2-day Cotopaxi Volcano ascent

Join Fernando, an ASEGUIM certified guide, on this 2-day Cotopaxi Volcano ascent. And reach to the amazing crater of this active volcano!

 
 

Details

 

Trip Duration

2 days

Mountain Range

Andes

People per Guide

2 people

Trip Level

Sustained

Offer Period

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Type of Trip

Not specified

Highlights

 
     

    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 actives in the planet. It’s located 50 km south of Quito, in the Cotopaxi National Park in Ecuador. And its name means moon neck it the aymara language.

    This ascent is not a technically difficult one, but you’ll need some glacier climbing experience. So I’ll teach you the basics of this technique in the afternoon of the first day, so you’ll have the right knowledge for the next day. I’ll show you how to use the crampons, ice axe and ropes correctly.

    One of the most amazing features of this trip is that we’ll get up at midnight of our second day of travelling 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.

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    Price per person

     
    Group of 1
    540 USD
    Group of 2
    320 USD
    Group of 3
    380 USD
    Group of 4
    280 USD
     

    Price includes

     
    • Guiding fee
    • Accommodation
    • Transport during the trip
    • Permit and entrance fees
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
     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.
     Cancellation Policy
     

    Itinerary

     
    • Day 1: Quito (2800 m) - José Ribas mountain hut (4862 m) - Glaciar School (5100 m) 

      We’ll start at 9.30 am from Quito and we’ll drive south through the Volcanoes Avenue to the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. From here will drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (4500 m). Then we’ll hike up for around an hour to the Jose Ribas mountain hut (4800 m). In the afternoon we’ll head up to the glacier for ice practices and training and then back to the mountain hut for dinner and rest.

    • Day 2: José Ribas mountain hut (4862 m) - Summit Cotopaxi (5897 m) – Quito (2800 m)

      We’ll wake up at midnight will and the departure around 1 am.  The climb will take us about 6 to 8 hours. Once at the summit we’ll take our time for pictures and then head down to the mountain hut, which it will take us 2 to 3 hours.We’ll 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.

     
     

    Other details

     
    Skill level required

    Intermediate

    Fitness level required

    Fit

    Meeting point

    Quito.

    Accommodation

    Jose Ribas mountain hut.

    More info

    You can rent equipment.

     

    About the Guide

     
    Fernando Iza

    Fernando Iza

    Mountain Leader

    • 11 reviews
     

    ASEGUIM Guide from Ecuador.

    I was born and raised in Cotopaxi Province – Ecuador and know the country’s peaks intimately. I have a great mountaineering experience of more than 12 years of climbing in all Ecuador, and I also climbed in South America, Switzerland and France.

    I worked for the Nuevos Horizontes refuge on Ilinizas Volcano from a young age and have a professional Guide Training, and I am officially Licensed as Natural guide organized by Ministry of tourism.

    Some of the guiding courses I attended are:

    * Mountain Guides Course by ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides),
    * Mountain Guides Evaluation by ENSA (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d'Alpinisme) in October 2006. An event organized by the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador and ENSA of France
    * Pre-Course UIAGM an event organized by ASEGUIM and ENSA (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d'Alpinisme)
    * First Aids course, Ecuadorian Red Cross

    I live and manage a hostal and lodge in El Chaupi, a beautiful mountain village an hour south from Quito, just in between Illinizas Ecological Reserve and Cotopaxi National Park. It looks like a typical swiss town in the Alps, and has everything to become a great mountaineering center, the ‘Chamonix or Zermatt of South America’!

    I speak fluent Spanish, English, and little German, French, Hebrew and kichua.

     
     

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    What People are Saying

    • 2 reviews

     

    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.
    Read review
    Bryan McBride
    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.
    Read review
    Mike Burkus
     

    Other trips in Cotopaxi Region

    South Illiniza
    North Illiniza
    El Altar
    Cotopaxi
    Corazón
    Chimborazo
    Cayambe
    Antisana

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