Cotopaxy in 7 Days

The 7-day Cotopaxi tour is a comprehensive high-altitude experience in Ecuador, designed for mountaineers and adventurers seeking gradual acclimatization before summiting Cotopaxi Volcano (5,897 m). This itinerary combines culture, high-altitude trekking, and technical training, safely increasing the chances of a successful summit.

What is included in the tour?

• Specialized guide certified by the Ministry of Tourism
• Private transportation
• Accommodation in hotels, lodges, and hostels
• Meals (breakfast, lunch/box lunch, dinner)
• Permits and entrance fees to national parks, reserves, museums, and churches.

What is NOT included in the tour?

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Personal and technical mountain equipment; everything not mentioned is included.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Quito - City Tour - Otavalo
Quito, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the capital of Ecuador. We will visit its historic center with its numerous churches, including the Church of the Society of Jesus (La Compañía de Jesús), the Cathedral, and the Presidential Palace.
In the afternoon, we will take a 2-hour transfer to Otavalo, passing through rose plantations and beautiful landscapes along the way.

Day 2 - Otavalo - Fuyafuya (4260m) - Otavalo
An hour's drive from Otavalo takes us to Mojanda Lagoon (3740m). From there, we hike to the summit of Fuyafuya, which, according to local legend, is the offspring of Imbabura and Cotacachi volcanoes. The 3-4 hour hike is somewhat steep and slippery when it rains, with a 520-meter elevation gain. In the afternoon, back in town, we'll take a short walk to visit Peguche Waterfall, where you can experience local textiles and music. Dinner and rest at the hotel.

Day 3: Otavalo - Imbabura (4630m) - Otavalo
We depart very early in our private transport to La Esperanza, a 1.5-hour drive at an altitude of 3300 meters. We begin our hike through the páramo (high-altitude grassland) and then traverse some rocky sections to reach the summit. The hike takes 6-7 hours. This volcano offers extraordinary views of the entire province. Dinner and rest at the hotel.

Day 4: Otavalo - Cayambe Refuge (4650m) - Glacier School
We have a 2-3 hour drive in our private transport to the refuge at 4600 meters. We hike to the glacier for a training session and practice with our equipment. Dinner and rest at the refuge.

Day 5: Refuge - Machachi
We depart in the early morning towards the summit, aiming for as far as we can go. The summit is optional, depending on our physical condition and acclimatization. If we don't reach the summit, it will be good training for our next attempt. Back at the refuge, we packed our bags and headed to Machachi, a 2-3 hour transport ride.

Day 6 - Machachi - Cotopaxi Refuge (4860m)
With our private transport, we head to the Cotopaxi volcano parking lot, located at 4600m altitude. With all our equipment, we begin the 1-hour hike to the José Ribas Refuge, located at 4860m altitude. In the afternoon, we'll have a short training session to test our equipment on the glacier. Dinner and rest at the Refuge. Elevation gain: 400m.

Day 7 - Summit Refuge (5897m) - Quito
We begin the ascent at 1:00 AM. After 6-7 hours of hiking on the glacier, we'll reach the summit, where we can appreciate its crater and the entire Andes mountain range. Weather permitting, the descent to the refuge takes 2-3 hours. We'll have to cross crevasses and slopes of up to 40 degrees; with good acclimatization and physical condition, this shouldn't be a problem. Once in the parking lot, we returned to Quito with our private transport.