Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito to Central Andes Base Camp
Your adventure kicks off in Quito with a gear check to make sure everything's in order. From there you'll drive up into the central Andes, heading toward your base camp located at 3,125m (10,253 ft) in a converted hacienda. The property has horses, ducks, and llamas hanging around, so it's a nice mix of working farm and climbing headquarters. You'll get settled in and have time to acclimate to the elevation.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch box), Dinner
Included Activities
- Mountain equipment revision and organization
- Drive from Quito to base camp in central Andes
- Day 2
Cotopaxi Volcano Base
This morning involves traveling along the Pan-American Highway to reach Cotopaxi National Park. After arriving, you'll check out the park museum to get some background on the area. Next you'll head to Limpiopungo lagoon sitting at 3,800m (12,467 ft), where you get solid views of the volcanic cone from the water. Later in the afternoon, drive to the parking lot at 4,600m (15,092 ft) and begin your hike to Jose Ribas hut at 4,800m (15,748 ft). You'll have a snack when you arrive, then spend some time practicing with crampons at the glacier around 5,000m (16,404 ft). Dinner comes early so you can rest up before the summit push.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch box), Dinner (Early dinner)
Included Activities
- Drive on Pan-American Highway to Cotopaxi National Park entrance
- Visit national park museum
- Stop at Limpiopungo lagoon at 3,800m
- Hike from parking lot at 4,600m to Jose Ribas hut at 4,800m (approximately 1 hour)
- Crampons training at glacier around 5,000m
Optional Activities
- Drink sunfo or coca tea at national park museum
Landmarks Cotopaxi Volcano Limpiopungo Lagoon Cotopaxi National Park 
- Day 3
Cotopaxi Ascent to Quito
The summit attempt starts after a midnight breakfast. You'll hike across scree fields to reach the glacier around 5,000m (16,404 ft), strap on your crampons, and then climb via Yanasacha (Black Rock) over steep deep snow slopes to the 5,897m (19,347 ft) summit. This push takes roughly 6 to 7 hours depending on conditions. After reaching the top, you'll descend back down to the hut and parking lot. From there, drive back to Quito to finish out the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Small breakfast at midnight), Lunch (Lunch box)
Included Activities
- Ascent to Cotopaxi summit at 5,897m (approximately 6-7 hours)
- Descent from summit to hut and parking lot (approximately 3 hours)
- Drive from Cotopaxi parking lot back to Quito
Landmarks Cotopaxi Volcano Yanasacha (Black Rock) - Day 4
Quito
Your tour ends here. Depending on your plans, you'll either depart for home or continue on to another destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
