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Cotopaxi is considered one of the world's most impressive volcanoes, renowned for its near-perfect conical shape and stunning glacial slopes. As one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes and the country's second-highest peak, it offers an exciting and accessible ascent. While the climb is not highly technical, a prior glacier course is essential for safety and preparation.
This program goes beyond Cotopaxi, taking you to the summit of Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest mountain and the closest point on Earth to the sun due to the planet's equatorial bulge. This ultimate Andean adventure combines challenging climbs, breathtaking scenery, and an unparalleled mountaineering experience in the heart of Ecuador's Avenue of Volcanoes.
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Itineraries
Day 1
Hike Pasochoa Volcano
We will pick you up at 8:00 am. Then we will drive for two hours to get to Pasochoa parking lot. We will then hike through a large forest and when we are in the middle of it, the 4230-meter summit will appear. There is a steep slope on the ascent, but once there we will have beautiful views. We will drive to El Chaupi village. Overnight at Ilinizas Mountain Lodge.
- Altitude: 4,200 meters (13.779 feet)
- Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Meals: (Box Lunch,Dinner)
- Distance: 11 km (round Trip)
- Duration: 5 to 9 hours (including summit time)
Day 2
Hike to El Corazón Volcano
From El Chaupi village, we will start early in the morning after
breakfast at 7:00 am. We will drive up to the trailhead (13,120ft/4.000m), where we start our hike. The first part of the hike takes us up through the small Andean grass. Then we will get on the sandy and scramble section, which leads to Corazón summit. The hike is about 4-6 hours long. Return to the Lodge.
- Altitude: 4,788 meters (15,708 feet)
- Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 10 km (round trip)
- Duration: 4-6 hour (including summit time)
Day 3
Summit Iliniza North
Our climbing day starts at 5 am. We will have a light breakfast, pack our climbing equipment and leave the refuge an hour later. We will continue hiking up towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then to Illiniza Norte summit (16,818ft/ 5.126 m). The approach to the top involves an easy 3-hour scrambling. Once at the summit, we will enjoy and admire the beautiful
surroundings.
- Altitude: 5,126 meters (16,818 feet)
- Accommodation:Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 10 km
- Duration: 4-6 hour (including summit time)
Day 4
Quilotoa Lagoon Rest Day
We’ll leave from El Chaupi in the morning and drive to Quilotoa Lagoon. During the tour, we will stop at an Indian hut and visit the Tigua community to observe their leather crafts. The tour will take about 4 hours, then we’ll arrive at the viewpoint to admire the crater and lagoon. We will descend along a varying road for about an hour to the bottom of the lagoon, where we can take photos and rest. After lunch, we’ll return to El Chaupi after a 3-hour drive.
- Altitude: 3,914 meters (12.841 feet)
- Accommodation:Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/Dinner)
- Distance: 108 km Transfer
- Duration: 2 (hours hike)
Day 5
Cotopaxi Refuge
From El Chaupi will drive south through the Avenue of the
Volcanoes until getting to the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. From here we will drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (4.500m/14,763 ft) then we’ll hike up for around an hour to the Jose Ribas Refuge. Then we will have dinner and rest until midnight. At this point we will pack our belongings and get ready to make our final ascent.
- Altitude: 4,864meters (15,953 feet)
- Accommodation: Cotopaxi Refuge
- Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- Distance: 1.5 km (from parking lot to refuge)
- Duration: 1 hour hike
Day 6
Summit Cotopaxi
Midnight will be our wake-up time and the departure to the top (19,347ft/5.897m) will be around 01h00, not before having a light breakfast and getting our stuff ready for the ascent, the climb will take us about 5 to 6 hours. Once at the summit we’ll take our time to take pictures of the crater and surroundings, and then we’ll head down back to the refuge, which will take us 2 to 3 hours. Once at the refuge will pack our belongings, have something to eat and go down to the parking lot, where our transportation will be ready to take us to Baños city. Overnight in the hotel.
- Altitude: 5,897 meters (19,347 feet)
- Accommodation: Hotel in Baños City
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
- Distance: Climb 10 k (round trip).
- Duration: 5 to 6 hours to the summit (including breaks) 2-3 Hours Back Down
- Transfer: 3 hours Drive to Baños
Day 7
Baños City Free Day
This is a relaxing day; in this beautiful town you can do different activities that can be purchased on behalf of the passengers. It's a free day its surroundings offer many possibilities like the route of the waterfalls, hikes inside the “cloud forest”, besides, depending on our interest, with an extra cost, we could try rafting, rock climbing, bungee jumping, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc. Night in hotel.
- Altitude: 1800 meters (5,905 feet)
- Accommodation: Hotel in Baños City
- Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
- Distance: (-/)
- Duration: (-/)
Day 8
Chimborazo High Camp
In the morning at 10:00 am we will meet with the guides to drive to the Chimborazo wildlife reserve. We will arrive at the refuge Hermanos Carrel. From there we will start the hike to the High camp in approximately 2 to 3 hours. We get to the high camp once here; we will stay in the Domes. In the afternoon we will prepare and double check all the gear for the climbing. Where we’ll have dinner and get some rest until 23h00. There will be an early light breakfast served just before getting ready with our gear and start heading up.
- Altitude: 5,300 meters (17,388 feet)
- Accommodation: Overnight in 4- season tents
or Domes - Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Distance: 2.5 km hike.
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours (hike including
breaks) - Transfer: 110 Km - Drive from Baños
Day 9
Chimborazo Summit
At midnight we will start our climb to the top of Ecuador’s highest volcano, Chimborazo, which will take us about 8 to 9 hours. We’ll get to the summit (20,702ft/6268) in the early hours, the perfect spot for resting and pictures of the beautiful surroundings. Then we’ll start our descending to the refuge; it will take us from 3 to 4 hours. Once in refuge we’ll pack our gear, where our transportation will be ready to drive up to Quito.
- Altitude: 6,268 meters (20,702 feet)
- Accommodation: Overnight in 4- season tents
or Domes - Meals: (Breakfast/-/-)
- Distance: 9 km (Round Trip)
- Duration: 5 to 7 hours to the summit
(including breaks) - Transfer: 230 km - Drive to Quito
- Mountain Climbing Local Insurance
- Ecuadorian qualified and experienced local Mountain Guide (ASEGUIM/UIAGM ratio 2 climbers -1 guide)
- Technical mountain equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
- Land transportation and transfers
- National parks fees and permits
- Registration in the System SIB (System Information of Biodiversity)
- Accommodation:
- 4 nights at Ilinizas Mountain Lodge
- 1 night at Jose Rivas Refuge
- 2 nights at Hotel Chimenea
- 1 night in Domes (Chimborazo High Camp)
- All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above)
- Tents, and camping utensils for high camp.
- International flight tickets
- Meals and drinks in hotels (lunch, dinner)
- Insurance of any kin
- Hotels in Quito
- Tips
- Travel accident and health insurance
- Luggage insurance and trip cancellation
- Other non-specified expenses
This tour is designed for hikers with good physical condition and some prior experience at high altitude. While technical climbing skills are not required, strong fitness and endurance are essential for summiting Cotopaxi (5,897 m) and Chimborazo (6,268 m).
Yes. This 9-day program includes a carefully designed acclimatization schedule, with warm-up hikes to Pasochoa, Corazón, and Iliniza Norte to prepare your body for high-altitude climbs like Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.
Absolutely. All our guides are ASEGUIM/UIAGM-certified mountain professionals, with years of experience leading expeditions in the Andes. Your safety is our top priority.
We provide technical gear for the climbs, including crampons, helmets, harnesses, and ice axes. A full packing list will be sent upon booking. You should bring warm layers, hiking boots, a backpack, and personal items.
You will stay at comfortable lodges and refuges during the trip, including Iliniza’s Mountain Lodge, a cozy base in El Chaupi. Mountain refuges are used for summit nights on Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.
The tour starts in Quito. We can arrange airport pickup or transportation from your hotel to El Chaupi, where the program begins.
Safety comes first. If weather or health conditions make summiting unsafe, guides will decide the best alternative plan. In some cases, we can adjust the itinerary to maximize success.
Yes! We offer high-quality gear rentals at Iliniza’s Mountain Lodge. Let us know what you need and we’ll have it ready for you.
We offer both private and group departures. Contact us for current availability and group dates if you’d like to join other climbers.
Easy! Just send us a message at info@cotopaxi-travel.com or reach out on WhatsApp at +593 98 133 3483. We’ll guide you through the booking process and answer any questions.