High times at the Cotopaxi Volcano

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Cotopaxi
Duration:
2 days / 1 night (flexible)
Price:
From £ 195.- per person (excluding flights)

Scale the side of the huge Cotopaxi ‘stratovolcano’ – Ecuador’s largest active volcano at 5911m above sea level, and its second highest peak after Chimborazo. You’ll spend the evening in a peaceful hacienda set in the surrounding national park, filled with wildlife and grassy plains, before you scramble up the lava sand the following morning, almost to the summit of this active giant.

Day 1 – Into Cotopaxi National Park

We’ll arrange a private driver to get you to the national park from wherever you are, since a 4×4 is needed to travel across the bumpy terrain and streams of the Páramo plateau. The panoramic views make the journey here a real experience, especially if travelling south from Quito as you’ll get to see the whole city from afar. You’ll reach your hacienda, based on a working farm with cattle, horses and alpacas grazing in the fields, and a view of the volcano on a clear day. Once settled in, you can relax or take a short hike around the area, before enjoying a freshly cooked, traditional dinner and a sound night’s sleep.

Day 2 – To the volcano!

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll wave goodbye to the hacienda as your driver arrives to collect you, and together you’ll drive towards the Cotopaxi Volcano. Parking up at the foot of the cone, it’s a 300m climb to the refugio – a mountain hut where you’ll be able to see over the National Park and other nearby volcanoes. It’s a fairly tough scramble as you’re walking on volcanic ash, and at altitude, but the view makes it worth the effort. If you have the energy, it’s a further 200m up to the start of the glacier! Once you’ve had your fill of the spectacular panorama, your driver will be waiting to take you on to your next destination.