Cotopaxi with acclimatization program

This 5 day itinerary prepares you perfectly for the ascent of the Cotopaxi Volcano (5.897 m). At the beginning (the first 3 days) you will start with the ascent of some smaller peaks so that you can get acclimatised to the altidud and therefore, have a better possibility to reach the summit of the Cotopaxi. The last two days you will spend with the preparation and the climb of the Cotopaxi Volcano. If you have some days free before starting this tour you could do some acclimatisation on your own like going to Papallacta.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Pasochoa – Alberge Cuello de Luna
An excursion to the protected woodland Pasochoa about 30 km south of Quito leads you to the Ecuadorian Andean timber forest. At the same time you get used to the altitude. The entry is at 2.700 m. During the walk you will learn about the typical flora of this vegetation zone e.g. bromeliads, orchids and rare types of cedars up to an altitude of more than 3.500 m. The Cerro Pasochoa is 4.200 meters high and overgrazed with impressing Páramo vegetation. More than 150 species of birds live here. Often hummingbirds can be observed and with a little bit of luck you can even see Condors. In the afternoon you will drive to the Albergue Cuello de Luna that is your acclimatisation centre at the foot of the Cotopaxi. -/L/D

Day 2: Illinizas Norte – Albergue Cuello de la Luna
The peaks of the Illinizas Norte and Illinizas Sur are a mixture of rocks and ice. They are the rest of one volcano and are separated 1 km from each other. From these peaks you will have a beautiful view on the nearby Cotopaxi. In the morning you drive from Cuello de Luna to Tarqui and on to the little village of El Chaupi. From here you follow a country road to the hacienda "El Refugio" and up the slopes of the Illinizas ca. 5 km to a little plain of grass with the name "La Virgen". Here your hike starts and you ascend in ca. 2-3 hours to the refuge "Nuevos Horizontes" on 4.675 m. If you have a good physical fitness and are already acclimatized to the altitude you can start to ascend to the northern peak today. You can reach this peak in ca. 3 hours. Hiking back down to the car takes about 3 hours. You come back to the alberge for relaxation and a hearty dinner. B/L/D

Day 3: Lagoon of Quilotoa – Alberge Cuello de la Luna
During a 6-hour roundtrip in the car you will see the region of the western Andes, which is one of the most impressing places of Ecuador. You begin in direction towards the South to Latacunga from where you drive west into the western Cordillera to Pujili where you make a short stop to get some fruits in the local market. Then you continue to Zumbuahua, a small, colourful village with about 40 families. Ca. 10 km north of the village lays the blue and green glimmering volcano lagoon of Quilotoa. This lake is one of the most beautiful volcano lakes in the Ecuadorian Andes. From the crater you can see the different snow topped volcanoes. After a hike through this impressive landscape you drive back to Cuello de Luna in the afternoon. You will spend the night again in Cuello de Luna. B/L/D

Day 4: Cotopaxi National Park - Jose Rivas Refugium
In the late morning you will go to El Chasqui from where you drive to the Cotopaxi National Park. Here you will make a short stop at the museum of nature to learn about the flora and fauna of the park and then continue to the Lagoon Limpiopungo at about 3.800 m altitude. On a short hike you learn about the typical high altitude flora and if the weather permits have great views on the Cotopaxi Volcano on the other side of the high plain. Afterwards you drive up the slopes of Cotopaxi to the parking area on 4.600 m. From here you walk in about 1 hour to the "Jose-Rivas-Refuge" at 4.800 m. After a short acclimatisation hike in the afternoon you will have an early dinner before you try to rest and sleep early. B/L/D

Day 5: Climbing Cotopaxi – return to Quito
After a small breakfast at about midnight you start climbing up. Depending on the conditions you will need about 6-7 hours to reach the peak. If the weather is good you will have a breathtaking view from the top and the possibility to take lots of photos of the snow topped summits of the famous Avenue of the Volcanoes. Later you start climbing down and will reach the hut after about 3 hours again. In the afternoon you return to Quito. B/L/-

B= Breakfast; L= Lunch; D= Dinner

Prices per person 2011

• USD 835 - with minimum 2 people
• USD 1,495 - with one person
• Single room supplement: USD 45 – (not in the mountain refuges)

Included

• Private transportation 4WD
• Qualified mountain guide (at the Cotopaxi one guide for every two climbers, during the acclimatization hikes one guide for the group – usually English/Spanish speaking)
• Meals as mentioned above.
• For climbing: mountain boots, ice axe, crampons, harness, rope, entrance fee National Parks, lodging at the refuges.

Not included

• Sleeping bag
• Personal equipment
• Tips
• Travel insurance
• Mountain equipment: gaiters, warm and waterproof clothes, sunglasses, headlamp with batteries, gloves etc.

What to bring with you

Sleeping bag, personal equipment, travel insurance, mountain equipment: gaiters, warm and waterproof clothes (Fleece and Gore-Tex), sunglasses, headlamp with batteries, gloves, sun block, torch, hat, trekking shoes, warm and water–proof clothing, canteen, camera and film (100 ASA).