Climb Cotopaxi

Land in Quito, Ecuador’s vibrant capital, nestled at 9,200 ft. After a warm welcome at the airport, transfer to your hotel and rest up before the journey ahead. A short briefing ensures you’re set up for success.

Ease into the altitude with a half-day exploration of Quito’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich with colonial architecture, artisan markets, and lively street life. After lunch, journey into the highlands, arriving in the charming rural village of Isinlivi for a night at a cozy mountain guesthouse.

Today’s hike winds through the dramatic Toachi Canyon. Descend along scenic ridgelines, cross rivers, and pass small villages where locals tend crops and livestock. End the day in the Andean village of Chugchilán at a family-owned lodge.

Embark on one of Ecuador’s most iconic treks. Traverse sandy volcanic trails and climb steadily to the lip of Quilotoa, which hosts a spectacular turquoise crater lake at 12,600 ft. Spend the night in a simple, community-run lodge perched near the rim.

Continue along the crater’s edge before descending through farmlands and valleys toward Tigua. A vehicle meets you for the transfer to Chaupi, a small village at the base of towering peaks, where you’ll rest at a local lodge preparing for your first summit.

Your first summit day begins in Ecuador’s paramo grasslands before moving onto rocky ridgelines. Though non-technical, the climb is steep and steady, providing critical acclimatization and a big confidence boost. Return to Chaupi to rest and refuel.

A shorter day allows for active recovery as you hike gradually to La Virgen basecamp, where stunning views of Cotopaxi, Iliniza, and Corazón await. The team sets up camp and prepares a hearty dinner as stars scatter across the Andean sky.

A true mountain day. Begin early and ascend through varied terrain, from grassy slopes to rocky scrambles. Ropes assist on exposed sections, but no prior climbing experience is required. After reaching the summit, descend and transfer to your lodge in Cotopaxi National Park.

After a short drive and hike to the glacier’s edge, you’ll train in essential mountaineering skills: crampon use, ice axe techniques, and roped travel. This hands-on session builds safety, trust, and readiness. Return to the lodge for a final night of rest before the big climb.

Enjoy a slow morning and lunch with sweeping volcano views. In the afternoon, hike to the José Ribas Refuge. Settle in, hydrate, and rest, because the summit push begins at midnight.

Set out under starlight. Crampon your way across crevassed glaciers and past the striking rock wall of Yanasacha. The final pitch is steep, but the reward is beyond words — sunrise from the summit of one of the world’s highest active volcanoes. Descend, regroup at the refuge, and return to Quito.

Enjoy a slow morning in Quito, explore a café or market if time allows, and then transfer to the airport for your onward flight: tired, proud, and forever changed by the mountain.