Climbing Cotopaxi + Acclimatization 6 Day
Experience the ultimate Ecuadorian mountain climbing journey with this 6-day tour, designed to take you through the breathtaking Avenue of the Volcanoes. Acclimatize with scenic hikes up Pasochoa, El Corazón, and Iliniza Norte before enjoying a day of relaxation at the stunning Quilotoa Lagoon. The adventure culminates with a two-day ascent of Cotopaxi, one of the world’s most beautiful and active volcanoes. Though not highly technical, the climb requires crampons, ice axes, and ropes. Departing at midnight from the refuge, you’ll reach the summit just in time to witness a spectacular sunrise over the Andes.
Overview Tour
Day 1. Hike Pasochoa Volcano
Day 2. Summit Corazón Volcano
Day 3. Summit Iliniza North
Day 4. Quilotoa Lagoon Rest Day
Day 5. Cotopaxi Refuge
Day 6. Cotopaxi Summit
Itinerary
Day 1 Hike Pasochoa Volcano
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.
- Altitude: 4,200 meters (13.779 feet)
- Meals: (- / Box Luch / Dinner)
- Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Distance: 11 km (round Trip)
- Duration : 5 to 9 hours (including summit time)
Day 2 Summit Corazón Volcano
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 4-6 hours long. Return to the Lodge.
- Altitude: 4,788 meters (15,708 feet)
- Meals: (Breakfast / Box Luch / Dinner)
- Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Distance: 10 km (round trip)
- Duration : 4 -6 hour (including summit time)
Day 3 Summit Iliniza North
We start early in the morning after breakfast at 7:30 am. We will drive up to the “La Virgen parking lot” (12,795ft/3.900m). From there, we will start a 3-hour hike up to the “Nuevos Horizontes Refuge” (15,580ft/4.750m). After resting, we will continue towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then head up to Illiniza North summit. It will take us 2 to 3 hours to reach the summit. The way back to the parking lot takes around 2 hours. Drive back to El Chaupi.
- Altitude: 5,126 meters (16,818 feet)
- Meals: (Breakfast / Box Luch /Dinner)
- Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Distance: 10 km (round Trip)
- Duration : 6 to 8 hours (including summit time)
Day 4 Quilotoa Lagoon Rest Day
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.
- Altitude: 3,914 meters (12,841 feet)
- Meals: (Breakfast /-/ Dinner)
- Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Distance: 108 km Transfer
- Duration: 2 (hours hike)
Day 5 Cotopaxi Refuge
From El Chaupi, we will drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until reaching the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. From there, we’ll drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (4.500m/14,763 ft), then hike for about an hour to the Jose Ribas Refuge. We will have dinner and rest until midnight before making our final ascent.
- Altitude: 4,864 meters (15,953 feet)
- Meals: (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
- Accommodations: Cotopaxi Refuge (Jose Rivas)
- Distance: 1.5 km (from parking lot to refuge)
- Duration: 1 hour hike
Day 6 Cotopaxi Summit
Midnight will be our wake-up time, and departure to the top will be around 01:00 am after a light breakfast. The climb will take about 6 to 8 hours. Once at the summit, we’ll take time to take pictures of the crater and surroundings. Then we’ll descend back to the refuge, waking about 2 to 3 hours. After packing our belongings and eating, we’ll head down to the parking lot, where transportation will be ready to take us to Quito.
- Altitude: (5,897 meters / 19,347 feet)
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
- Accommodations: –
- Distance: Climb 10 km (round trip).
- Duration: 5 to 6 hours to the summit.
What's Included
- Mountain Climbing Local Insurance
- Ecuadorian qualified and experienced local Mountain Guide (ASEGUIM/UIAGM ratio 2 climbers -1 guide)
- Technical mountain equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
- Land transportation and transfers
- National parks fees and permits
- Registration in the System SIB (System Information of Biodiversity)
- Accommodation:
– 4 nights at Ilinizas Mountain Lodge
– 1 night at Cotopaxi Refuge
- All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above)
What's Not Included
- International flights
- Internacional Insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guides or local staff
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Additional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages (unless specified)
- The costs of delays or changes to itinerary that are beyond the control of Cotopaxi Travel, or its agents are not included.
- Airport taxes
- Visa
Rates 2025 | Adventure Rates
- 1 Person………… USD
- Group of 2……… USD per person
- Group of 3……… USD per person
