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 already are in very good shape and acclimatized to the altitude, this program allows you to climb the giant Cotopaxi in just 4 days. We will ascend Corazón and Northern Illiniza volcanoes before climb the giant Cotopaxi!
Servicio válido para 2023.
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!
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!
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!
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!
*We can include airport transfers, lodging and meals during your time in Quito.
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 items with us
Trekking poles
Sport drinks
Extra thermal gloves
Dry bags to protect personal stuff
Before contracting services with TATOO EXPEDITIONS, please read our terms and conditions carefully:
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.
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.
POLICY FOR CANCELLATION BY THE CUSTOMER
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:
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.
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