9-day Guided trek in the Cotopaxi National Park in Ecuador, near Quito

A Mountain Madness representative will pick you up at the airport and take you to Hacienda Rumiloma.

Travel to town of Otavalo to visit its colorful markets, afternoon hike to orchid lined Laguna Cuicocha. Overnight in comfortable Hacienda Pinsaqui.

From 9,020 feet, at the village of Santa Clara, we begin the trek along the Pita River in the Valley of Los Chillos. Along the way we pass in front of a shrine, where locals come to worship the Virgen de la Piedra, the “Virgin of the Rock.” From a lightning strike, a figure of a Virgin was etched into the rock, a holy sign that draws local to this place of worship. Today’s hike will take around 5 hours. When we reach our campsite at 10,758 ft. things will already be set up.

Elevation: 13,776 feet / 4200 meters
Pasochoa is an ancient and heavily eroded volcano that has been inactive since the last ice age. If the weather permits, from the summit we will be able to take a good look at the crater. Inside you will see the Pasochoa Protected Forest Reserve, a humid Andean Forest with more than 110 species of birds and 45 species of trees. On a sunny day there are good chances of observing condors, the largest birds on the planet. In the afternoon we return to Santa Rita campsite for the night.

Elevation: 11,808 feet / 3599 meters
Today we hike through a hummingbird rich humid Andean forest on our way to Hacienda El Porvenir. El Porvenir, is surrounded by four volcanoes: Cotopaxi, Sincholahua, Pasochoa and Rumiñahui. Here you will be able to enjoy your stay in a comfortable, functional and beautiful traditional Andean hacienda built from local materials of brick, straw, and adobe.

Elevation: 15,088 feet / 4599 meters

From the hacienda we ascend the central ridge of 15,088 foot Rumiñahui, another extinct volcano. The peak is located only 13 km northwest of Cotopaxi. Rumiñahui is named after a well known Inca General who, in 1520, fought against the Spanish when they were looking for Inca treasure. After our climb we spend the night at Tambopaxi, a beautiful lodge located at 12,300 feet inside the Cotopaxi National Park. It has hot showers and a relaxing place to kick your feet up! In the afternoon we will visit the nearby Inca ruins or if you prefer, just rest and delight yourself with the views. The telescope in the lodge will enable you to follow the progress of any climbers on Cotopaxi.

Start hiking towards Cotopaxi Volcano, the highest active volcano in the world. After about four hours we reach the trekker’s highpoint for the trip – 15,744 ft. Jose Ribas Hut. After a short walk down from the hut, a vehicle takes trekkers to the charming Hacienda La Cienega, one of Ecuador’s most well-known haciendas. After a hot shower and imbibing in the South American drink of pisco, trekkers enjoy a traditional Ecuadorian cuisine and fun night out.

Today we go to the 12,464 foot Quilota Crater, a beautiful volcanic crater-lake 3 kilometers wide. On the way to the lake we will see some little “chozas”, very basic Indian huts, where the local families live. Children will follow us and try to make conversation! This portion of the trip offers a unique glimpse into some of Ecuador’s varied indigenous cultures in addition to the incredible scenery of the area and the lake itself. Local legend claims the lake is connected to the ocean and is therefore salty and sulphuric. The 900 foot hike down to the lake waters will allow you to dispel or verify this legend! On the way back to Quito and the celebration dinner, we shop for the famous native Tigua paintings and carved wooden masks.

Return home or continue on other adventures.