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Enkindle your sense of adventure and climb the Cotopaxi Volcano. Following the footsteps of pioneer geologists and inspiration-seeking artists, you’ll find its still-active 19,350 ft cone rising gracefully from a verdant plateau in the heart of Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes. Trapped in ice, Cotopaxi’s crater marks the second highest point in the country—and dares you to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. If you want more, join your expert mountain guide for another climb: the nearby Iliniza Norte, one of the country’s more approachable +16,500-ft peaks. Either way, you’re in for a humbling and profound experience that doesn’t leave anyone indifferent. Find out all you need to know about climbing Cotopaxi from Wlady Ortiz, a seasoned mountain guide from Ecuador.
Climb the tallest active stratovolcano in the world
Get an insight into Ecuador’s impressive geo- and biodiversity
Achieve impressive feats even if you’re just stepping into the world of alpine climbing
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Ecuador, please refer to the Covid-19 Information by the US Embassy and Consulate in Ecuador.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get in this adventure:
What’s not included:
Essentially, climbing Cotopaxi is a recreational two-day climb that even those new to mountain climbing can complete as long as they’re in excellent physical shape. Climbing Cotopaxi is a strenuous activity lasting up to 8 hours and is made more challenging due to high altitudes. Even though it is not a technical climb, it will involve moderate glacial terrain, complex crevasse patterns, snow bridge crossings, and a semi-vertical section in the end. The climb will involve a 3,618-ft elevation gain (1,103 m).
Likewise, Iliniza Norte climb is not technical, but requires great caution, excellent level of fitness, and some experience with scrambling. The climb is less strenuous than the Cotopaxi Volcano and will take you up to 4 hours, with an elevation gain of 1,683 feet (513 m).
Keep in mind that your guide will monitor your technique, take care of the logistics and help you if you encounter any difficulties during the climb.
For these Cotopaxi guided climbing tours, prior mountain climbing experience is not necessary, but it’s more than welcome. However, in order to climb the Cotopaxi Volcano, you should know how to use an ice ax and crampons. You should have some experience with strenuous hikes in steep and glaciated terrain and with high-altitude hiking in freezing temperatures.
Your guide will take all the safety precautions, give you instruction on technical skills and help you if you encounter any difficulties. Climbing Iliniza Norte is less challenging than climbing Cotopaxi, so you’re good to go if you fulfill the above mentioned requirements.
All technical climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need:
Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring:
Group sizes and prices:
These climbing adventures can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
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.
To get to Quito, where the Cotopaxi alpine climbing trips start, most people fly into Quito International Airport. Since you are likely to arrive in the evening, it is likely that you will have to book an accommodation there.
You will meet your guide somewhere in the city on day 1 and get transferred to a lodge, where you will acclimatize in close proximity to your first climbing objective—either Cotopaxi or Iliniza Norte.