 meters (15,100 feet), keep an eye out for sightings of wild horses, llamas, and condors.
Our destination is the José Ribas Hut, nestled on Cotopaxi’s flank at 4,794 meters (15,729 feet), accessible after a forty-five-minute climb with our full packs.
Accommodation: Mountain Hut
Summit day #2!
We’ll depart from the hut well before dawn to take advantage of the good snow conditions. Our journey begins on non-glaciated slopes, gradually transitioning to uniform snow and ice ramps with inclines ranging between 30 and 35 degrees. As dawn breaks, we’re greeted by sweeping views of Antisana, towering to the north at 5,704 meters (18,714 feet). Negotiating occasional snow bridges and avoiding large crevasses, we steadily ascend towards the massive summit cone.
Approaching the base of Yanasacha, a 120-meter (400-foot) rock wall, we encounter the formidable bergschrund at the foot of the final glacial slopes leading to the summit. Progressing onto steeper ice faces, reaching up to approximately 55 degrees, we navigate through some of Ecuador’s most classic snow and ice-climbing pitches.
As the gradient becomes gentler, we finally reach the crater rim and continue along easier slopes to reach the summit of Ecuador’s second highest peak. From the top, we’re treated to incredible views of nine major equatorial peaks and the vast Amazon Basin sprawling to the east, with Cotopaxi’s impressive 300-meter (1,000-foot) deep summit crater directly beneath us.
Following our descent, we return to our hacienda in the Central Valley to feast and celebrate yet another Epic day together.
Accommodation: Hacienda Guesthouse
Time to get south again, traversing the renowned “Valley of Volcanoes” via the Pan-American Highway, passing through the towns of Latacunga and Ambato. En route, we pause for lunch before continuing our drive.
By afternoon, we ascend to the eastern slopes of Chimborazo, where we settle into a lodge situated at 3,499 meters (11,480 feet). Nestled amidst grassy plains below Chimborazo, the lodge offers a picturesque setting for us to unwind and admire the panoramic views of the Ecuadorian Altiplano, with Chimborazo and its counterpart, Carihuairazo, standing majestically in the backdrop.
Accommodation: Hacienda Guesthouse
We are on the move again! Leaving the lodge on the eastern side of Chimborazo, we drive across the volcano to its western flank, passing through the town of Riobamba.
The province of Chimborazo is characterized by its hilly terrain and a significant indigenous population. During our journey, we’ll be treated to impressive views of the Chimborazo massif, rolling Andean landscapes, and sightings of wild vicuñas and llamas. By midday, we’ll arrive at the Carrel Hut (4,800 meters/15,700 feet) for lunch.
In the afternoon, we’ll embark on a two-hour hike to the High Camp (5300 meters/17,388 feet). Climbers will carry their personal gear while porters handle water, tents, and food.
As we prepare for our midnight start, we’ll enjoy an early dinner. Despite our stoke building for the summit push ahead, we’ll prioritize rest and try to go to bed early in anticipation of a big ascent the next morning. Depending on mountain conditions, the team may opt to stay at the Whymper or Carrel huts for a direct summit attempt from there.
Accommodation: Tents
It’s summit day, baby!
Starting from High Camp, we’ll trace our path along the Stübel Glacier until it merges with the Castle Saddle at 5,499 meters (18,044 feet). The journey to the Whymper summit typically spans about six – eight hours from camp. As we ascend, the technical challenges lessen, and we’ll find ourselves navigating compact and moderately angled snow for the remainder of the route.
The summit crater area sprawls expansively, usually covered either in soft snow or nieve penitentes formations. Despite being our longest day, our thorough acclimatization from previous climbs will serve us well. The round trip will take approximately 10 to 12 hours, involving traversing ice ramps, snow bridges, and sections of icefall. It’s a fun and dynamic route on an impressively grand mountain.
Following our descent to the Carrel Hut, we’ll continue by vehicle to the lower altitude and return to Rio Bamba.
Accommodation: Hacienda Guesthouse
The normal plan is to return to Quito from Rio Bamba after breakfast. In the event day 13 is utilized as a rest day due to unfavorable weather conditions, then we will push the summit day until day 14. If we climb on Day 14, we will hike out after reaching the summit and then drive back to Quito, where we will spend the night.
Accommodation: Hotel
Alas our Epic odyssey has come to an end. Today is departure day. If your schedule permits, we advise you to stick around in Quito for a few more days to rest and soak in the events of the last few weeks.
Standard checkout form the hotel is around 12 noon on Day 15. We can suggest additional nights’ accommodation for anyone wishing to stay in Quito.
This is a great place to pick up mountaineering if you haven’t already done so. Climbing Ecuador’s volcanoes is relatively straightforward compared to other high-altitude, technical climbs found in regions like the Peruvian Andes, Karakoram, and Himalayas. There will be challenges, but nothing that a strong hiker with the proper support, equipment, and guidance can’t handle.
So long story short: you do not need any technical climbing experience to come mountain climbing in Ecuador with us. Only an affinity for the mountains, great fitness, and a good attitude.
Despite recent political upheavals, Ecuador is generally safe for tourists, including climbers. The majority of the time spent in Ecuador will be outside of urban areas, where crime and unrest are more common.
However, as with any travel destination, it’s essential to take normal precautions to ensure your safety. This includes staying aware of your surroundings, avoiding risky areas, and following any specific instructions provided by your guide and local authorities. This applies not only in the cities, but when we are in the wilds climbing the volcanoes of Ecuador as well.
Joining a climbing tour in Ecuador offers a unique experience compared to other locations around the world due to its diverse range of terrain and ecosystems. As we’ve already mentioned, the opportunity to summit so many high-altitude volcanoes is a rare gift.
Ecuador’s proximity to the equator also means that climbers can experience both tropical and alpine climates during their expeditions. Despite being mostly a tropical nation, you can also find snow 365 days a year in the Andes, not to mention some of the most impressive glaciers outside of the polar regions.
We will be staying in a mix of 3-star hotels, Hacienda-style guesthouses, and mountain huts during the climb plus a few nights in tents when we attempt Chimborazo. In Quito, we will be staying within walking distance of many shops, restaurants, and bars. A nice breakfast is included at every hotel stay. Hotels have been carefully selected to ensure we get a good night’s rest at every stop on our journey!
For Cotopaxi, we will be staying at a beautifully located basic, but comfortable mountain huts located along the climbing route and will be launching our summit attempts directly from the hut. For Chimborazo, we stay at one high camp, the night before our summit push.
Single Supplement hotel room (9 nights): $600 USD
You are not required to carry your full bag with all your gear for any large distances while hiking or climbing on this volcano tour of Ecuador. Most of the time, our gear is transported via jeep directly to that nights’ accommodation.
Porters will present on the ascent to Chimborazo High Camp and guests will only have to carry personal gear in a daypack on this day.
Connectivity and WiFi availability can vary depending on the location of the climb. While major cities and towns in Ecuador typically have reliable internet access, remote mountainous areas may have limited or no connectivity.
That being said, getting cell reception while at one of the high camps is not unheard of.
As we always recommend on any Epic trip, this is a good time to unplug and take a digital detox. It will help you focus on the task at hand (hiking to and climbing Ecuador’s volcanoes) and keep a clear head.
The following meals are included in the trip price:
Dinners in Quito are paid on your own (cost is approximately $13-20 USD per person depending on what you order).
Trip participants need to be in good shape and capable of trekking over mixed terrain for long distances (maximum 8 hours). On average our trekking days are 5 hours per day. Local porters will be present in some cases to help us carry the supplies that will make climbing Ecuador’s volcanoes a comfortable and rewarding experience.
The biggest day will be Chimborazo summit day; when the climb will take between 10-12 hours depending on conditions and your fitness level from high camp to summit and back to high camp. So you will be saving some energy for this day for sure!
For more information, please refer to our trekking fitness guide.
Ecuador’s volcanoes tell a story millions of years in the making. Straddling the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country’s highlands were born from the tectonic collision between the Nazca and South American plates—an ongoing geologic drama that continues to shape its dramatic peaks and deep Andean valleys. These towering volcanoes are not just landmarks but testaments to the immense forces beneath the Earth’s crust, responsible for some of the youngest and most active stratovolcanoes on the continent.
Cotopaxi, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes, has erupted more than 50 times since written records began. Long before modern instruments tracked its activity, Indigenous communities observed its rhythms and wove them into spiritual and agricultural traditions. European explorers first documented Cotopaxi in the 18th century, and by the mid-19th century, climbers like Wilhelm Reiss and Angel Escobar made pioneering ascents—ushering in a new era of climbing expeditions in Ecuador. Today, despite its frequent rumblings, Cotopaxi remains one of the most popular peaks in the Andes, offering both beauty and challenge atop its 5,897-meter summit.
Chimborazo, Ecuador’s tallest volcano at 6,263 meters, is geologically dormant but culturally and scientifically iconic. In 1802, Alexander von Humboldt attempted to climb Chimborazo, reaching higher than anyone had at the time and helping lay the groundwork for modern high-altitude science. Its summit, due to the Earth’s equatorial bulge, is the farthest point from the planet’s center—giving it a mythic status among mountaineers. Modern climbers may still follow Humboldt’s footsteps, navigating glaciated ridges and confronting harsh alpine conditions along the way.
Chat with us now!
Chat with us now!
Trip Leader
Pema is a woman of many talents. The things she has achieved by the age of 30, most people can’t even imagine doing in a lifetime.
Born in Kathmandu, Nepal to Tibetan Parents, Pema moved to the USA at a young age.
A keen interest in mountains, photography, and free diving launched a career of full-time world travel and big-time adventures.
Pema is one of the most experienced members of our trip leader staff. She has summited multiple 8000-meter peaks and completed countless multi-day treks in the Himalayas and Karakoram.
Throw on top of all of that a bright personality who brings out the best in people, and you have the recipe for an excellent trip leader. That’s Pema.
General Manager for Pakistan Operations
“Our man in Pakistan” is one way to describe the legend and our dear friend, Nisar Hussein.
Nisar grew up on the outskirts of Karakoram National Park in the Gilgit Baltistan region of Northern Pakistan. His village, Kanday, is literally at the foot of some of the world’s highest mountain ranges.
He has a deep passion and love for the Pakistani mountains and truly believes in the potential for tourism in Pakistan to be a force for good in local communities.
These days he helps run our Pakistani field operations from his dual bases in Islamabad and Skardu.
Nisar possesses a work ethic beyond compare and is likely behind all of the little details that make our trips in Pakistan so special.
Trip Leader
Hailing from the Toronto region of Eastern Canada, with a background as a former standout athlete (hockey of course) and a love of mountain adventure, Clark is a welcomed addition to the Epic team.
In addition to being a keen photographer and adventurer, Clark brings his brilliant sense of humor, leadership skills, and positive attitude to everything he puts his mind to.
When he is not leading trips, he is working on taking over the hard apple cider game in Canada as a skilled craft brewer.
Meet him during : K2 Base Camp Trek
Trip Leader
Noemi grew up in the mountains of German-Speaking Switzerland where she naturally developed a deep love and respect for mountain environments.
She is a talented photographer, aspiring climber, and speaks at least 5 languages fluently including Arabic (and probably a few more that we don’t know about), which she taught herself in a matter of months by watching YouTube videos.
Noemi has spent the last several years traveling, hiking, and photographing her way around many different countries in the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and Europe, and we could not be more stoked to welcome her to the Epic team!
Meet her during : Discover the Celestial Mountains | Island Peak Climbing Expedition
Adventure Guide
As our man on the ground in Mongolia, there is not much this legend can’t do. As a native the Bayan-Ölgii province of the Western Mongolia Altai, Syerik has been working as a guide and tourism entrepreneur…
for the past several years and is one of the rising stars in Mongolia adventure travel industry.
He is currently building a beautiful Ger (Yurt) camp near his hometown where he will host Epic Mongolia team members on our trip as well as other travelers from around the world!
“
He is the perfect guide for your trip to Mongolia. Serik did an amazing job giving us a well rounded experience in the Altai NP region and down in the Gobi…
The food was fantastic and Serik gave us many opportunities to learn about the Kazakh culture in that region including traditional meals. (I can’t recommend enjoying the milk tea enough!)
– Coastal
Head of canine operations
Choriza started off life as a care-free vagabond on the streets of Madeira Island without any place to call home. From the moment we met her, we knew this dog was just different, and it was pretty much love at first sight.
She gave up the dog street life in favor of joining her new dad Chris to become a full-time member of the Epic family towards the end of 2022.
These days she can be found listening in on the fringes of important Epic business meetings while half-asleep on the couch. She is a keen hiker, lover of mud, rare steak, and might just be the sweetest little dog we have ever seen.
Trip Leader
An experienced trek leader and
IFMGA aspirant ski guide, avid alpine climber, devoted adventure photographer.
Organized and guided trekking expeditions, climbs and ski tours in Tajikistan’s Pamirs, Patagonia, Peru, Morocco, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Georgian and Russian Caucasus and Kamchatka.
A full member and meets the organiser of the British Alpine Club. Visited over 40 countries, lived in the UK for four years. Certified first-aider.
“
We joined Andrew on a fantastic trip to the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan, pure nature and magnificent scenery! Andrey was super prepared and led us safely up and down numerous passes and through some rough and icy cold rivers. Thank you for a very memorable trip, your planning and prep was excellent!
– Monika Steinlechner
Meet him during : Trekking in the Fann Mountains
Adventure Guide
Our man in Nepal, Sandip is what we like to call a “Swiss Army Knife”. There is not much Sandip can’t do when it comes to helping Epic to run our expeditions smoothly in Nepal.
His tireless work ethic, passion for all things trekking in the Himalayas, and smart decision-making mean that Sandip is a truly invaluable member of our team.
Sandip is passionate about showing visitors to his country an amazing time, and he goes above and beyond to make sure that happens.
His company Himalayan Masters is Epic’s trusted partner in Nepal and one of the country’s top new tour agencies.
“
We really enjoyed the entire journey, and I would like to say that Sandip is truly professional. He guided us and he is a hardworking person, providing us with the best service and taking care of each one of us. Plus, he is super funny! The kind of professionnal you always want to find on your path for your explorations!
– Alexandra Ruth
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Our flagship Pakistani adventure tour. Road trip with some hiking and cultural immersion.
A trekking-style tour that features some very remote locations, inlcuding a K2 viewpoint.
Trip Leader
João has born in the mountains of Madeira Islands in Portugal. Nature lover, writer, musician, guide, for him, a day without contact with outdoor vibes is a nightmare.
With a degree in Cultural Studies in Portugal and a Master of Arts in Global Cultures and Creativity in the U.K.
João found out what really matters in life can be found on the trails, and in the contact with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Guiding, crazy trekking missions, and sharing observations about the natural world, – these are some of João’s passions.
After trekking to K2 Base Camp and exploring all over Northern Pakistan, he fell in love with the country and the local people. His experiences resulted in his desire to share these feelings with the world.
João is one of the most experienced guides at Epic and his skillset and positive mindset in the mountains is second to none
When not in Pakistan, João is guiding and exploring in the Madeira Islands trails – discovering some of the hidden treasures on his Portuguese Island.
“
João I can not thank you enough for the off the beaten paths and views you keep giving. Definitely one of the most challenging and amazing hikes we did 1200m meters all the way up to Fanal forest and circling back to the hidden village. Wow!
– Jeffery
Meet him during : Lost World of Europe | Discover the Hunza Valley | K2 Base Camp Trek
Adventure Guide
Sohail is the newest addition to the Epic team and we are beyond stoked to have him on board. As a veteran of the Karakoram and a native of Karimabad in Hunza, there is not much Sohail can’t do in the mountains.
Besides having the ability to speak more languages than we can count, Sohail has explored every corner of Gilgit Baltistan and logs more trekking miles
in a year than most people will do in a lifetime. As of the summer of 2022, Sohail has summited Gasherbrum 1, Gasherbrum 2, and K2 – three of Pakistan’s five 8000-meter peaks. Sohail guides several trips including our annual bespoke expeditions but specializes in Hunza Valley tours.
“
Chris and Sohail, and the team at Epic are FANTASTIC! Highly recommend anyone to do a tour with ‘Epic’. They have the perfect balance of fun, excitement and wild adventures, tied in with being super professional and ensuring your safety/health in a foreign environment. Don’t waste a moment and book a tour with these guys as the value for money is UNREAL!
– Borgan
Meet him during : Discover the Hunza Valley
Trip Leader
Pedro’s been traveling all around the globe since 2009. His keen interests in documentary photography, rural life, and local people from different ethnic groups have been the focus of many of his professional projects.
Since 2012, he has developed his passion for travel and awesome shared experiences into a full-time adventure photography tour leader position.
Pedro has found himself continuously going back to the Middle East, with his likely favorite destination being Iran. Pedro lead his 11th tour in Iran with Epic in spring 2020
When Pedro’s not traveling the world with Epic Expeditions, you’ll find him based in the western south of Portugal planning he’s next adventure missions, logistics and working out his photos in local exhibitions.
“
I loved the combination of hiking, camping around breathtaking scenery mixed with the cultural aspects. The guide (Pedro) is knowledgeable and work very hard to make the trip as memorable as possible. All in all an epic adventure with some extremely epic individuals! Go for it, you won’t regret it!
– Coastal
Adventure Admin / Marketing
After fleeing from the corporate fashion world in Paris towards the start of 2020, Diane has been working as a web developer and graphic designer remotely from various bases across the globe
She brings all of her incredible design and organizational power to Epic Expeditions and is responsible for many of the beautiful behind-the-scenes design elements.
Diane has been to Iran and to Pakistan twice including all over Gilgit Baltistan and KPK.
Head of Operations
A veteran of Pakistan travel, Ralph is an experienced guide, photographer and writer who specializes in documenting remote locations.
Not one to simply go where everyone else does, he insists on exploring new and lesser-known areas.
Together with Epic Expeditions, he shows people parts of Pakistan that most other operators don’t even know about. He is particularly fond of the village of Barah, which he believes will become just as famous as Hunza one day.
“
Just got back from EBT’s Trekking Amongst Giants 15 day tour. The experience was first class. Ralph, our head guide, ensured that the entire trip ran smoothly and relatively on time (a bonus for anyone travelling in Pakistan). We had so many unforgettable days on the tour and the trekking was well-planned, safe but also a rewarding challenge.
– Calvin
“
Traveling to a non-tourist destination can be a little intimidating but EBT takes all of the worry and trepidation away. From the pre-trip call to meeting the wonderful staff in person you can tell that you are dealing with a company that has a passion for what they do each and every day. Ralph, Zahid, and Khan were supportive, kind, and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure that everyone on the trip was getting what they wanted out of the experience.
– Katrina
Meet him during : Trekking Amongst Giants | Discover the Celestial Mountains | K2 Base Camp Trek
Founder | Trip Leader | Director
Since he started exploring the world, Chris has been seeking out every shade of adventure in various parts of the globe and had visited more than 70 countries along the way.
Over the last 10 years, Chris has logged more than 7000 trail miles across five continents and climbed multiple 6000 + 7000 meter peaks in South America, Pakistan, and Nepal.
A few years back, a distant dream and a deep passion for the mountains and the people of Pakistan led Chris to found Epic Expeditions at a time when foreign adventure tourism in Pakistan was almost nonexistent. Since then, Chris has guided more than 65 expeditions to various corners of the earth (and counting).
Chris believes in using community and powerful adventure experiences to dismantle negative stereotypes regarding what mainstream media considers “dangerous” countries while facilitating unique and meaningful memories in the mountains for countless people from around the globe.
For him, an ideal start to the day begins with a steaming cup of good coffee, the beam of a headlamp, alpine boots, and a camera in hand.
Although he is originally a native of Southern California, he now lives in Madeira Island, Portugal, when he is not leading expeditions in far-flung lands.
Chris also works as a writer and photographer on his blog Off the Atlas – an adventure travel blog all about Pakistan.
Read this interview our staff did with Chris to learn more about him!
“
Chris believes in Pakistan and its people, and he believes in the value of journeys shared with others and family cultivated on the road. Honesty and integrity are at the heart of what he does, and this really shines through in his work as a guide. He also makes great coffee – whether at 5am in an empty guesthouse or half way up a Himalayan peak.”
– Will De Villers
“
Pakistan is a magical country! Had 3 of the best weeks of my life thanks to Epic Backpacking Tours with owner, and one of our awesome guides, Chris. From detailed itinerary, preparation with an equipment list, and visa assistance. To amazing food, great porters, helpful guides, and great accommodations. Epic really hit home run after home run. […]
Their desire for adventure and amazing trip is just as high as yours. Bring a good pound of coffee for the trip. French press coffee every morning and no average tin coffee, plus you’ll be in your guides good books.
– Clark Tyler
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