Cotopaxi Summit Climb
Ecuador's iconic glacier cone - 5,897 m, walked not climbed
- 5,897 m active volcano
- ASEGUIM-certified guide
- Technical gear included
- No experience needed
- Departures every day
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Duration2 days / 1 night
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Group sizeRope teams of 2 climbers per ASEGUIM guide
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DifficultyChallenging
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DepartureEcosportour office, Venezuela N11-99 y Carchi, Quito Historic Center (corner of the Basilica del Voto Nacional), 10:30 a.m.
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Departure daysEvery day, with a minimum of 2 climbers (private excursion available for 1 person)
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LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Tour overview
Cotopaxi is the mountain travellers picture when they think of Ecuador: a perfect glacier-capped cone rising to 5,897 m (19,347 ft), and one of the highest active volcanoes on the planet. It sits inside Cotopaxi National Park, 50 km south of Quito.
There are no climbing walls on our route. You walk to the top. That is why Cotopaxi is where most first-time high-altitude climbers begin: no previous experience is required, only good acclimatization and the patience to move slowly on ice.
A private 4×4 takes you to the parking area at 4,600 m, so you gear up there and only carry the essentials on the 45-minute walk to the Jose Rivas Refuge at 4,800 m. In the afternoon your ASEGUIM-certified guide runs a glacier school: crampons, ice axe, rope, harness.
The summit attempt leaves at 00:30 a.m. Seven to eight hours later you stand on the crater rim at sunrise. All technical mountain equipment is included and we climb in rope teams of two climbers per guide.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Quito to the Jose Rivas Refuge (4,800 m)
Equipment check with your guide at our Quito office at 10:30 a.m. We drive south to the town of Machachi for lunch, then continue by 4x4 into Cotopaxi National Park up to the parking area at 4,600 m. You put on most of your gear there, so you do not have to carry everything up the 45-minute trail to the Jose Rivas Refuge at 4,800 m. In the afternoon, briefing and glacier school to handle the equipment, weather permitting. Dinner and early rest.
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Day 2: Summit push (5,897 m) and return to Quito
00:30 a.m.: a cup of tea, packs ready with only what you need, and out onto the ice. Seven to eight hours of slow walking bring you to the summit at sunrise, between 6 and 7 a.m. Descent to the refuge, breakfast, and back in Quito at around 2 p.m.
What's included
Included
- Private 4x4 transport
- ASEGUIM-certified bilingual guide (Spanish/English)
- Meals: lunch and dinner on day 1, breakfast on day 2
- Refuge, bed, mattress and thermal blanket
- Briefing and glacier school, weather permitting
- Technical mountain equipment: plastic boots, crampons, harness, carabiner, helmet, head torch (without batteries), 2-finger outer gloves, gaiters, ice axe, windproof trousers, windproof jacket and rope
Not included
- Extra food and drinks; 2 litres of water per day
- Personal equipment (see what to bring)
- Sunscreen
- Sleeping bag
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- AAA batteries for the head torch (2 pairs)
- Snacks
- Tips
- VAT
What to bring
- Lycra-type base layer shirt and trousers
- Fleece jacket and trousers
- Inner gloves
- 2 to 3 pairs of socks
- Two backpacks: one 40 L and one 15 L
- Buff
- Sleeping bag
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- 2 litres of water per day, plus snacks
- 2 pairs of AAA batteries for the head torch
- Camera
Good to know
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Do I need previous climbing experience?
No. Cotopaxi is where most climbers start their high-altitude activity in Ecuador. There are no climbing walls on the route: you walk to the summit on ice with a certified guide. What matters is arriving well acclimatized.
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How long is the summit push?
Seven to eight hours of slow walking on ice from the refuge. We leave at 00:30 a.m. so you reach the summit at sunrise, between 6 and 7 a.m.
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What happens if I cannot continue?
We climb in rope teams of 2 climbers to 1 guide. If one climber decides to turn back for any reason, the whole rope team descends. In larger groups with more guides, one guide goes down with you and the others carry on.
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Is the technical equipment really included?
Yes: plastic boots, crampons, harness, carabiner, helmet, head torch (bring 2 pairs of AAA batteries), 2-finger outer gloves, gaiters, ice axe, windproof jacket and trousers, and rope. You bring your own clothing layers, sleeping bag and sunglasses.
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Can I climb as a solo traveller?
Yes. Departures run every day with a minimum of 2 climbers, or as a private excursion for 1 person. ASEGUIM regulations require a minimum of 2 passengers per guide.
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Where do we sleep?
At the Jose Rivas Refuge at 4,800 m. Bed, mattress and thermal blanket are included; a sleeping bag is not, so bring your own.
Book this tour
Tell us your dates and we will confirm availability within 24 hours.
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