Experiences / Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes
Cotopaxi Volcano Summit
A glacier climb to 5,897 m on one of the world's highest active volcanoes
- Duration
- 2 days
- Difficulty
- Extreme
- Group size
- 1–4
- Minimum age
- 18
- Cancellation
- Strict
- Meeting point
- Quito hotel pick-up
- Operated by
- Páramo y Glaciar
Overview
Cotopaxi's snow-capped cone is the icon of the Ecuadorian Andes. After an afternoon of glacier training near the José Rivas refuge at 4,864 m, you rest for a few hours before a midnight start.
Roped to your guide, you climb crevassed slopes and ice ramps by headlamp to reach the crater rim at dawn, with Chimborazo and Antisana floating above the clouds. A 1:2 guide ratio keeps the climb safe and personal.
Highlights
- Summit at 5,897 m at sunrise
- Glacier skills session on day one
- Night at the José Rivas refuge
- Views of Chimborazo, Antisana and Cayambe
- IFMGA/ASEGUIM certified guides, 1:2 ratio
Included
- Private transport from Quito
- Certified high-mountain guide
- Refuge night with dinner and breakfast
- Crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet
- National park entrance
Not included
- Mountaineering boots and clothing (rentable)
- Travel insurance covering mountaineering
- Tips
Before you go
Prior acclimatization climbs above 4,500 m (e.g. Rucu Pichincha, Illiniza Norte) are mandatory. Very good fitness.
