Amazing Trip
The second highest mountain in Ecuador and the most visited due to its beauty and being not much technical mostly of the mountaineers attempt to climb it, climbing technique or experience is not necessary however Mountaineering Gear will be needed. Cramps, Ice axes, Harness, Ropes, and of course only certified guides are allowed to guide they who wonder to reach its summit.
Cotopaxi Volcano Summit.
Summiting normally starts around 12:30 am, to reach the summit at latest 7:30 am and then return to the hut before the snow melts and glacier crevasses move/evolve.
Description
Day 1
We meet in our office at 10am where our guide will help us with all the gear and the necessary stuff for this adventure. Climbing Cotopaxi takes 2 days and a good physical condition is highly recommended;
remmenber in Ecuador the mountains aren´t technical but they are tough due the altitude and the Mountain's shapes
After we have everything we need, we departure towards Cotopaxi Volcano which we reach in about 2:30hr. By car we reach 4.500mt where is the parking place and from where we do an easy hiking to the José Rivas Refuge .
Being in the refuge we look for a place for the night. After a light lunch we will go to the glaciers for learning some basic techniques, late evening we will have dinner and then resting till the midnight.
Day 2
At midnight we wake up and get ready with our gear and stuff our guide will control we don't forget anything and we'll have something warm before we start our summit.
From this point it takes us 6hr aproximately to reach the top, after we enjoy the dawn we start to climb down, after we get the refuge we change our clothes and then return to Banos City or we drop you off as arranged.
Itinerary
Meeting
We meet at Amazing Trip office 20min before the departure, for checking the group and gear needed.
Banos, Cotopaxi
As soon as we get ready we start driving towards Cotopaxi, passing by Ambato on the way to Quito, Latacunga.
Cotopaxi National Park
In about 2:30hr driving we reach the entrance to the Cotopaxi National Park, from here we drive to the Cotopaxi Volcano parking place.
Jose Rivas Refuge
From the parking place at 4800mt we do a hiking to the refuge where we acommodate and get a bed.
Ice School
In the afternoon we go the glaciers to learn how to use the ice axes and to try the cramps as well.
Dinner/Resting
Late at evegin we will have dinner and will rest till midnight.
Cotopaxi Summit
We wake up at midnight and get ready with the equipment and necessary stuff, after having something warm and energetic we start our climbing.
Top of Cotopaxi
Climbing Cotopaxi volcano takes around 6hrs, reaching the summit we spend a moment and start to climb down.
Return
We climb down to the refuge where we'll have breakfast and get ready to return or continue our schedule.
Map
Includes
- Private Transportation
- Equipment
- Certified Guide/Driver
- Meals
Not Included
- Any not specified service or expense
- Drinks
- Tips
What to Bring
Reviews
Cotopaxi Volcano
Climbing Cotopaxi to the summit is quite popular, with up to 100 climbers attempting it on weekends.[22] Today, mountain guide companies offer regular guided climbs of the mountain. Climbers grade the conventional route alpine PD (Peu Difficile) or WS (Wenig Schwierig) — or PD/WS+ (indicating "Mildly Difficult PLUS"). Use of crampons and ice axes is mandatory as snow and ice slopes of up to 50 degrees (1 in 2) are encountered, and climbers should be on belay and use aluminum ladders to cross one or two of the crevasses.
