Climb Cotopaxi in Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes

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:

• • Experienced ASEGUIM certified local mountain guides with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 3 or 5 days of alpine climbing, as outlined in the itineraries 
  • All transportation and logistics to and from Cotopaxi
  • All gear and mountain climbing equipment 
  • Warm clothing suitable for high altitude and freezing weather
  • Accommodations during the trip
  • Meals as indicated in the itineraries
  • National Park permits

What’s not included:

• • Backpack
  • Lunches
  • Transportation to and from Ecuador
  • Accommodation prior and after the trip

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:

• • Ice axe
  • Crampons
  • Neck and leg gaiters
  • Face mask
  • Headlamp

Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring:

• • Backpacks (45 L)
  • Fleece or wool hat
  • Balaclava and a buff
  • Hardshell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or equivalent)
  • Expedition-weight bottoms
  • Lightweight wind shell
  • Down or synthetic jacket with hood
  • Long-sleeved base layer
  • Gloves — lightweight synthetic, windstopper gloves, big mountain gloves and mittens
  • Long base layer pants
  • Lightweight trekking pants
  • Expedition-weight bottoms
  • Hardshell pants
  • Softshell pants (wind-proof or wind-resistant)
  • Liner socks, hiker socks and warm socks
  • Mountaineering boots that work with crampons
  • Casual personal clothing and extra clothes for changing after the climb 
  • Glacier glasses and goggles
  • Water bottle or hydration pack
  • Plastic bowl, spoon, coffee mug, and pocket knife
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, blister kit, toilet paper, pee bottle, etc.)
  • Camera — optional

Group sizes and prices:

• • For these adventures, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 2:1. 
  • The cost per person decreases if more than one person books, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family! 

These climbing adventures can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.

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.