Climbing Cotopaxi in 2 days

Cotopaxi Province – Ecuador

Elevation:

(19,347ft/5.897m)

Difficulty

Intermediate

Duration

2 days

Itinerary

Day 1: Machachi (10,170ft/3.100m) – Cotopaxi Refuge (15,958ft/4.864m)

We will leave from Machachi (10,170ft/3.100m) in the morning and drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until we get to the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. From here we will drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (14,764ft/4.500m). We get our gear ready and hike up for an hour to the José Rivas Refuge (15,958ft/4.864m). In the afternoon we will go to the glacier for ice practices and training. We will learn some basic techniques, which include last but not least proper handling of the climbing equipment (crampons, ice axe, rope, etc). We will go back to the Refuge for dinner and rest (-/-/D)

Day 2: Refuge – Cotopaxi Summit (19,347ft/5.897m) – Machachi 

We will wake up at midnight and depart to the top (19,347ft/5.897m) around 1 am after a light breakfast. The climb will take us about 6 to 8 hours. The first part is about an hour hike to the glacier, where we put the crampons on and start the glacier ascent. Once at the summit we will take our time for pictures of the crater and surroundings and then we will head back to the refuge in 2 to 3 hours. At the refuge we will rest, pack our belongings, have something to eat, drink and go down to the parking lot, from where we return back to Machachi (B/-/-)

Price: Please contact us

Superior service
Private transportation and transfers
Professional Mountain Guide IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guide) or ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides) / ratio 2 climbers – 1 guide
Technical mountain equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
 Accommodation in José Ribas Refuge
All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above with B: breakfast and D: dinner)
A registered and fully licensed Tour Operator
National Park fees and permits registration
Permanent communication through walkie-talkie between guides and office in case of an emergency
Common gear: Ropes, ice screws, snow pickets, rescue gear
Fully First aid kit (Recommended by NOLS WILDERNESS MEDICINE INSTITUTE)
Rescue or evacuation service in case of any incident in the mountains. (Only Company in Ecuador)
Personal Mountain Gear (warm clothes, sleeping bag, sun glasses, head lamp, etc.)
Single supplement
International flights
Meals and beverages at the hotels (lunch, dinner)
Personal insurance
Tips
Other non-specified expenses

Cotopaxi - Ecuador