Climb one of the country’s most majestic peaks. Cotopaxi is an active stratovolcano with a perfect conical shape.
To ensure you enjoy the Cotopaxi Climbing, we recommend you to do this program if you have a good previous acclimatization in Ecuador. Visit our acclimatization packages.
Quito
Cotopaxi Volcano
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 at José Ribas Hut
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary (B: breakfast, BL: box lunch, D: dinner)
- National Park fees
- Transportation, accommodation, meals for guide
Excludes:
- International flights
- Accommodation in Quito or other city
- Single supplement
- Not mentioned meals and beverages
Itinerary in 2 days
Early in the morning, we pick you up from your hotel in Quito and drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until we reach the entrance of the National Park. 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. (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)