COTOPAXI EXPRESS

Day 1.  Arrive Quito (2.800 m / 9,184 ft).

(Transfer in-Airport-Hotel)
Overnight: Hotel Quito. (no meals included)

Day 2. Acclimatization hike to Pasochoa volcano (13,878ft / 4230 m).
We’ll leave from Quito (9,186 ft. / 2.800 m.) early in the morning and will drive southeast for about 1,5 hours through the Andean highlands until getting to the trail head (11,483 ft / 3.500 m). The hike goes through an amazing primary Andean forest. As we gain elevation we’ll be able to see the surrounding snow-capped mountains, such as Antisana, Cayambe, Illiniza, Cotopaxi and even Chimborazo far away to the south in clear days. Once nearing the summit, will be hiking by the ridge of the deep forest-covered caldera which takes us to the true summit soon after. It’ll take us about 6 hours’ round trip. Drive to a nice Hacienda close to the Cotopaxi National Park. Overnight: Hacienda Los Mortiños. (B/BL/D)

Day 3. Acclimatization hike to Ruminahui Central volcano (4630m/15,190ft).
After breakfast we start a short drive of 30 minutes to Limpiopungo Lake at 3850m/12,631ft. The volcano is located in the Cotopaxi National Park, it is a long extinct volcano, with three major peaks. It is an excellent acclimatization climb with an exciting finish and epic views of El Corazon, Los Ilinizas, Sincholagua and Cotopaxi. Total walking time is about 6 hours. Drive back to the Hacienda Los Mortiños where we will overnight. (B/BL/D)

Day 4: Refuge Jose Ribas 4800m/15,748ft – Glacier training
After the breakfast we drive to the entrance of the Cotopaxi National Park where we will have registration an then we have a scenic drive to the parking lot at 4,600m/15,091ft ahead. From there we hike for 1 hour to the mountain hut Jose Ribas. This retreat is on the north side of Cotopaxi.  Once at the refuge we will head up to the glacier for ice practices and training (3 hours approx). We will learn some basic techniques which will include how to handle climbing equipment (crampons, ice axe, rope, etc.). We will go back to the Refuge and back to the parking lot where we will drive back to the Los Mortiños. Dinner and rest. Overnight at Hacienda Los Mortiños. (B/BL/D)

Day 5: Hike to the Jose Ribas Refuge (15,748ft/4.800 m).
We will leave from the Lodge after lunch and drive again to the parking lot (14,764 ft /4.500m) and start our hike for one hour to the Jose Ribas Refuge (15,748ft/4.800m). Once at the refuge, we will store our belongings and rest in the afternoon. Dinner and Overnight at the hut. (B/L/D).

Day 6: Climb Cotopaxi volcano (19,347ft/5.897 m) – Quito.
Midnight will be our wake-up time, and our departure to the top (19,347ft./5.897m) will be shortly after. Before our ascent, we will have a hot drink and get our gear ready for the ascent, which will take us about 6 to 8 hours. Each climber will get a box lunch for the climb. 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 and then we’ll head down back the refuge (3 to 4 hours). Once at the refuge we will pack our belongings, have something to eat and drink and go back to the parking lot where our transportation will be ready to take us to Quito. (B/BL).

Day 7: Transfer Out and fly back home. (B)