Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pasochoa Hike
• Departure from Quito in the morning
• Hike through Andean forest and páramo to the summit
Altitude: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge
Meals: Lunch – Dinner
Distance: ~8 km
Duration: 5–6 hours
⸻
Day 2: Acclimatization & Equipment Preparation
• Short acclimatization hike near the lodge
• Technical briefing and equipment check
• Introduction to basic mountaineering techniques
Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft
Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Duration: 2–3 hours activity
⸻
Day 3: Iliniza Norte Summit
• Early departure to trailhead
• Ascent of one of Ecuador’s most important acclimatization peaks
• Technical rocky sections near the summit
Altitude: 5,126 m / 16,818 ft
Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Distance: ~10 km
Duration: 7–8 hours
⸻
Day 4: Glacier School – Lodge
• Full day glacier training (low altitude simulation / practice terrain)
• Skills development:
• Crampon technique
• Ice axe handling
• Self-arrest
• Rope management
Altitude: ~3,300–4,000 m / 10,826–13,123 ft
Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Duration: 4–5 hours training
⸻
Day 5: Cotopaxi Refuge + Glacier School
• Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park
• Hike to José Ribas Refuge
• Glacier training at ~5,200 m (17,060 ft)
Altitude:
• Refuge: 4,864 m / 15,958 ft
• Glacier: ~5,200 m / 17,060 ft
Accommodation: Mountain Refuge
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
⸻
Day 6: Cotopaxi Summit
• Midnight departure from refuge
• Glacier ascent using ropes, crampons, and ice axe
• Reach the summit at sunrise
Altitude: 5,897 m / 19,347 ft
Duration: 6–8 hours ascent
• Return to refuge and transfer to Quito
Meals: Breakfast
⸻
What’s Included
• ASEGUIM certified mountain guide
• Private transportation (Quito – mountains – Quito)
• Accommodation (Ilinizas Mountain Lodge + Refuge)
• All meals during the program
• Technical mountain equipment:
(boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
• Cotopaxi National Park entrance
• Glacier school training
⸻
Not Included
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Sleeping bag (available for rent)
• Personal clothing
• Tips