GROUP  4 TO  10 CLIMBERS 

ITINERARY

Day 01: Cotopaxi Refuge 4,864 m.
Day 02: Summiting Cotopaxi 5,897 m. 

Day 1: Cotopaxi Refuge

We will leave Quito early in the morning around 10:30 a.m. and we will drive south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes until we reach the town of El Chaupi. This town is the location of Cotopaxi-Travel’s homebase, there we will prepare all the necessary equipment for the ascent. We will have lunch at Ilinizas Mountain Lodge, and then we will continue to the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park. From here, we will head east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (14,764ft/4864m) and then we’ll hike for about an hour to the José Ribas Refuge (15,951 ft. / 4862 m.). Then we will have dinner and rest until midnight. At this point we will pack our belongings and get ready to make our final ascent.

·         Altitude: 4,864 meters (15,958 feet)

·         Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

·         Accommodations: Cotopaxi Refuge (Jose Rivas)

·         Distance: 1.5 km (from parking lot to refuge)

·         Duration: 1 hours

Day 2: Cotopaxi Summit

Midnight will be our wake-up time and the departure to the top (19,347ft/5.897m) will be around 01h00, not before having a light breakfast and getting our stuff ready for the ascent, the climb will take us about 6 to 8 hours. Once at the summit we’ll take our time to take pictures of the crater and surroundings, and then we’ll head down back to the refuge, which will take us 2 to 3 hours. Once at the refuge we will pack our belongings, have something to eat and go down to the parking lot, where our transportation will be ready to take you to Quito.

·         Altitude: (5,897 meters / 19,347 feet)

·         Meals: (Breakfast/-/)

·         Accommodations: Hotel Chimenea

·         Distance: Climb 10 k (round trip), Transfer 115 Km.

·         Duration: 5 to 6 hours to the summit, 2-hour transfer to Quito.

What's Included

ü  Mountain Climbing Local Insurance 

ü  Ecuadorian qualified and experienced local Mountain Guide (ASEGUIM/UIAGM

ü  ratio 2 climbers -1 guide)

ü  Technical mountain equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)

ü  Land transportation and transfers

ü ü National parks fees and permits

ü ü Registration in the System SIB (System Information of Biodiversity)

ü  Accommodation:

• 
    1 night at Cotopaxi Refuge  
• ü  All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above)
• ü  Tents, and camping utensils for high camp.

What's Not Included

Ø  * International flights

Ø  * Internacional Insurance

Ø  * Personal expenses

Ø  * Tips for guides or local staff

Ø  * Travel insurance (highly recommended)

Ø  * Additional activities not listed in the itinerary

Ø  * Alcoholic beverages (unless specified)

Ø  * The costs of delays or changes to itinerary that are beyond the control of Cotopaxi Travel, or its agents are not included.

Ø  * Airport taxes

Ø  * Visa 

Day 1: Arrival in Quito – Transfer to Ilinizas Mountain Lodge Arrival at Quito International Airport (2,850 m / 9,350 ft). Private transfer south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Ilinizas Mountain Lodge (3,300 m / 10,827 ft), located at the foothills of the Ilinizas near Cotopaxi National Park. The afternoon is reserved for rest, gear check, and light acclimatization. 

Altitude: 2,850 m / 9,350 ft → 3,300 m / 10,827 ft 
Meals: Dinner 
Accommodation: Ilinizas Mountain Lodge 
Distance: 60 km / 37 mi (approx. 2h drive) 
Duration: Afternoon arrival & acclimatization

Day 2: Cotopaxi National Park – Hike to Refugio José Rivas After breakfast, transfer into Cotopaxi National Park. Hike up to the José Rivas Refuge (4,800 m / 15,748 ft) for an acclimatization walk on volcanic terrain. Dinner and rest at the refuge, preparing for the summit attempt.

 
Altitude: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: José Rivas Refuge
Distance: 5 km / 3 mi hike (plus 30 km / 19 mi drive)
Duration: 3–4 hours hike

Day 3: Summit Cotopaxi – Transfer to Chimborazo Lodge Midnight departure for the ascent of Cotopaxi. The climb takes 6–8 hours through glaciers and snowfields, reaching the summit around sunrise. After descending to the refuge, transfer south to a lodge near Chimborazo National Park.

Altitude: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft → 5,897 m / 19,347 ft (summit) → 3,000 m / 9,842 ft (lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
Accommodation: Chimborazo Area Lodge
Distance: 10–12 km / 6–7.5 mi climb + 200 km / 124 mi transfer
Duration: 10–12 hours climb + 4 hours drive

Day 4: Rest & Recovery Day – Riobamba or Chimborazo Lodge Full day for rest and recovery in Riobamba (2,750 m / 9,022 ft) or at a lodge near Chimborazo. This downtime is essential before attempting Ecuador’s highest peak. 

Altitude: 2,750 m / 9,022 ft – 3,800 m / 12,467 ft (depending on lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Chimborazo Lodge
Distance: Minimal (short walks possible)
Duration: Full rest day

Day 5 : Chimborazo National Park – Hike to Refugio Whymper Drive into Chimborazo National Park. Acclimatization hike up to the Whymper Refuge (5,000 m / 16,404 ft). Dinner and early rest.

Altitude: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft → 5,000 m / 16,404 ft

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Whymper Refuge
Distance: 3–4 km / 2–2.5 mi hike + 40 km / 25 mi drive
Duration: 3–4 hours hike

Day 6: Summit Chimborazo – Return to Quito Midnight departure for the Chimborazo climb. The ascent takes 8–10 hours over glaciers and technical alpine terrain, reaching the summit of Ecuador’s highest peak. After the descent, return to the refuge and transfer back to Quito.

Altitude: 5,000 m / 16,404 ft → 6,263 m / 20,549 ft (summit) → 2,850 m / 9,350 ft (Quito) 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 
Accommodation: Hotel in Quito
Distance: 12–14 km / 7.5–9 mi climb + 220 km / 136 mi transfer
Duration: 10–12 hours climb + 5 hours drive

Day 7 – Free Day in Quito – Departure Leisure day in Quito for cultural visits, relaxation, or optional day trips. Depending on flight schedule, transfer to the airport for departure.

Altitude: 2,850 m / 9,350 ft
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: — (departure day)
Distance: 40 km / 25 mi transfer
Duration: Flexible

Included Services
ASEGUIM-certified bilingual mountain guides (1:2 ratio)
Private transport throughout the program 
Accommodation in  1 Night at Iliniza Mountain Lodge  1 Night at Cotopaxi Refuge  1 night High Camp Chimborazo (Domes or 4-season tents)
Meals as described in the itinerary
Technical climbing equipment (ropes, helmets, harnesses, crampons, ice axes)
National park entrance fees

Not Included
✘ International flights
✘ Accommodation in Riobamba (Day 4) and Quito hotel (Day 7)
✘ Personal climbing gear (boots, gloves, clothing – available for rental)
✘ Extra meals and drinks not mentioned
✘ Travel insurance

 GROUP  4 TO  10 CLIMBERS 

Day 1: Hike Pasochoa Volcano

Elevation: 4200 m./13,779 ft

1. We will pick you up at 8:00 am.Then we will drive for two hours to get to Pasochoa parking lot. We will then hike through a large forest and when we are in the middle of it, the 4230-meter summit will appear. There is a steep sloop on the ascent, but once there we will have beautiful views. We will drive to El Chaupi village. Overnight at Andes Alpes base camp.
2. Meals: (-/ Box Lunch/ Dinner)
3. Accommodation: ILINIZAS MOUNTAIN LODGE 3300 m
   
   

Day 2: Summit Corazón Volcano

Elevation: 4788 m./15,708 ft

1. From El Chaupi village. We will start early in the morning after breakfast 7:00 We will be driving up to the trailhead (13,120ft/4.000m), where we start our hike. The first part of the hike takes us up through the small Andean grass. Then we will get on the sandy and scramble section, which leads to Corazon summit. We will have lunch during the hike that is about 6-hour long. Return to the hostel.
2. Meals: (Breakfas/ Box Lunch/ Dinner)
3. Accommodation: ILINIZAS MOUNTAIN LODGE 3300 m
   

Day 3: Summit Iliniza North

Elevation: 5126 m./16,818 ft

• We start early in the morning after breakfast 7:30 We will be driving up to the “La Virgen parking lot” (12,795ft/3.900m). Once there, we will start a 3-hour hike up to the “Nuevos Horizontes Refuge” (15,580ft/4.750m). We will relax for couple of minutes and we took the opportunity to put our helmet and harness for continue hiking up towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then head up to Illiniza north summit; it will take us between 2 to 3 hours to get to the summit, the way back to the parking lot it will take us between 2 hours. Drive back to El Chaupi. Overnight at the Hostal or Lodge.
• Meals: (Breakfas/ Box Lunch/ Dinner)
• Accommodation: ILINIZAS MOUNTAIN LODGE 3300 m
  

Day 4: Quilotoa Lagoon Rest day

Elevation: 3914 m./12,841 ft

1. We’ll leave from El Chaupi in the morning and drive the Quilotoa Lagoon. During the tour we will stop at an Indian hut and visit the Tigua community to observe the leather crafts that they make here. The tour will about 4 hours, then we’ll arrive the viewpoint and admire the size of the crater and its lagoon. We will then descend along a varying road which will take us an hour until we arrive at the bottom of the lagoon. There we will take photos and rest, then after lunch we will be back in El Chaupi after 3 hours driving.
2. Meals: (Breakfas/ Box Lunch/ Dinner)
3. Accommodation: ILINIZAS MOUNTAIN LODGE 3300 m
   

Day 5: Cotopaxi Refuge

Elevation: 4864 m./15,958 ft

1. From El Chaupi will drive south through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until getting to the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. From here will drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (4.500m/14,763 ft) then we’ll hike up for around an hour to the Jose Ribas Refuge. Then we will have dinner and rest until midnight. At this point we will pack our belongings and get ready to make our final ascent.
2. Meals: (Breakfas/ Lunch / Dinner)
3. Accommodation: Cotopaxi Refuge

Day 6: Summit Cotopaxi

Elevation: 5897 m./19,347 ft

1. Midnight will be our wake up time and the departure to the top will be around 01h00, not before having a light breakfast and get our stuff ready for the ascent, the climb will take us about 6 to 8 hours. Once at the summit we’ll take our time to take pictures of the crater and surroundings, and then we’ll head down back the refuge, which it will take us 2 to 3 hours. Once at the refuge will pack our belongings, have something to eat and go down to the parking lot, where our transportation will be ready to take us to Quito.
2. Meals: (Breakfas/-/ -)
3. Accommodation: 

SERVICES 

INCLUDED:

Services included in the prices:

• Ecuadorian qualified and experienced local Mountain Guide (ASEGUIM/UIAGM) ratio 2 climbers -1 guide)
• Registration in the System SIB (System Information of Biodiversity)
• Technical mountain equipment (Mountaineering Boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
• Land transportation and transfers to National Parks
  
• Accommodations ILINIZAS MOUNTAIN LODGE 3300 metros
  4 nights
  
• Accommodations in Cotopaxi Refuge
• All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above with B: Breakfast, BL: Box lunch and D: Dinner)

NOT INCLUDED:

• Personal mountain gear (warm cloths, sleeping bags, sunglasses, head lamp, etc.)
• International flight tickets
• Hotel in Quito
  
• Tips
• Insurance of any kind Travel accident and health insurance
  
• Luggage insurance and trip cancellation
• Other non-specified expense

DEPOSIT, PAYMENT AND RESERVATION INFORMATION

Each reservation requires a deposit from 30% (according to total price) as a down payment per person. Once the deposit will be confirmed we will send you your contract voucher. The remaining balance will be due in ECUADOR during your briefing at our office or your hotel in cash before your trip. No refund if you cancel less than 20 days!