Climb one of the country’s most majestic peaks. Cotopaxi is an active stratovolcano with a perfect conical shape.
This program is for climbers who want to get well acclimatized before the big Cotopaxi ascent.
In 6 days we will climb to the top of 3 mountains and 2 mountain huts. We recommend good fitness health to ensure you enjoy the Cotopaxi Climbing experience.
Includes:
- Private transportation in guide´s car
- Local certified English/Spanish Mountain Guide IFMGA (International Federation of
Mountain Guide) or ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides) / ratio 2 climbers – 1 guide - Accommodation in hotels (double occupancy) José Ribas and Nuevos Hotizontes Huts
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary (B: breakfast, BL: box lunch, D: dinner)
- National Park fees
- Transportation, accommodation, meals for guide
Excludes:
- International flights
- Single supplement
- Not mentioned meals and beverages
- Glacier, climbing and extra trekking gear (we can assist with the rental)
- Travel Insurance
- Extras and services not mentioned above
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Itinerary in 7 Days
Early arrival in Quito and visit the Equator line and the Intiñan museum. Overnight in the hotel.
Pasochoa volcano (4200 meters high) is an extinct caldera, located southeast of Quito, which today is a sanctuary of wildlife. The drive to the begining of the hike is beautiful as it goes through a nature preserve. In a clear day, we can admire the surrounding snow capped mountains such as Antisana, Cayambe, Illinizas, Cotopaxi and even Chimborazo far away. It will take about 5-6 hours to go up and down. It is a perfect choice for a first climb to acclimatize and to prepare for larger mountains list.
Transfer to El Chaupi by late afternoon. Overnight in the lodge (B/BL/D)
Drive up until we get to “La Virgen parking lot” (12,795ft/3.900m). Once there, we will start a 3-hour hike up to the “Nuevos Horizontes Refuge” (15,580ft/4.700m). The hut is in saddle between Iliniza Sur and Iliniza Norte.
We will relax for the rest of the afternoon.
Dinner will be served by late afternoon. (B/BL/D)
Our climb begins at 5 am to begin our ascent through this rocky. . We will have a light breakfast, pack our climbing equipment and leave the refuge an hour later.
The approach to the top involves an easy 3-hour scrambling. This peak offers stunning views of all the major summits of the Avenue of the Volcanoes.
Overnight in El Chaupi (B/BL/D)
Drive per about one hour up to the Cotopaxi parking área, from 2900m to 4500m; from here, we get our gear ready and hike up for an hour to the shelter. In the afternoon head up to the glacier for ice practice and training. We will learn some basic techniques on how to handle the climbing equipment (rope, crampons, ice axe).
Dinner and early rest in preparation for the climb of Cotopaxi the following night/day. (B,BL, D)
We will wake up at midnight to get ready. At around 1am, after a light breakfast, we will start our adventure up to the top (19,347ft/5.897 m). The climb will take us about 6 to 8 hours. Our goal of ascension is to reach the summit when the sun rises to enjoy the magnificent colors and views.
Once at the summit we will take our time for pictures of the crater and surroundings and then we will head back to the refuge in 2 to 3 hours.
At the refuge we will rest, pack our belongings, have something to eat, drink and go down to the parking lot, from here, we return back to Quito. (B/-/-/)
Transfer to the airport to take your flight back home (B/-/-/)
