Cotopaxi (5911 m)

Airfare is not included on this trip, so you are responsible for arranging your own transportation to and from Quito, Ecuador. There is no program scheduled for the first day, allowing you to arrive in Quito at your convenience. Upon arrival, you will be driven to our hotel located in the heart of Quito, the worlds first ever UNESCO Cultural Heritage site. After checking into the hotel you are free explore the city on our own. In the evening, we meet for a joint welcome dinner and go through the program for the next days.

We kick off our day with an exciting dive into Quito’s Old Town, starting at Independence Square, where the majestic Presidential Palace and centuries-old cathedrals await. Wander through the awe-inspiring Church of La Compañia, known for its glittering golden altars, and the historic San Francisco Monastery with its baroque masterpieces. After soaking in Quito’s rich history, we’ll drive up to “El Panecillo” hill for breathtaking views of the city below. After lunch, the adventure continues at the Middle of the World, where you can literally stand on the Equator and explore the fascinating Intiñan museum, showcasing Ecuador’s diverse cultures. In the evening the group is free to explore the city on their own and enjoy one of the many fantastic restaurants Quito has to offer.

Today, we embark on our first climbing adventure up the iconic Rucu Pichincha, a crucial part of our journey that will significantly aid in our acclimatization, greatly increasing our chances of a successful summit on Cotopaxi. After breakfast, we’ll take the scenic TelefériQo cable car from 2,850 meters up to Cruz Loma at 3,950 meters, offering breathtaking views of Quito and the Andes below. From there, we begin our hike through the high-altitude páramo towards the summit at 4,784 meters. At the top, we’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Andean volcanoes, including Cotopaxi, before descending back to the cable car and returning to Quito for our final night in the city.

After a hearty Ecuadorean breakfast, we'll head to Cotopaxi National Park, surrounded by breathtaking mountain landscapes. Our first activity will be the "Glacier School," where we'll check our equipment, play around the glacier with our guides and team, and get comfortable with our climbing party (roped team). This training will help us get ready for the expedition.. After a traditional lunch at Tambopaxi Lodge, we’ll spend the afternoon relaxing, acclimatizing, and exploring the beautiful Andean trails before having an early dinner and resting for the climb ahead.

Our summit attempt begins around 12 AM, depending on weather, pace, and lodge location, guided by professional mountaineers. After reaching the 5,797 m summit (around 6-7 AM), we'll celebrate with stunning views of the Ecuadorian highlands, take photos, and enjoy the moment Afterward, we’ll descend to the Cotopaxi lodge for rest and a warm meal before continuing to our starting point. From there, we transfer to our evenings accommodations in Papallacta, which also happens to be a natural hot spring lodge located close to the Ecuadorian Amazon, where we’ll have time to relax, share our anecdotes, enjoy the hot springs. Our journey concludes with a farewell dinner, sharing stories and experiences from this unforgettable adventure.

Time to say farewell to Ecuador! You will not leave empty handed though — the unimaginable experience of climbing such a majestic volcano will be with you forever — truly a once in a lifetime experience. Today we will transfer from Papallacta to Quito where participants are free to catch their afternoon flights home or onward to another adventure! We are sure to have plenty of suggestions for you!

Many people wish to visit the Galapagos islands to relax on the beach and/or the tropical Amazon jungle to explore the lush ecosystems. Contact us for more information.