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Cotopaxi summit with acclimatization, 5 volcanoes in 7 days (Ecuador)
Climb 5 different and impressive volcanoes in 7 days, guided by Fernando, an ASEGUIM mountain leader. Let him share with you his passion for mountaineering and his love for Ecuador.
Highlights
Reach the summit of 5 volcanoes in 7 days with an expert guide.
Discover the unrivalled beauty of Cotopaxi, along with its incredible views.
Take a glacier travel course, included in the price of this expedition.
Description
Follow me on this mountaineering adventure to the summit of some of the most impressive volcanoes on Earth! Explore Cotopaxi, Pasochoa, Corazón, Illiniza Norte and the Quilotoa Lagoon on this 7 days journey.
Each one of the volcanoes we’ll visit has their own personality and wonderful sceneries. So each day, we will live a completely different adventure.
To reach Pasochoa we’ll drive through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, a scenic route that crosses the ecuadorian mountain range. Then, our next goal will be the summit of Corazón, which translates to heart in english. Corazón has two summits, and a hill in the shape of a heart, thus its name. Also, it is home of a dazzling green turquoise lagoon. Thereupon we’ll visit the equally mesmerizing Quilotoa Lagoon, and Illiniza Norte, a stratovolcano that stands out for its beauty. Moreover, it is the perfect ascent to acclimatize for our main goal during this expedition: Cotopaxi.
Cotopaxi is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful volcanoes on Earth! It is one of the most active volcanoes as well. And it’s the second highest one in Ecuador. The ascent is not highly technical. But participants must take a pre-climb glacier travel course, which can be done the afternoon prior to our ascent. On this course, you’ll learn about the use of crampons, ropes and ice axes. Finally, we’ll attempt to reach the summit departing at midnight. We will stand at the top of Cotopaxi right after sunrise, around 6:00 am. So we’ll get a hypnotizing view of the area, hard to compare.
Would you like to come with me on this journey? Request to book this trip and let me guide you to these marvellous places in Ecuador.
Looking for a shorter trip? Check this full day trek in Cotopaxi National Park.
Accommodation Mountain refuges and hostels. |
Meeting point Quito |
Photos
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito 2800m - Pasochoa 4200m - El Chaupi 3300m
Around 8 am we leave Quito. After that we’ll drive through the Avenue of Volcanoes until the Pasochoa Parking Lot. Thereupon we’ll hike and ascend steep slopes to reach the summit of Pasochoa. And at the end of the day we’ll return to El Chaupi.
Day 2: El Chaupi - Corazón Volcano 4788m
After breakfast we’ll drive to the trailhead where we’ll begin our hike, which will take us through small Andean grasslands. Later, we’ll reach a sandy scramble section that leads to the summit of Corazon. Finally, we’ll return to the hostel for dinner and to rest.
Day 3: El Chaupi - Nuevos Horizontes Refuge 4700m
Early morning, after breakfast, we’ll head towards the Nuevo Horizontes mountain hut, located between Illiniza Norte and Sur. The ascent to the hut will help us acclimatize for our next target: Illiniza Norte.
Day 4: El Chaupi 3300 m - Iliniza North 5126m
Once more we’ll start our day early. After a light breakfast we’ll pack up and head towards Illiniza Norte. Upon arrival to the top, we’ll descend and trek towards El Chaupi.
Day 5: El Chaupi 3300 m - Quilotoa Lagoon 3914m
We’ll leave from El Chaupi in the morning. Then we’ll drive towards the Quilotoa Lagoon. On the way there, we’ll stop at the Tigua community. Then, we’ll reach a viewpoint to observe the crater and its lagoon. Thereupon we’ll descend to the lagoon. Finally, after lunch, we’ll return to El Chaupi.
Day 6: El Chaupi - Refugio Jose Ribas 4862m - Glaciar School 5100 m
We will depart from El Chaupi, driving through the Avenue of Volcanoes until we reach the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. Then, we’ll drive to the Jose Ribas Refuge. Later that afternoon we’ll have our glacier training course.
Day 7: Refugio - Summit Cotopaxi 5897 m – Quito
At midnight we’ll leave to the summit of Cotopaxi, having breakfast on the way. After 6-8 hours we’ll reach the top. Then we’ll begin our descent, back to the refuge and the parking lot, where our private transportation will be waiting to drive us back to Quito.
About the guide
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 about Fernando Iza
Adam Burrage
5.00
December 2019
Dick Fields
5.00
December 2019
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Barbara Matter
5.00
July 2019
The traveller did not leave a comment.
The Reality Twister
4.00
March 2019
Fernando is an excellent and knowledgeable guide, and the itinerary is a nice balance of climbs and recovery time, including time to explore a couple of cities. He also made sure we were well-equipped for the climbs. The guides are geared more toward getting you up and down than toward building any technique. It\'s not billed as an instructional course, so that\'s not a complaint -- just pointing it out for those who like to use one experience to build to another rather than just reach the summit.
Chase Taylor
4.00
March 2019
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Bryan McBride
5.00
July 2018
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 Burkus
4.00
July 2018
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.
Gareth Treharne
5.00
June 2018
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Luis E Valdes
5.00
February 2018
It was a great experience. Everything was very well arranged and taken care of. The guide (Fernando Iza) was extremely professional, safe, and friendly. I was very happy about everything, and would recommend booking with Fernando Iza for any hiking trip on Ecuador.
Marcela Hronesova
5.00
January 2018
The traveller did not leave a comment.
Great experience climbing with Fernando: Well organised and we made the summit with him on Chimborazo. I\'d recommend him for guiding in Ecuador.