Two-day mountaineering tour to Cotopaxi Volcano

The Cotopaxi is an active stratovolcano located in the Latacunga Canton, Ecuador. With an elevation of 5,897 meters, it is the second highest volcano in the country and one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. It is 50 km south of Quito and is part of the Andes.

As the geographer and explorer Alexander von Humboldt said, the Cotopaxi is the most beautiful of all the huge mountains of the Andes. It is a perfect cone covered by a white layer of snow that shines with the sun, contrasting with the blue of the sky.

Now you have the chance to get to the top of Cotopaxi in this 2-day trip, under expert guidance. The adventure begins at the José Ribas Refuge, at an altitude of 4,895 meters. The ascent to the top starts at dawn of the second day, and most of the hike is at night. This allows us to get the best ice conditions and climb more easily.

To reach the summit we have to cross stretches of volcanic sand, glaciers and snow trails. The first part is an hour hike to the glacier, where we put on the crampons and start the ascent. In certain stretches there can be rockfall, so we have to be careful. At a good pace, we will reach the summit after 4 to 6 hours of mountaineering.

From the top of Cotopaxi, the scenery is spectacular. If the sky is clear, we get an unforgettable panoramic view of Cotopaxi National Park, a protected area. Its ecosystem hosts several species of trees, mainly pines, but also cypresses, firs and ash trees. In the quiet forests live animals such as the white-tailed deer and a lot of species of small birds.

If you want to test yourself with this great mountaineering experience to the summit of Cotopaxi, contact me. I will be glad to show you the peace environment in this stunning volcano! You will never forget it!

And if you feel up to the challenge to reach the summit of another wonderful volcano of Ecuador, come and try my Chimborazo Volcano 2 Day Guided Ascent.