Cotopaxi Summit

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Lodge Class

Basic Refuge

Program Duration

2-3 Days

Activity Level

Challenging

Overview

This overnight climb is focused directly on reaching the summit of Ecuador’s most iconic volcano, Cotopaxi. Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world, and its nearly perfect cone shape makes it an iconic climb. Prior acclimatization is necessary to improve your chances of making the summit. A good fitness level, proper acclimatization, fair weather, and a professional guide all play into a successful summit. The views from the top might just be the best this planet has to offer.

Maximum 2 climbers per 1 guide. We only work with professional, certified, experienced, bi-lingual mountain guides.

Cotopaxi Acclimatization Extension
Cotopaxi-Rumiñahui

This added day, and summit, provide additional acclimatization that will greatly increase your chances of reaching the summit of Cotopaxi. Located in Cotopaxi National Park, Rumiñahui volcano has a summit of 4700m.

Cotopaxi Summit

-itinerary-

10AM pickup from your hotel in Quito. Its about a two hour drive to the base of Cotopaxi volcano. Upon arrival we have a brief ascent of about 260 meters to reach the refuge at 4,810m. We will have lunch and rest up a bit. Following the break we will have a safety meeting and get familiarized with our gear. The afternoon will be spent leisurely at the refuge, where we can enjoy tea and an early supper. You will be given a bunk, and we hope to get some early sleep. Overnight at refuge Meals included: Lunch & Dinner

Depending on weather conditions, and the experience of the climbers, we will depart the refuge between midnight and 1AM. We plan on arrival to the summit at daybreak. The guide will plan a departure time in accordance with current climbing conditions, as to ensure a safe trek, while arriving at an optimal time to enjoy the morning views and allow enough time to safely return to the refuge. It can take 4-6 hours of slow and steady trekking to reach the summit, and the return is generally 2-3 hours. Once back to the parking lot, we will head straight back to Quito for an estimated 3PM hotel arrival. Meals included: Breakfast

This day will precede the Cotopaxi 2-day summit. The same departure time of 10AM from your hotel in Quito will have us arriving in Cotopaxi National Park just before noon. We will arrive to the picturesque Limpiopungo lagoon, where we will have lunch and have a safety briefing. From this point we will begin out ascent to the summit of the volcano. We will hike for 4-5 hours with our journey ending directly at our lodge for the night. The following day we will have a bit of leisure time around the lodge, giving us a chance to meander about and observe some wildlife. We will then have about a one-hour drive where we begin our Cotopaxi summit preparation. Overnight at mountain lodge Meals included: Lunch & Dinner