Cotopaxi volcano Day Tour

Hiking

Trip Style

8 – 9 Hours

Duration

Cotopaxi National Park

Location

Full-Day

Trip Type

Information about Cotopaxi Volcano Day Tour

Embark on an unforgettable day tour to the iconic Cotopaxi Volcano, the world’s highest active volcano, nestled within the breathtaking Avenue of the Volcanoes. This adventure offers a perfect blend of natural wonders and cultural experiences, from hiking to the glacier or exploring the serene Limpiopungo Lagoon to discovering the biodiversity of the Andean páramo. Whether you seek an active trek or a relaxed exploration, this journey promises stunning landscapes, crisp mountain air, and memories to last a lifetime—all within a short drive from Quito.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Travel through the amazing landscape of the Avenue of the Volcanoes towards Cotopaxi Volcano.
Hike on the second highest peak in Ecuador and one of the world’s highest active volcanoes.
Enjoy a stunning scenery, crisp mountain air at Cotopaxi National Park at a short drive from Quito.
Step into the Paramo biodiversity at Limpiopungo Lagoon, climb up to the glaciers (depends on weather conditions).
Enjoy an optional horseback ride or biking adventure on the ladders of Cotopaxi Volcano.

Important Data

SHARED DEPARTURE	Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Domingo
PRIVATE DEPARTURE	Every day (extra cost)
DEPARTURE LOCATION	Meeting Point: Magic Bean (Foch & Juan Leon Mera)
RETURN LOCATION	Magic Bean
DEPARTURE TIME	Around 07.00 AM
DURATION	8 – 9 Hours Approximately
WEAR	Comfortable clothing, hiking shoes, hat, jacket and sunscreen, camera
INCLUDED	Bilingual Professional Guide. Transportation – pick up/ drop off at meeting point. Lunch. Bike & helmet.
NOT INCLUDED	Entrances fee. Cost of extra activities. Hotel in Quito (we can arrange your hotel accommodation if need) Tips & Gratuities (optional)

Cotopaxi Volcano Day Tour short description

A full-day adventure from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park. A trip along the Avenue of the Volcanoes (PanAm Hyw. South) along the beauties of the Andean landscape. Get in touch with the local culture and cuisine.

Choose between a hike to the glaciers or hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon, or a visit to the local market. Submerge into the Andean Paramo! We will begin our adventure early in the morning driving through the Panamericana Hwy, appropriately acknowledged as “The Avenue of the Volcanoes“.

Our destination is no other that the world’s highest active volcano: Cotopaxi. With 5,897 meters high, Cotopaxi elegantly adorns the Cordillera Real of the Ecuadorian Sierra. We will enter the Cotopaxi National Park for a close encounter with the Paramo biodiversity and a short ecological explanation.

After a short hike, let the adventure begin! if the weather and the travelers physical conditions are appropriate, we will continue to the parking lot (4500 m. above sea level) in order to ascend the to the First Refugee of the volcano (4810 m. a.s.l). You can rest and eat some hot soup at the refugee or continue the ascent to the Glaciers (depending on weather conditions).

Otherwise, if you feel like keeping it smoother, we can continue towards the road of the pine forest to the no less charming Limpiopungo Lake, located on the slopes of the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano. A visit to a local sierra market is another great option to get in touch with local community. After a long day, we head back to Quito in the afternoon.

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USEFUL INFO FOR YOUR COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK TOUR

Climate & Altitude Conditions (IMPORTANT)

Though this tour is categorized as soft adventure, please note that you will be traveling from an altitude of 4,810m (15780 ft) above sea level once reaching the first refugee and at 5,000m if you choose (depending on the weather conditions) ascend to the Cotopaxi Volano glaciers. It is important that you are prepared beforehand for this kind of altitude and make sure you are up to the challange. There are smoother options for this trip as well if you don’t feel like climbing to the first refugee. We recommend acclimatizing first. Please inform us of any known medical conditions before the excursion.

What to bring:

Refillable bottle of water
Sunscreen
Candies or chocolate (altitude)
Extra snack
Camera

Clothing Suggestions:

Comfortable and warm clothes (appropriate for location)
Comfortable hiking shoes
Waterproof jacket
Sunglasses, hat or cap with visor, gloves and sun screen
Extra pair of shoes and socks
Walking stick

Tipping:

Please, feel free to tip your local guides and drivers if you are glad with their services. Even if not compulsory, tipping is considered a gesture of gratitude to the people taking care of you during your trip. We recommend you consider this expense when planning your budget for this tour.

Tourists enjoying the tour in the Cotopaxi National Park

things to do around quito cotopaxi national park

Please be aware that the prices vary consistently due to promotions, so in order to GET THE BEST PRICE for the dates you desire please fill out the request form below. After doing so, we will send you the absolute best prices for the dates that you indicate.