Join one of the guides on ASEGUIM certified guide Fernando's team on this 2-day Cotopaxi Volcano ascent. And reach to the amazing crater of this active volcano!
MOUNTAIN RANGES
Andes
DURATION
2 Days
OFFER PERIOD
All year
FITNESS LEVEL
Fit
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
PAYMENT METHODS
Credit Card, Wire Transfer and more!
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
4.6
Based on 5 reviews
This 2-day Cotopaxi Volcano ascent will take you to one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world.
The Cotopaxi Volcano (5897 m) is one of the most active on the planet. It's located 50 km south of Quito, in the Cotopaxi National Park in Ecuador. Its name means moon neck in the Aymara language.
This ascent is not a technically difficult one, but you'll need some glacier climbing experience.
One of the most amazing features of this trip is that we'll get up at midnight of our second day of traveling to get to the summit at 6 am, shortly after the sunrise. This will give us incredible views of the surroundings with a magical golden light.
I’ll be happy to guide you through this 2-day Cotopaxi Volcano ascent. So send me a request and if you specify all your needs we’ll embark on this amazing ski touring project!
And if you're looking for another mountaineering adventures in Ecuador, please check my Antisana Volcano climb in 2 days or my Chimborazo Volcano 2 Day Guided Tour.
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Permit and entrance fees
Not included: personal mountain gear (warm clothes, sleeping bags, sunglasses, head lamp, etc.), international flight tickets, hotel in Quito, tips, personal insurance, luggage insurance and trip cancellation, oher non-specified expenses.
Secure your spot with just 25% payment
48-hour free cancellation with 30-day advance booking
We will leave Quito early in the morning around 11:30 a.m. and drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until we arrive at the village of El Chaupi. There we will prepare all the necessary equipment for the ascent. We will have lunch at Andes Alpes Restaurant, and then we will continue to the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park. From here will drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (14,764ft/4500m) then we’ll hike for around an hour to the José Rivas Refuge (15,951 ft. / 4862 m.). We will then have dinner and rest until midnight. At this point, we will pack our belongings and get ready to make our final ascent.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Jose Ribas Refuge
Midnight will be our wake up time and the departure to the top (19,347ft/5897m) will be around 1 am, after having a light breakfast and getting our stuff ready for the ascent. At the entrance of the glacier, your guide will explain all necessary tips needed for using crampons and ice axe if needed. The climb will take us about 6 to 8 hours and once at the summit we’ll take our time for pictures of the crater and surroundings, and then we’ll head back down the refuge, which will take us 2 to 3 hours. Once at the refuge we will pack our belongings, have something to eat and go down to the parking lot, where our transportation will be ready to take us back to Quito (9,186ft/2800m).
Meals: Light breakfast pre-ascent and full breakfast after the climb
More info
You can rent equipment.
Meeting point
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
4.60
(29)
Mountain Leader
ASEGUIM Guide from Ecuador
Fernando Iza was born and raised in the Cotopaxi Province of Ecuador and knows the country’s peaks intimately. He is an official ASEGUIM mountain guide with more than 18 years of mountaineering experience climbing in all of Ecuador, as well as in South America, Switzerland, France, and the United States.
Fernando has worked for mountaineering companies in Ecuador, Europe and the United States from a young age. Now, he has set up his own basecamp at Ilinizas Mountain Lodge, right next to Iliniza Volcano, Rumiñahui Volcano, and the famous Cotopaxi Volcano. He has summited Cotopaxi more than 637 times and has summitted Chimborazo Volcano close to 200 times.
Fernando got his degree in Tourism Technology at Cenestur Institute, and in 2021 started studying Business administration with Cuosera.
He has completed important courses such as:
The most spectacular guided tours that Fernando has done.
Languages
German | French | English
Certificates
ASEGUIM
Daniel
5.00
Thank you for putting this trip together for me at the last minute after my group canceled on me. Fernando was a great guide who knows the route up Cotopaxi very well. The meals and lodging were also great and well worth the price, in my opinion.
Benjamin
5.00
Fernando was a fantastic guide who got me to the summit despite extremely difficult weather conditions! I would highly recommend him to anyone hoping to climb Ecuador's big peaks.
Bryan
5.00
Fernando was a wonderful guide. Even though we didn't make it to the top we had a great experience. We plan to return in the future and make it to the top! We hope to have Fernando guide us again.
Mike
4.00
Fernando is a wonderful guide who understands the Cotopaxi route well. I recommend the climb for anyone looking for a tough mental and physical challenge.
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