Cotopaxi is the more beautiful Volcano around the World, also is one of the most active volcanoes in the planet , Cotopaxi is the second highest volcano in Ecuador. The climb up to the summit of Cotopaxi is not highly technical, but it does require a pre-climb glacier travel course. You will take part in such a course the afternoon before the ascent. The course includes the use of crampons, ice axes and ropes. Leaving from the refuge around midnight climbers begin the ascent of the volcano arriving at the top of Cotopaxi after sunrise at 6am. We recommend you our Acclimatization Packages to ensure that you enjoy your Climbing Experience!
Day 1: Quito 2800m - Pasochoa 4200m - El Chaupi 3300 m.
We will leave Quito early in the morning around 8am. Will drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until the Pasochoa Parking lot. We will hike through a big forest and when we are in the middle of it, the 4230-meter summit will appear. We will then have to ascend steep slopes to get to the summit, but once there we will have excellent views. Then, we will return to El Chaupi. (BL/D)
Day 2: Quito 2800 m/ Latacunga - Corazón Volcano 4788 m - El Chaupi 3300m
From Quito or Latacunga. We will start early in the morning after breakfast 7:00 We will driving up to the trailhead (13,120ft/4.000m), where we start our hike. The first part of the hike takes us up through the small Andean grass. Then we will get on the sandy and scramble section, which leads to Corazon summit (15,702ft/4788m). We will have lunch during the hike that is about 8 hour long. Return to the hostal. Dinner and Lodging (BL/D)
Day 4: El Chaupi - Quilotoa Lagoon 3914m
We’ll leave from Quito (9,186ft/2.800m) in the morning and will drive the Quilotoa Lagoon; during the tour we will stop at an Indian hut. After we will visit the Tigua community to observe the leather crafts that people make in these place.
The tour will take us about 4 hours later, we’ll arrive the viewpoint where you can observe the magnitude of the crater and its lagoon background.
We will descend along an irregular road; the walk will take us one hour until arrived bottom of the lagoon, there we will have taken photos and rest. After lunch we will back to Quito in about 3 hours driving. (B/BL/D)
Day 5: El Chaupi - Refugio Jose Rivas 4862m - Glaciar School 5100 m
From El Chaupi will drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until getting to the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. From here will drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (4.500m) then we’ll hike up for around an hour to the Jose Ribas Refuge (4,864m). In the afternoon we’ll head up to the glacier for ice practices and training. We’ll learn some basic techniques which will include how to handle climbing equipment (crampons, ice axe, rope, etc). We’ll go back to the Refuge for dinner and rest (B/BL/D)
Day 7: Baños Rest Day
From Quito , we will drive south of Quito until to the Baños de Agua Santa town and its surroundings offer many possibilities like: the route of the waterfalls, hikes inside the “cloud forest”, besides, depending on our interest, with an extra cost, we could try rafting, rock climbing, bungee jumping, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc. Night in hotel (B)
Day 8: Baños - Hermanos Carrel Refuge 4800m
This picturesque town offers you a lot of possibilities to spend an unforgettable midday… You can relax in the famous hot springs . After we will drive to the Wildlife Reserve entrance for about 2 hours, until getting to the Hermanos Carrel refuge (15,744 ft/4,800 m), where we’ll have dinner and get some rest until 23h00. There will be an early light breakfast served just before getting ready with our gear and start heading up (B/D)
Day 9: Summit Chimborazo 6268m - Quito
At midnight we will start our climb to the top of Ecuador’s highest volcano, Chimborazo, which will take us about 8 to 9 hours. We’ll get to the summit (20,702ft/6268) in the early hours the perfect spot for resting and pictures of the beautiful surroundings. Then we’ll start our descending to the refuge; it will take us from 3 to 4 hours. Once in refuge we’ll pack our gear, where our transportation will be ready to drive up to Quito. Overnight and rest at the hotel.(B)
What to Bring?
Bolsa de Dormir 5°C (41°F) (rent for $10) |
Mochila (rent for $10) |
Camelback type vessel for water |
Inside polar gloves |
Energy drinks and snacks |
Camera |
Sun cream |
Head lamp (rent for $10) |
Warm walking trousers |
Sunglasses |
Puffer jacket or similar Wool hat |
Walking sticks |
Face mask |
Large rucksack (50-70 liter) |
Reasonably day pack(35 liters) (needed from the refuge to Cayambe summit to accommodate plenty of water, crampons, warm gear including puffer jacket etc) |
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