Cotopaxi summit with acclimatization, 5 volcanoes in 7 days (Ecuador)

Climb 5 different and impressive volcanoes in 7 days, including Cotopaxi, guided by Fernando, an ASEGUIM mountain leader, and his team. Let him share with you his passion for mountaineering and his love for Ecuador.

Private

Andes

7 Days

Jan, Feb, Jun - Aug, Dec

High

Intermediate

Highlights

* Reach the summit of 5 volcanoes in 7 days with an expert guide.

* Discover the unrivalled beauty of Cotopaxi, along with its incredible views.

Description

Follow me on this mountaineering adventure to the summit of some of the most impressive volcanoes on Earth! Explore Cotopaxi, Pasochoa, Corazón, Illiniza Norte and the Quilotoa Lagoon on this 7 days journey.

Each one of the volcanoes we’ll visit has their own personality and wonderful sceneries. So each day, we will live a completely different adventure.

To reach Pasochoa we’ll drive through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, a scenic route that crosses the ecuadorian mountain range. Then, our next goal will be the summit of Corazón, which translates to heart in english. Corazón has two summits, and a hill in the shape of a heart, thus its name. Also, it is home of a dazzling green turquoise lagoon. Thereupon we’ll visit the equally mesmerizing Quilotoa Lagoon, and Illiniza Norte, a stratovolcano that stands out for its beauty. Moreover, it is the perfect ascent to acclimatize for our main goal during this expedition: Cotopaxi.

Cotopaxi is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful volcanoes on Earth! It is one of the most active volcanoes as well. And it’s the second highest one in Ecuador. We’ll attempt to reach the summit departing at midnight. We will stand at the top of Cotopaxi right after sunrise, around 6:00 am. So we’ll get a hypnotizing view of the area, hard to compare.

Would you like to come with me on this journey? Request to book this trip and let me guide you to these marvellous places in Ecuador.

Looking for a shorter trip? Check this full day trek in Cotopaxi National Park.

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

- Transport during the trip

Price details

The price includes: the fee of an 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 gear (mountaineering Boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet); private transportation and transfers to Cotopaxi National Park; 4 nights accommodation at the Andes Alpes café; 1 night accommodation at the Cotopaxi Refuge Jose Rivas; all meals during the hikes and climbs. The price does not include: personal mountain gear (warm cloths, sleeping bags, sunglasses, head lamp, etc.); international flight tickets; accommodation in Quito, tips, insurance of any kind Travel accident and health insurance, luggage insurance and trip cancellation; other non-specified expenses.

Itinerary

Day 1: Quito 2800m - Pasochoa 4200m - El Chaupi 3300m

Around 8 am we leave Quito. After that we’ll drive through the Avenue of Volcanoes until the Pasochoa Parking Lot. Thereupon we’ll hike and ascend steep slopes to reach the summit of Pasochoa. And at the end of the day we’ll return to El Chaupi.

Day 2: El Chaupi - Corazón Volcano 4788m

After breakfast we’ll drive to the trailhead where we’ll begin our hike, which will take us through small Andean grasslands. Later, we’ll reach a sandy scramble section that leads to the summit of Corazon. Finally, we’ll return to the hostel for dinner and to rest.

Day 3: El Chaupi - Nuevos Horizontes Refuge 4700m

Early morning, after breakfast, we’ll head towards the Nuevo Horizontes mountain hut, located between Illiniza Norte and Sur. The ascent to the hut will help us acclimatize for our next target: Illiniza Norte.

Day 4: El Chaupi 3300 m - Iliniza North 5126m

Once more we’ll start our day early. After a light breakfast we’ll pack up and head towards Illiniza Norte. Upon arrival to the top, we’ll descend and trek towards El Chaupi.

Day 5: El Chaupi 3300 m - Quilotoa Lagoon 3914m

We’ll leave from El Chaupi in the morning. Then we’ll drive towards the Quilotoa Lagoon. On the way there, we’ll stop at the Tigua community. Then, we’ll reach a viewpoint to observe the crater and its lagoon. Thereupon we’ll descend to the lagoon. Finally, after lunch, we’ll return to El Chaupi.

Day 6: El Chaupi - Refugio Jose Ribas 4862m

We will depart from El Chaupi, driving through the Avenue of Volcanoes until we reach the Cotopaxi National Park entrance. From here will drive east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (14,764ft/4500m) then we’ll hike for around an hour to the José Rivas Refuge (15,951 ft. / 4862 m.). We will then have dinner and rest until midnight. At this point we will pack our belongings and get ready to make our final ascent.

Day 7: Refugio - Summit Cotopaxi 5897 m – Quito

At midnight we’ll leave to the summit of Cotopaxi, having breakfast on the way. At the entrance of the glacier, your guide will explain all necessary tips needed for using crampons and ice axe if needed. After 6-8 hours we’ll reach the top. Then we’ll begin our descent, back to the refuge and the parking lot, where our private transportation will be waiting to drive us back to Quito.

About the guide

Fernando

4.5

(24)

Mountain Leader

ASEGUIM Guide from Ecuador.

I was born and raised in Cotopaxi Province – Ecuador and know the country’s peaks intimately. I have great mountaineering experience of more than 12 years of climbing in all Ecuador, and I also climbed in South America, Switzerland, and France.

I worked for the Nuevos Horizontes refuge on Ilinizas Volcano from a young age and have professional Guide Training, and I am officially Licensed as a Nature guide organized by the Ministry of tourism.

Some of the guiding courses I attended are:

* Mountain Guides Course by ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides),
* Mountain Guides Evaluation by ENSA (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d'Alpinisme) in October 2006. An event organized by the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador and ENSA of France
* Pre-Course UIAGM an event organized by ASEGUIM and ENSA (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d'Alpinisme)
* First Aids course, Ecuadorian Red Cross

I live and manage a hostel and lodge in El Chaupi, a beautiful mountain village an hour south of Quito, just in between Illinizas Ecological Reserve and Cotopaxi National Park. It looks like a typical Swiss town in the Alps, and has everything to become a great mountaineering center, the ‘Chamonix or Zermatt of South America’!

I speak fluent Spanish, English, and little German, French, Hebrew, and Quichua.

The guiding team I lead is committed and experienced. Contact me to help you organize an unforgettable adventure.

Languages

German | French | English

Certificates

ASEGUIM

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What people are saying about Explore-Share

Man

Climbing with guide Guillaume was absolutely a highlight of my 2-week Europe vacation. Originally, we were planning on climbing in the Calanques, but the park was closed due to wind and fire danger. Guillaume chose another amazing location (Pic de Bretagne) based on my climbing abilities and preferences and kindly offered train station pick-up and hotel drop off, which I appreciated very much. The multi-pitch route we did was not only fun but also the right amount of challenge, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The communication from the team (Gauthier) was prompt and clear—highly recommend!

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