Cotopaxi (02 Days)

02 Days/01 Nigths
Max. Altitude: 5897 m / 19,347 ft
Route: Cotopaxi: 5897 m / 19,347 ft
Availability: All year
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate
People per Guide: 2

The still active volcano Cotopaxi (Indian: neck of the moon) is one of the most popular mountains in South America and lies in the national park of the same name. It is characterized by particularly stable weather conditions, which makes it accessible all year round. The volcano is famous for its perfect cone shape, on its summit you have a fabulous view of the crater, with its 800 m diameter and 300 m depth, it is really impressive. The ascent is classified as technical due to the required glacier equipment and altitude. Prerequisite for the ascent is a very good acclimatization, excellent condition and experience with crampons and pimples. In any case, you will be impressed by this imposing glaciated volcano

Itinerary

Day 01: Quito - Refuge Jose Ribas 4800m /15,748ft
We meet in the morning, where we will check the equipment for the ascent. Departure to the south, after a good hour's drive we have lunch and then drive to the entrance of the Cotopaxi National Park. After registration, we have a scenic drive to the parking lot at 4,600m/15,091ft ahead. From there we hike for 45 minutes. to the mountain hut Jose Ribas. This retreat is on the north side of Cotopaxi. In the afternoon we recover and prepare our equipment for the nightly ascent. Later we will have great pictures of the sunset. We have an early supper and go to bed before boarding one of the most colorful mountains in Ecuador.

Day 02: Summit Cotopaxi 5897m/19,347ft - Quito
We leave at about midnight. We hike for about an hour through scree slopes to the glacier. We follow a few steeper sections (45 degrees) until after 4 hours we reach the Yanasacha wall (5.700m/18,700ft). From there we go about 2 hours to the summit. At the summit, we admire the crater and further to the south the impressive volcanoes, including Chimborazo. After enjoying the view, we descend to the refuge and the car park, where we return to Quito. Total walking time: 9-11 hours.

What’s included

• Private transport during the tour (4x4)
• 1 Certified English Speaking Mountain Guide (IVBV or ASEGUIM / AGMP - UIAGM)
• additional Mountain Guides (ratio 1:2)
• Meals as listed in the program (B = breakfast, BL = box lunch, L = lunch, D = dinner)
• Night at the refuge Jose Ribas
• Entrance fees and permits in the national park
• 24/7 help and support

• Not listed meals, as in the cities or outside the mountain program
• Additional activities or visits not listed in the program
• personal Mountain equipment (mountain boots, clothing, ....)
• Extra drinks and alcoholic beverages
• Insurance of any kind (We highly recommend!!)
• Tips

WHAT TO TAKE:

• 45 liter backpack
• Leather or shell mountain boots
• Gore-Tex jacket, pants and gloves
• leggings
• Glacier glasses with 100% UV protection against the strong equator sun (possibly goggles)
• Headlamp and batteries
• helmet
• Warm or thermo clothing
• Thermos flask and further drinking bottle
• Sleeping bag (comfort range min. -5 degrees C)
• Hood and buff and possibly storm mask
• Suncream and lipstick
• Camera and extra batteries

technical equipment

• Gloves (Good gloves)
• Crampons
• Harness
• Ice axe