Cotopaxi Summit + Acclimatization

Climb Cotopaxi Summit in 6-day tour. This program offers the full Ecuadorian mountain climbing experience, with the opportunity to summit many of the gorgeous volcanoes that lie in Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes, such as Pasochoa, El Corazón and Iliniza Norte. These hikes are also important in preparing your body to summit Cotopaxi, as each hike aids in acclimatization. In preparation for the 2-day Cotopaxi climb, climbers enjoy a relaxing day at Quilotoa Lagoon, hiking around an amazing volcanic crater filled with water tucked into the Ecuadorian highlands. Finally, the trip concludes with Cotopaxi, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world, and one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The climb up to the summit of Cotopaxi is not highly technical, but it does require the use of crampons, ice axes and ropes. Leaving from the refuge around midnight, climbers begin ascending the volcano and will arrive at the top of Cotopaxi after sunrise at 6am.!

 

# Day	Place	Elevation
Day 1:	Hike Pasochoa Volcano	4200 m./13,779 ft
Day 2:	Corazón Volc. Summit	4788 m./15,708 ft
Day 3:	Iliniza North Summit	5126 m./16,818 ft
Day 4:	Quilotoa Lake Rest Day	3914 m./12,841 ft
Day 5:	Cotopaxi Refuge	4864 m./15,958 ft
Day 6:	Cotopaxi Summit	5897 m./19,347 ft

COTOPAXI program DAY BY DAY

Day 1: Hike Pasochoa Volcano

Elevation: 4200 m./13,779 ft

1. We will pick you up at 8:00 am.Then we will drive for two hours to get to Pasochoa parking lot. We will then hike through a large forest and when we are in the middle of it, the 4230-meter summit will appear. There is a steep sloop on the ascent, but once there we will have beautiful views. We will drive to El Chaupi village. Overnight at Andes Alpes base camp.
2. Meals: (-/ Box Lunch/ Dinner)
3. Accommodation: Andes Alpes Hostel & Café
   

Day 2: Summit Corazón Volcano

Elevation: 4788 m./15,708 ft

1. From El Chaupi village. We will start early in the morning after breakfast 7:00 We will be 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. We will have lunch during the hike that is about 6-hour long. Return to the hostel.
2. Meals: (Breakfas/ Box Lunch/ Dinner)
3. Accommodation: Andes Alpes Hostel & Café

Day 3: Summit Iliniza North

Elevation: 5126 m./16,818 ft

• We start early in the morning after breakfast 7:30 We will be driving up to the “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/4.750m). We will relax for couple of minutes and we took the opportunity to put our helmet and harness for continue hiking up towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then head up to Illiniza north summit; it will take us between 2 to 3 hours to get to the summit, the way back to the parking lot it will take us between 2 hours. Drive back to El Chaupi. Overnight at the Hostal or Lodge.
• Meals: (Breakfas/ Box Lunch/ Dinner)
• Accommodation: Andes Alpes Hostel & Café

Day 4: Quilotoa Lagoon Rest day

Elevation: 3914 m./12,841 ft

1. We’ll leave from El Chaupi in the morning and drive the Quilotoa Lagoon. During the tour we will stop at an Indian hut and visit the Tigua community to observe the leather crafts that they make here. The tour will about 4 hours, then we’ll arrive the viewpoint and admire the size of the crater and its lagoon. We will then descend along a varying road which will take us an hour until we arrive at the bottom of the lagoon. There we will take photos and rest, then after lunch we will be back in El Chaupi after 3 hours driving.
2. Meals: (Breakfas/ Box Lunch/ Dinner)
3. Accommodation: Andes Alpes Hostel & Café

Day 5: Cotopaxi Refuge

Elevation: 4864 m./15,958 ft

1. 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/14,763 ft) then we’ll hike up for around an hour to the Jose Ribas Refuge. Then we will have dinner and rest until midnight. At this point we will pack our belongings and get ready to make our final ascent.
2. Meals: (Breakfas/ Lunch / Dinner)
3. Accommodation: Cotopaxi Refuge

Day 6: Summit Cotopaxi

Elevation: 5897 m./19,347 ft

1. Midnight will be our wake up time and the departure to the top will be around 01h00, not before having a light breakfast and get our stuff ready for the ascent, the climb will take us about 6 to 8 hours. Once at the summit we’ll take our time to take pictures of the crater and surroundings, and then we’ll head down back the refuge, which it will take us 2 to 3 hours. Once at the refuge will pack our belongings, have something to eat and go down to the parking lot, where our transportation will be ready to take us to Quito.
2. Meals: (Breakfas/-/ -)
3. Accommodation: 

Services included in the tour cost:

• Ecuadorian qualified and experienced local Mountain Guide (ASEGUIM/UIAGM) ratio 2 climbers -1 guide)
• Registration in the System SIB (System Information of Biodiversity)
• Technical mountain equipment (Mountaineering Boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
• Land transportation and transfers to National Parks
  
• Accommodations in Andes Alpes café 4 nights
  
• Accommodations in Cotopaxi Refuge
• All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above with B: Breakfast, BL: Box lunch and D: Dinner)
  

Not included:

• Personal mountain gear (warm cloths, sleeping bags, sunglasses, head lamp, etc.)
• International flight tickets
• Hotel in Quito
  
• Tips
• Insurance of any kind Travel accident and health insurance
  
• Luggage insurance and trip cancellation
• Other non-specified expenses

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Recommendations:

 

What to Bring?

• 1.- Head torch
• 2.- Helmet (includes)
• 3.- Sun Glasses
• 4.- Buff/ Warm cap  
• 5.- Backpack
• 6.- First layer
• 7.- Second layer
• 8.-Third layer (Waterproof Windbreaks, Waterproof pants)
• 9.- Mittens/Gloves
• 10.- Harness (Includes)
• 11.- Inside gloves
• 12.- Carabiners (Includes)
• 13.- Thermal pants
• 14.- Ice ax (includes)
• 15.- Dynamic Rope (includes)
• 16.- Thermal Lycra
• 17.- Gaiters (includes)
• 18.- Socks Mountain
• 19.- Crampons (Includes)
• 20.- Mountaineering boots (Includes)
• 21.- Sleeping Bag
• 22.- Battery Groups AAA
• 23.- Sunscreen
• 24.- Trekking Poles
• 25.- Thermo / Canteen fro Water
• 26.- Energy bars

 

 

1 Person........... 000 USD
• Group of 2......... 000 USD per person
• Group of 3.........000 USD per person
• Group of 4.........000 USD per person

Price: PLEASE CLICK NOW

 

CONTACT US

Payment

In order to confirm the reservation of any tour service provided by Cotopaxi Travel Company Cia. Ltda. we require a pre-payment of 30% of the tour price. The remainder is to be carried out before climbing tour or travel starts. We will not send confirmations, vouchers or flight tickets until the full balance has been received, and we reserve the right to cancel your trip if full payment is not received prior to the start date.
PRICES, SURCHARGES AND CREDIT CARD CHARGES
All prices we advertise are accurate at the date published/advised, but we reserve the right to change any of those prices prior to booking. Before you make a booking we will give you the up-to-date price of your chosen programme including the cost of any peak-season supplements, upgrades or additional facilities which you have requested.
For all payments made by credit card, a 6% service fee will be added to the cost. The additional costs for every transfer made out to Cotopaxi Travel Company Cia. Ltda. Ecuadorian Taxes and bank transfer fees, will have to be paid by you, the client. We are obligated tu charge 12% IVA for every payment realized by Ecuadorian citizens.

Cancellation by You

Notice of cancellation by you must be given in writing. Should you cancel, the following scale of charges will apply:

• - 30 days or more before the Departure Date = loss of deposit.
• - 29 to 15 days from the start of the trip = 50% of total trip cost
• - Less than 14 days before the Departure Date = loss of 100% of total trip cost,
• unless agreed otherwise with cotopaxi travel due to unforeseen circumstances.

Cancellation by Cotopaxi Travel Company

A trip may be cancelled as a result of unforeseen events and beyond Cotopaxi Travel´s control including but not limited to war, riot, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural Cotopaxi Travel• Calle Guayaquil 6-74 y Sanchez de Orellana- Latacunga - Cotopaxi - Ecuador Terms & Conditions 2 or nuclear disaster, fire, epidemics or health risks, closed or congested airports, ports or stations, changes imposed by re-scheduling or cancellation of transport, adverse weather conditions.

More Info please visit our Terms & Condicitions  

March 2023

March 2023

March 2023

March 2023

Other dates / additional info: Contact us!

Country / Location: Ecuador

In Ecuador you can Climb all year, but these are the seasons

High Season: June to August / December to January
Low season: February to May / September to November

Ecuador is a fantastic destination that offers plenty of options for travel lovers. In addition to the Andes, Galápagos and Amazon Jungle are also part of this amazing land.

Difficulty: Demanding
Places: *Available
Trip-code: Number ►Ec +593
Duration: 2 days
Participants: Minimum: 2 Maximum: 12
Mountain Guide: Fernando Iza
Other dates / additional info: Contact us!

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Legend Booking-information
EZZ - Single room supplement
On this trip, places are still available.
On this trip, only a few places left.
This trip is sold out / closed.

FAQ's

IS NECESSARY PREVIOUS GLACIER EXPERIENCE?
• Having previous glacier experience is not required. We do recommend that you have joined one of our best acclimatization and ascent programs containing instructions and skills that we teach you as previous mountaineering training helps you enjoy the overall experience. Is also important that you try out your mountaineering gear prior to joining this adventure if you don’t have we have for you in our rental equipment shop.
• WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CLIMB COTOPAXI?
• A). In Ecuador you can Climb all year, but these are the seasons - High Season: June to August / December to January - Low season: February to May / September to November
• B). Likewise, weather forecasts are very unpredictable. Therefore, we recommend being prepared for all types of weather.
• DO I REALLY NEED RESCUE INSURANCE?
• We strongly urge you to purchase travel and accident insurance. We recommend Global Rescue for both types of insurance.
• IS COTOPAXI A DANGEROUS MOUNTAIN?
• A). Cotopaxi is a relatively safe climb on the routes we climb. The biggest challenges are the high altitude and people not coming physically prepared. Some groups try to ascend too quickly and do not take the time to acclimatize. We do not have this issue because our itinerary has been carefully planned over years of experience working in low oxygen environments.
• ACCLIMATIZATION IS IMPORTANT AND HOW DO I PREPARE FOR HIGH ALTITUDE?
• A). Acclimatization is the most important and should be taken seriously. Even if you are fit and practice any physical activity, it is important to follow the process for a successful climb.
• B). Firstly, there is some very specific training you should be doing. Learn more. Let’s be clear, always pick the itinerary with more acclimatization built in. After that, you need to focus on mapping out a training plan that focuses on strength and endurance. We will pace the trip at lower heart rates so we can perform for longer periods of time. You still need to be comfortable hiking for 6+ hours. We know that building up the weight you carry in your backpack for hours at sea level builds endurance, strength and cardio which stress tests your body for high altitude. We can help you learn more about how to prepare for your high-altitude adventure.
• WHAT KIND OF GEAR, CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO BRING?
• A). We will provide you with a full detailed itemized kit list so that you.
• SAFE TO BRING AND LEAVE OUR BAGS IN THE BASE CAMP?
• A). Yes, you can leave a bag of items not needed in our base camp. You can also leave valuable items in the safe.
• WHAT ROUTE DO WE CLIMB ON?
• A). Depending on the glacial conditions we will follow the safest route to the top. We also leave from the refuge at 4864 m./15,958 ft for all our summit attempts
• . DO YOU HAVE TRAINING ADVICE?
• A). If you sign up to one of our trips, we can give ongoing advice. We also have training courses in Cotopaxi that you can sign up to.
• CAN I PAY WITH CREDIT CARD?
• A). Yes, you can do it

  TIPS

• Develop a personalized training plan. Mountaineering requires multiple types of training, each focusing on a different need:
• Cardio workouts to improve the overall fitness level of your heart and lungs.
• Interval sessions to boost your ability to process more oxygen with each breath.
• Strength and endurance exercises so you can haul a heavy load and sustain physical output for many hours.
• Balance and flexibility training because you need both for mountaineering.
• Hiking days to extend your training into real-world situations.