9 Days Cotopaxi Volcano Expedition

Archivo Dammer

Cotopaxi at 5.897 m/19.347 ft is the second tallest mountain in Ecuador and one of the highest active volcanoes in the world! This beautiful, glacier covered volcano lies two hours south of Quito inside of the Cotopaxi National Park surrounded by gorgeous Andean landscapes.

Climbing Cotopaxi does not require prior highly technical knowledge, since it is a travel glacier ascension. However, this iconic climb requires proper acclimatization and being in very good shape, making this the most climbed peak by non-experienced adventurers and experts mountaineers around the world.

If you are passionate for hiking and mountaineering, this expedition will be an amazing experience you will always remember! Besides the experience of climbing the giant COTOPAXI and other amazing volcanoes of Ecuador, you will also know the Andean cultural richness reflected in the colorful indigenous markets, beautiful colonial towns, old haciendas and Andean farm lands.

Height: 5897 m
$2,190.00 USD
Mountaineering
Fitness Level
Skill Level
Days

Servicio válido para 2023.

Tour 9 Days Cotopaxi Volcano Expedition

Day 1: ¡Welcome to Ecuador!

A Tatoo Expeditions representative will meet you at Mariscal Sucre airport to accompany you to the hotel in Quito. Depending on the arrival time, we can recommend some activities or you can simply rest to start the expedition the next day!

MEALS: Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Quito

 

Day 2: Quito City Tour (2.850 m / 9.350 ft)

This first day in Quito, we will walk around downtown, touring through the colonial part of the city, which is the largest and best preserved colonial downtown of America. This area was declared first Cultural Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO in 1978 and is undoubtedly a place you should not miss visiting in Ecuador.

After lunch, we will drive to the Teleférico on Pichincha, a giant rocky volcano that stands in front of Quito. There we will take a cable car to the mountain’s moor at 13.100 ft / 4.000 m, which offers a spectacular view of Quito and the surrounding volcanoes. During this day, we will also check some last details of the expedition, help you prepare everything and buy any other supplies that you may still need. 

MEALS: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Quito

 

Day 3: Cuicocha Hike (3.500 m/11.480 ft) 

We will start our acclimatization process hiking around Cuicocha Lake, located at 10.170 ft / 3.100 m in Imbabura Province two hours north of Quito. This is a short but beautiful hike in one of the most gorgeous places of Imbabura, also known as the Lake Province. Cuicocha Lake is the ancient crater of the Cotacachi Volcano, the highest point in the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve. The hike travels along the surrounding crater edge that shelters the lake, rising to 3.500 m/11.480 ft at the highest point, where we will have a beautiful view of the Yerovi and Wolf volcanic domes. After the hike, we will visit Otavalo and the Plaza of Ponchos, the largest artisan market in Latin America known for wonderful handmade arts and crafts. 

MEALS: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Quito
 

 

Day 4: Rumiñahui Volcano (4.630 m/15.190 ft)

Rumiñahui is an active volcano inside of Cotopaxi National Park.  This rocky mass, whose Quichua name means “Rocky Face,” has three main summits; the tallest being the north with an elevation of 4.722 m/15.492 ft  On this occasion, we will ascend from Limpiopungo Lake towards the central summit of 4.630 m /15.190 ft which is surrounded by beautiful scenic views of mountains and great expansions of moor. 

MEALS: Breakfast + Box Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Countryside Hotel in Cotopaxi

 

Day 5: Corazón Volcano (4.780 m/15.682 ft)

This extinct volcano is located inside of the Illinizas Ecological Reserve in the western Ecuadorian Andes. We will drive to the southeast flank of this beautiful mountain to start hiking at 3.700 m/12.140 ft through the moor until take the southern ridge, which has enjoyable rock sections with amazing views. Finally, after approximately 4 hours of ascend we will reach the summit! 

MEALS: Breakfast + Box Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Countryside Hotel in Illinizas

 

Day 6: Northern Illiniza (5.126 m/16.818 ft)

This day, we are ready to make our first climb over 16.500 ft / 5.000 m! The Illinizas are two peaks left by the original volcano located within the Illiniza Ecological Reserve.  Northern Illiniza, is beautiful rocky mountain of 5.126 m/16.818 ft that offers the opportunity to reach this height without much technical difficulties. 
We will start the ascend hike at 3.900 m/12.800 ft by through the moor until get until get a steep sand ridge until get the Nuevos Horizontes hut in between the two peaks at 4.700 m/15.400 ft. After a break, we will start the final climb with some easy scramble rock passages that will take us to the summit! 

MEALS: Breakfast + Box Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Countryside Hotel in Illinizas

 

Day 7: Cotopaxi Glacier School (5.000 m/16.400 ft) 

This day we will drive to the foothills of Cotopaxi Volcano at 4.600 m / 15.100 ft. From this point we will hike to the José Ribas hut at 4.800 m/15.748 ft to get ready for practice basic techniques for glacier travel. In the afternoon, we return to the lodge to prepare equipment and rest for a while. Then an early dinner at 18:00 and sleep, since we will wake up at midnight to attempt the summit! 

MEALS: Breakfast + Box Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Hut in Cotopaxi

 

Day 8: Cotopaxi (5.897 m)

We will wake-up at midnight, dress up and have breakfast. The ascent hike start around 1:00 and takes approximately 6-7 hours to get the summit depending on the pace. After enjoy the summit for a while start the descent that takes about 3 hours. 

Once in the hut, we will have time to have a nap and then pack up everything and start the hike down to take the car. On the way to Quito, we will have a well deserve farewell meal and some beers the end of this amazing program! 

MEALS: Box Lunch + Lunch + Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Quito

 

Day 9: Extension Program or Transfer Out

If you do not have an extension program in Ecuador, we will take you to the airport to take your trip back home.

MEALS: Breakfast + Box Lunch + Dinner

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Quito City Tour 
  • Cuicocha Lake (Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reseve)
  • Rumiñahui Volcano and Limpiopungo Lake (Cotopaxi National Park)
  • Corazón and Illinizas Volcano (Illinizas Ecological Reserve)
  • Cotopaxi Volcano (Cotopaxi National Park)
  • Andean communities and towns
  • Andean farming life
  • Flora and fauna of moorlands

INCLUDED

  • Airport transfers

  • Arrival day lodging and meals in Quito

  • Transportation for the entire program

  • Bilingual certified guides (ASEGUIM/IFMGA)

  • Meals indicated in itinerary 

  • Safe drinking water during the whole program

  • Accommodation in countryside hotels and huts during the whole program

  • Permits and park fees

  • Climbing gear: helmet, harness, mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axe, rope and carabineers

 

NOT INCLUDED

  • Flight tickets

  • Travel Insurance

  • Extra sports and alcoholic drinks

  • Personal expenses

  • Tips

REQUIRED

  • Travel or duffel bag for all equipment and personal stuff.

  • Day backpack for the acclimatization hikes and climbs (25-35 L)

  • Comfortable, warm clothing (1st and 2nd layers)

  • Rain jacket and rain pants (3rd layer)

  • Winter hat and/or face mask

  • Thermal and waterproof gloves*

  • Liners and thermal socks (1st and 2nd layers)

  • Cap, sunglasses and sun screen

  • Hiking boots

  • Gaiters*

  • Headlamp* with extra batteries

  • Personal grooming kit

  • Sleeping bag*

  • Change of clothes and shoes

  • Bottles or thermos to refill water

*You can rent this gear with us

 

RECOMMENDED

  • Trekking poles
  • Sport drinks

  • Extra thermal gloves

  • Dry bags to protect personal stuff

 

 

9 DAY COTOPAXI VOLCANO EXPEDITION
DAY ACTIVITY DISTANCE TIME FITNESS LEVEL SKILL LEVEL HIGHEST ELEVATION LOWEST ELEVATION ELEVATION GAIN
1 ARRIVAL TO ECUADOR
2 QUITO CITY TOUR
3 Cuicocha Lake 13 km / 8 mi 5 hrs easy novice 3.460 m / 11.350 ft 3.100 m / 10.170 ft 550 m / 1.800 ft
4 Rumiñahui Summit 11 km / 6.8 mi 6 hrs moderate begginer 4.630 m / 15.190 ft 3.900 m / 12.800 ft 770 m / 2.525 ft
5 Corazon Summit 13.5 km / 8.4 mi 7 hrs moderate begginer 4.780 m / 15.682 ft 3.700 m / 12.140 ft 1.050 m / 3.445 ft
6 Illiniza Norte Summit 11 km / 6.8 mi 8 hrs intermediate intermediate 5.126 m / 16.818 ft 3.900 m / 12.800 ft 1.250 m / 4.100 ft
7 Cotopaxi Glacier School 3 km / 1.9 km 5 hrs intermediate intermediate 5.200 m / 17.060 ft 4.600 m / 15.090 ft 600 m / 1.970 ft
8 Cotopaxi Summit 6 km / 3.8 mi 10 hrs dificult intermediate 5.897 m / 19.347 ft 4.800 m / 15.750 ft 1.100 m / 3.600 ft
9 EXTENSION / TRANSFER OUT
TOTAL
  58 km / 36 mi 41 hrs dificult intermediate 5.897 m / 19.347 ft 3.100 m / 10.170 ft 5.320 m / 17.450 ft

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Before contracting services with TATOO EXPEDITIONS, please read our terms and conditions carefully:

CONTRACTING AND CANCELLATION POLICIES

DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION REQUIRED

When contracting a trip with TATOO EXPEDITIONS the following participant information and documentation is required:

REGISTRATION FORM:

After confirming the payment of the contracted services, you will receive an email with a link for the tour participant to complete the registration form. The registration form contains the participant’s personal, medical and emergency information, which must be filled out in order to participate in the tour with TATOO EXPEDITIONS.

If you want to save the registration form information for future events, you can register and create an account with TATOO EXPEDITIONS, otherwise you can do the whole process as a guest, but you must fill out the form with your data every time. If you created an account when paying for the services of TATOO EXPEDITIONS, enter it to fill out the registration form and register your data.

UNDERSTANDING OF RISK AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY

Together with the registration form you must read and accept the Understanding of Risk and Release of Liability document, which must be signed at the beginning of the tour.

PAYMENTS, RESERVATIONS AND CONFIRMATIONS

TOUR WITH FIXED DATES, PRIVATE TOURS OR CUSTOM TOURS

RESERVATIONS


A tour with a fixed date, private tour or custom tour can be booked up to 61 days before the start date of the tour with an advance payment of 50% of the total value quoted.

CONFIRMATIONS

To confirm a reservation for a tour with a fixed date, private tour or custom tour, the balance of 50% must be paid up to 60 days prior to the tour’s start date.

In case of contracting a tour with a fixed date, private tour or custom tour within 60 days prior to the start date of the same, 100% of the quoted value must be paid.

LAST MINUTE TOUR

A last-minute tour cannot be reserved, 100% of the quoted value must be paid.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:

POLICY FOR CANCELLATION BY THE CUSTOMER

TOUR WITH FIXED DATES, PRIVATE TOURS OR CUSTOM TOURS

Any cancellation must be notified via email to info@tatooexpeditions.com. In case the client cancels the tour, a penalty of the tour price will be charged based on the following policies:

PENALTIES

A penalty will be charged if the tour has been canceled within:

  • 90 days or more: 15% of the total tour value
  • From 60 days to 89 days: 50% of the total tour value
  • From 30 days to 59 days: 75% of the total tour value
  • 30 days or less: 100% of the total tour value

LAST MINUTE TOUR

Any cancellation of a last-minute tour must be notified via email to info@tatooexpeditions.com. There is no return or exchange with other departures for cancellations of a last-minute tour.

TATOO EXPEDITIONS CANCELLATION POLICY:

All departures require a minimum of registrants to undertake the same, in case of not meeting the minimum or in case of cancellation due to force majeure by Tatoo Expeditions, the registration fees may be returned as a credit for future events or by bank transfer of according to what the client requests.

The tour will be reimbursed only and as long as TATOO EXPEDITIONS cancel the tour before its start due to unusual problems or external factors such as: adverse weather conditions, natural catastrophes, strikes, civil disorders, government restrictions or regulations, war, quarantine or others.

TATOO EXPEDITIONS acts directly as a Tour Operator and is responsible for the quality of the services that correspond to the logistics of the tour. However, there are third-party services that TATOO EXPEDITIONS contracts. From a wide range of tourist services, we have chosen the best quality and professional services, however, our responsibility is limited to the terms of the land transport companies, accommodation and food contracts.

TATOO EXPEDITIONS is not responsible for delays, inconveniences, accident expenses or mishaps of any kind, as a result of the total or partial negligence of third parties or causes beyond our control. All these expenses and losses must be borne by the passenger. We recommend that travelers obtain travel and personal insurance to cover these possible mishaps.

PARTIAL CHANGES OF ITINERARY AND CANCELLATION:

For TATOO EXPEDITIONS, safety and health are a priority in our programs. If the conditions of the climate, terrain, roads or other external factors that are under our control jeopardize the normal development of the planned activities, or if the clients are not in good health, physical or technical training; the guides and the agency reserve the right to modify the itinerary at any time in order to protect the integrity of the passengers. Likewise, the right is reserved, to replace the accommodation or means of transport and make changes to the itinerary when deemed necessary.

SURCHARGES

  • All of our multi-day tours include accommodations in double rooms, in case of requesting a single room a 30% surcharge will be made to the value of the tour.
  • Our guides are bilingual (Spanish and English), in case of requesting guides that speak German, Italian or French a 20% surcharge will be made to the value of the tour.

 

 

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