Cotopaxi 5 days

ROMMEL VÁSQUEZ

This itinerary is designed for those who seek good acclimatization before the great goal, Cotopaxi. We will visit three iconic summits during our preparation. Ruco Pichincha, a perfect mountain to begin to acclimatize, where a cable car takes us up from the city to 4,000 meters in just minutes. Rumiñahui, or “The Stone Face” in the native language, located within Cotopaxi National Park, will allow us to enjoy a whole day with Cotopaxi behind us Illiniza Norte, for many the first 5,000 and a mountain where we will encounter a little more technical and alpine terrain. Finally, we close this trip reaching for the summit of the highest volcano in the world, Cotopaxi.

Height: 5897 m
$1,499.00 USD
Mountaineering
Fitness Level
Skill Level
Days

Servicio válido para 2023.

Tour Cotopaxi 5 days

Day 1: Ruco Pichincha - 4,794 masl

In the morning our guide will pick you up from your hotel in private transport and you will be off to the foot of the Pichincha, a mountain massif located west of the city of Quito. From here we will climb by cable car from 3,200 meters to 4,000 meters, where will start our trek to the summit lasting approximately 3 hours for the ascent and 2 hours for the descent. We will go back to the city to have lunch and tour the Colonial Center of Quito, one of the most picturesque and best preserved in Latin America.

Accommodation: Hotel Selina or similar

Food: Lunch

Day 2: Rumiñahui - 4,721 masl

We will leave Quito early in the morning, heading south driving along the avenue of volcanoes for an hour and a half until we leave main road and go into Cotopaxi National Park. We will arrive at the Laguna de Limpiopungo where our trek to the central summit of Rumiñahui begins. We will walk along paths surrounded by typical páramo vegetation, later sandy areas and finally a bit of rocky terrain. The ascent lasts approximately 4 hours. The descent, which lasts about 2 hours, is special since it is a perfect balcony overlooking Cotopaxi, rising directly across the valley of Limpiopungo.

Accommodation: Chuquiragua Lodge or similar

Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Illiniza Norte – 5,100 masl

We will leave our lodge very early in the morning given that a long alpine journey awaits us in Los Illinizas. After approximately half an hour of travel we will arrive at the parking lot of "La Virgen" located at 3.950 MASL. Here begins our walk lasting approximately 5 hours, which will start on a simple path crossing an old Polylepis forest, then a rocky ridge with a direct view of Cotopaxi, through a extensive sandy area up to the Nuevos Horizontes refuge, located at 4,700 meters. From here the terrain becomes more technical with a long alpine ridge leading us to the beautiful summit of Illiniza Norte. For the descent, we will take the direct route through a long and fun sandy zone that leads us directly to the forest path and parking lot. Finally, we will go down to our transport to rest in our lodge.

Accommodation: Chuquiragua Lodge or Similar

Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Tambopaxi - 3,800 masl

In the morning we can be relaxed and rest before leaving mid-morning to Tambopaxi Lodge, at the foot of Cotopaxi. Here we will have lunch and prepare all the necessary equipment for our great ascent. After having dinner early, we will go to rest as soon as possible, since our summit attack starts very early.

Accommodation: Tambopaxi Lodge or similar

Alimantación: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Cotopaxi - 5.897masl

Near midnight, we will go to the summit in our transport. After 30 minutes we will start our walk at 4,500 masl. From here we will climb calmly and safely to be at the summit shortly after dawn, where we can celebrate standing on top of the highest active volcano in the world.

We then go back to our transport and on to Tambopaxi and then Quito, where our services end leaving you at your hotel.

Accommodation: Not included

Food: Breakfast and lunch

Included

  • Certified and bilingual guides. (ASEGUIM / UIAGM)
  • Private transport
  • Cable car tickets
  • Food specified according to the itinerary
  • Accommodation specified according to the itinerary
  • Entry and operation patents.

Not included

  • Airplane tickets
  • Drinks
  • Additional services not mentioned in the itinerary
  • High mountain or personal trekking equipment (we can facilitate equipment rental)
  • Travel and/or accident insurance
  • Tips
  • Taxes

Necesario

  • Mochila 30 – 40 Lts (capacidad para todo su equipo)
  • Botas de alta montaña
  • Piolet
  • 1 mosquetones de seguro
  • Casco (de montaña)
  • Crampones
  • Gafas con protección UV
  • 2 pares de media (1 medianas – 1 gruesas térmicas)
  • Pantalón térmico
  • Pantalón impermeable
  • Camiseta térmica
  • Saco mediano (fleece o similar)
  • Chompa de pluma
  • Chaqueta impermeable
  • Termo de agua 1.5 – 2 Litros
  • Linterna + pilas extras
  • Polainas
  • Arnés
  • 2 pares de guantes

Recomendado

  • Cámara de Fotos
  • Protector Solar
  • Dinero Extra
  • Botas de media montaña para los días de aclimatación