Cotopaxi Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Quito (9,350 ft.)

Arrival in the capital city of Quito. Quito lies on a long and narrow Andean valley surrounded by high volcanoes at an elevation of 9,350 ft. Our guide will be waiting for you at the airport and will take you to the hotel.

• Altitudes: Quito: 9,350 ft.
• Travel times: Airport – Hotel: 45 min
• Accommodations: Hotel with WiFi and cell phone signal

Day 2 – City Tour of Quito (9,350 ft.)

We will spend the day sightseeing in Quito. The northern capital for the Incas, Quito is considered one of the most beautiful of all South American capital cities with its well-preserved colonial architecture and mild climate. We will visit the old town of Quito, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here we can acclimatize to the local altitude while taking an easy walk through narrow streets and historic squares, admiring the old colonial churches and houses. Before returning to our hotel, we will enjoy a great view of Quito from the top of El Panecillo hill. This day is an important foundation for our acclimatization. We will also have a thorough equipment check and orientation. Overnight stay in Quito.

• Altitudes: Quito: 9,350 ft.
• Travel times: Hotel – Old Town: 30 min; Old Town – Hotel: 30 min
• Accommodations: Hotel with WiFi and cell phone signal

Day 3 – Acclimatization Hike of Pasochoa (13,776 ft.)

Easy access from Quito makes Pasochoa (13,776 ft.) a great acclimatization hike. Our private bus will take us up to an altitude of 11,794 ft. From there we will start our three-hour hike to the top of this ancient volcano, where we will see three of the highest snow-capped Ecuadorian mountains: Cotopaxi, Antisana, and Cayambe. Two hours later we will return to the bus and drive to the beautiful Termas Papallacta hot springs. Papallacta has private hot pools in front of every room that are filled daily with perfectly clear hot water from natural hot springs. The spa also offers massages at very reasonable prices. We spend the rest of the evening enjoying dinner and relaxing in the pools. Overnight at Papallacta.

• Altitudes:
  • Mettler Parking Area: 11,794 ft.
  • Summit Pasochoa: 13,776 ft.
  • Termas Papallacta: 10,827 ft.
• Vertical gain (climbing): 1,981 ft.
• Vertical gain (sleeping altitude): 1,477 ft.
• Travel times:
  • Hotel – Mettler Parking Area: 1 hour
  • Mettler Parking Area – Papallacta: 2 hours
• Hiking times:
  • Mettler Parking Area – Summit Pasochoa: 3 hours
  • Summit Pasochoa – Mettler Parking Area: 2 hours
• Accommodation: Resort with WiFi and cell signal

Day 4 – Acclimatization Hike of Corazón (15,704 ft.)

Corazón is another eroded and extinct volcano located southwest of Quito. The name Corazón means “heart” in Spanish and refers to two gullies on the northwest slopes which, when viewed from a distance, appear to form the shape of a heart. The hike takes several hours and is an excellent progression after Pasochoa before we head into the alpine. On a clear day you’ll enjoy views of the Avenue of the Volcanoes, including Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Cayambe, Ilinizas, and Antisana. We then travel to Chuquirahua Lodge for the night.

Day 5 – Hike to Iliniza Base Camp (15,388 ft.)

From Chuquirahua Lodge we drive toward Iliniza. The road ends just below 13,000 ft., where we begin hiking to the Nuevos Horizontes Refuge at 15,388 ft. This beautiful trail starts in lush green grasslands and climbs into the alpine between Iliniza North and Iliniza South. At the refuge we’ll settle in, enjoy lunch and hot drinks, and later review technical climbing skills while continuing to acclimatize.

Day 6 – Summit Attempt of Iliniza North (16,818 ft.)

We wake early for an alpine start and depart the hut around sunrise to climb the South Ridge of Iliniza North. This scenic alpine ridge features sections of Class 3 and Class 4 scrambling with incredible views as we navigate towers and rock formations toward the summit. After enjoying the summit and celebrating our achievement, we descend back to the refuge and continue to the trailhead. That evening we drive to a historic hacienda near Cotopaxi for a delicious meal and a well-earned rest.

Day 7 – Hike to Cotopaxi Refugio (15,900 ft.)

From our hacienda we drive into Cotopaxi National Park and hike from the parking area to the refuge, where we spend the afternoon resting and preparing for tomorrow’s summit attempt.

• Altitudes:
  • Parking Area: 15,230 ft.
  • Refugio: 15,900 ft.
• Hiking time: Approximately 1 hour
• Accommodation: Refugio José Rivas (no WiFi or cell service)

Day 8 – Summit Attempt of Cotopaxi (19,347 ft.)

We begin climbing around 1:00 a.m. The normal route is not technically difficult but is physically demanding, involving moderate glaciated slopes. After reaching the summit, we descend and travel to Baños for recovery.

• Altitudes:
  • Refugio José Rivas: 15,900 ft.
  • Summit Cotopaxi: 19,347 ft.
• Vertical gain (climbing): 3,447 ft.
• Hiking times:
  • Refugio – Summit: 7 hours
  • Summit – Parking Area: 3 hours
• Travel time: Parking Area – Baños: 3 hours
• Accommodation: Resort with WiFi and cell service

Day 9 – Depart Quito

Depending on your flight time, you may have the chance to sleep in, explore the city, and pick up some last souvenirs before we transfer you to the airport for your return flight home. We recommend scheduling a mid-day or early afternoon departure.

• Transfer time: Hotel – Airport: 45 minutes

Itinerary subject to change.