Climb Cotopaxi in Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, ASEGUIM certified mountain guide with extensive knowledge of the area (1:1 or 1:2 ratio)
    • 8-day Cotopaxi adventure
    • Accommodation for 7 nights, as in the itinerary (hotel, lodge, refuge)
    • Almost all meals, as listed in the itinerary — breakfasts while in town, all meals once you head into the mountains)
    • All private transfers during the tour
    • Airport transfers
    • All national park and climbing permits
    • Use of technical climbing gear — boots, crampons, helmet, harness ice axe
    • Adventure insurance (covering a rescue team, first aid, and an ambulance to the hospital)

  Add-ons (add at checkout):

  • • Headlamp
    • Trekking poles

  Not included:

  • • Flights to Quito
    • Personal clothing & gear
    • Lunches and dinners in Quito
    • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout (adventure insurance is included in the price, covering an ambulance to the hospital, but from that point on, your insurance takes over)
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  This adventure is for intermediate to experienced climbers. You will need a great level of fitness and backpacking experience to accomplish this climb.

  This 8-day itinerary is designed to build acclimatization gradually, giving you the best possible foundation for high-altitude climbing in Ecuador. Over the course of the trip, we progress from acclimatization hikes to summit attempts, allowing your body time to adapt while developing confidence on varied terrain.

  Cotopaxi is a non-technical but physically demanding climb, attempted after several days of acclimatization. Summit day can last up to 8 hours, with challenges coming primarily from altitude and endurance, not technical difficulty. You’ll travel across moderate glaciated terrain, navigate crevasse zones, cross snow bridges, and tackle a short semi-vertical section near the summit. The total elevation gain on summit day is 3,618 ft (1,103 m).

  Iliniza Norte, climbed earlier in the itinerary, is also non-technical, but requires excellent fitness, careful footwork, and comfort with scrambling. It’s less strenuous than Cotopaxi, typically taking up to 4 hours, with an elevation gain of 1,683 ft (513 m).

  Throughout the trip, your guide manages logistics, monitors technique and acclimatization, and provides hands-on support whenever needed—allowing you to focus on moving well, adapting to altitude, and enjoying the climb.

• What if I’ve never alpine climbed before?

  For this guided Cotopaxi climbing tour, prior mountaineering experience is not required, though it’s certainly helpful. To climb Cotopaxi safely, you should be comfortable using crampons and an ice axe, and have experience with strenuous hiking on steep, glaciated terrain at high altitude and in cold conditions. Strong fitness and the ability to move steadily for long periods are essential.

  Your guide will handle all safety measures, provide clear instruction on technical skills, and offer hands-on support if you encounter any challenges. Iliniza Norte is less demanding than Cotopaxi, so if you meet the requirements above, you’ll be well prepared for both climbs.

• How much time is allocated for acclimatization?

  This itinerary is built around progressive, well-paced acclimatization over the full 8 days. You begin with two nights in Quito (2,850 m / 9,350 ft), followed by a moderate hike to Rucu Pichincha (4,784 m / 15,695 ft) and a guided ascent of Iliniza Norte (5,126 m / 16,818 ft). A dedicated rest and acclimatization day at Tambo Paxi Lodge (3,700 m / 12,140 ft) further supports altitude adaptation before moving to the José Rivas Refuge (4,800 m / 15,750 ft) for the summit push. This gradual build-up maximizes safety, comfort, and summit chances.

• What do I need to bring?

  Required gear:

  • • Mountaineering boots
    • Crampons
    • Gaiters
    • Inner thermal pants
    • Outer waterproof pants or softshell pants
    • Polar fleece jacket
    • Down jacket
    • Waterproof jacket
    • Warm hat and buffs
    • Inner gloves
    • Outer gloves or mittens
    • Helmet
    • Headlamp
    • Harness
    • Ice axe (piolet)
    • Sleeping bag
    • Backpack (35–45 L)
    • Sunglasses or goggles

  Provided free of charge by your guides if required:

  • • Mountaineering boots
    • Crampons
    • Gaiters
    • Mittens
    • Harness
    • Ice axe
    • Helmet
    • Sleeping bags
    • Duffel bag for carrying gear

  Available for rental:

  • • Headlamp
    • Trekking poles
• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this private adventure, the maximum client to guide ratio is 2:1.
    • You can sign up solo for the climb and there will be one guide accompanying you.
    • If two or more people sign up, the price goes down.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Quito, the starting point of your adventure, most people fly into Quito International Airport (UIO). Once you land, your guides will pick you up and transfer you to the first night’s hotel (airport transfers are included in the price of the tour).

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies:

  • • Deposits are non-refundable.
    • Cancellations made more than 14 days before the tour entitles the client to a 30% refund of the total amount.
    • Payments are non-refundable once the tour has started.

  Please note that booking fees are non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from the refund amount.