Cotopaxi is often considered one of the most stunning volcanoes in the world, renowned for its near-perfect conical shape and breathtaking glaciated slopes. As one of the most active volcanoes in Ecuador and the second-highest peak in the country, it offers an exhilarating yet accessible ascent. While the climb is not highly technical, a pre-climb glacier travel course is essential for safety and preparation.
This program goes beyond Cotopaxi, taking you to the summit of Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest mountain and the point on Earth closest to the sun due to the planet’s equatorial bulge. This ultimate Andean adventure combines challenging ascents, awe-inspiring landscapes, and an unparalleled mountaineering experience in the heart of Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes.
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 slope on the ascent, but once there we will have beautiful views. We will drive to El Chaupi village. Overnight at Ilinizas Mountain Lodge.
Distance: 11 km (round Trip)
Box lunch provided during the hike.
Dinner provided at the lodge.
From El Chaupi village, we will start early in the morning after breakfast at 7:00 am. We will drive 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 Corazón summit. The hike is about 6 hours long. Return to the hostel.
Distance: 8 y 15 km (round Trip)
Breakfast provided at the lodge before the hike.
Box lunch provided during the hike
Dinner provided at the lodge.
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 Lodge.
Distance: 10 km (round Trip)
Breakfast provided at the lodge before the hike.
Box lunch provided during the hike.
Dinner provided at the lodge.
We’ll leave from El Chaupi in the morning and drive to Quilotoa Lagoon. During the tour, we will stop at an Indian hut and visit the Tigua community to observe their leather crafts. The tour will take about 4 hours, then we’ll arrive at the viewpoint to admire the crater and lagoon. We will descend along a varying road for about an hour to the bottom of the lagoon, where we can take photos and rest. After lunch, we’ll return to El Chaupi after a 3-hour drive.
Distance: 108 km (round trip)
Breakfast provided at the lodge before the hike.
Dinner provided at the lodge.
From El Chaupi will drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until getting to the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. From here we 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.
Distance: 1.5 km (from parking lot to refuge)
Breakfast provided at the lodge before the hike.
Box lunch provided during the hike.
Dinner provided at the lodge.
Cotopaxi Refuge (Jose Rivas)
Midnight will be our wake-up time and the departure to the top (19,347ft/5.897m) will be around 01h00, not before having a light breakfast and getting 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 to the refuge, which 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 Baños city. Overnight in the hotel.
Distance: Climb 10 k (round trip).
This is a relaxing day; in this beautiful town you can do different activities that can be purchased on behalf of the passengers. It's a free day 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.
Breakfast provided at the hotel.
In the morning at 9:00 am we will meet with the guides to drive to the Chimborazo wildlife reserve. We will arrive at the refuge Hermanos Carrel. From there we will start the hike to the High camp in approximately 2 to 3 hours. We get to the high camp once here; we will stay in the Domes. In the afternoon we will prepare and double check all the gear for the climbing. 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.
Distance: 2.5 km (hike), Transfer (110 km)
Overnight in 4- season tents or Domes
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.
Distance: 9 km (Round Trip)
Acclimatization Climbing Program
Ecuadorian qualified and experienced local Mountain Guide (ASEGUIM/UIAGM) ratio 2 climbers -1 guide)
A registered and fully licensed Tour Operator
Technical mountain equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
Land transportation and transfers
Accommodations:
4 nights in Ilinizas Mountain Lodge
1 night at Jose Rivas Refuge
2 nights at Chimenea Hotel
1 night in tents (Chimborazo High Camp)
All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above)
Porters, tents, and camping utensils for high camp
International flight tickets
Meals and drinks in hotels (lunch, dinner)
Insurance of any kind
Hotel in Quito
Tips
Travel accident and health insurance
Luggage insurance and trip cancellation
Other non-specified expenses
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