Climb Cotopaxi Volcano

Overview

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A 2-week mountaineering trip in Ecuador climbing one of the world's highest active volcanoes

Introduction

The volcanoes of Ecuador are well known among mountaineers. The country’s highest, Chimborazo (6,310m), was first climbed by British mountaineer, Edward Whymper, in 1880. Due to our planet's equatorial 'bulge', it is the furthest point from the centre of the earth. Whymper also climbed Cotopaxi (5,897m), famously sleeping on its summit. Ecuador’s second highest peak is one of the world’s highest active volcanos and an easier climb than Chimborazo.

Packed with activity and variety, this expedition enables you to experience the landscape, culture and people of the smallest Andean country in less than two weeks from the UK. During this expedition, you will have time to explore Quito and its enchanting native Ecuadorian markets, as well as the famous hot springs at Baños.

Join us on Cotopaxi

• Glacier training day on Cotopaxi prior to the ascent.
• No camping - stay in superb haciendas with great food in-between the climbs, as well as lodges and mountain huts.
• Extend your stay by one day for an ascent of Chimborazo (6,310m) - the highest point from the centre of the earth.

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Experience Required

The trip is suitable for those with some ice axe and crampon experience, for example, gained on an Introductory Long Weekend in Scotland. You only need to carry a light daypack each day (apart from the 45-minutes walk to Cotopaxi hut when you’ll need to carry your sleeping bag/mat).
Our Scottish Winter Courses and our Alpine Courses provide good skills preparation for an expedition.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	With Flight	or Meeting in	Availability
Sun 20 Jul – Fri 1 Aug 2025	UK	Quito	Available Book now »
	£4,245	£2,595
Sun 2 Nov – Fri 14 Nov 2025	UK	Quito	Available Book now »
1 place left with £200 early booking offer	£3,740 £3,540	£2,595 £2,395
Mon 22 Dec – Sat 3 Jan 2026	UK	Quito	Available Book now »
2 places left with £200 early booking offer	– £-200	£2,895 £2,695
Fri 23 Jan – Wed 4 Feb 2026	UK	Quito	Available Book now »
	£3,895	£2,695
Sun 19 Jul – Fri 31 Jul 2026	UK	Quito	Available Book now »
	£4,495	£2,695
Sun 1 Nov – Fri 13 Nov 2026	UK	Quito	Available Book now »
	£3,895	£2,695

This expedition is available to book in GBP, USD and EUR.
Click to Change currency for prices on this site.

Group size: 2 – 12 people.

Single room supplement: £450

For comparison, this expedition starts from £216 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

With Flight pricing

Our 'With Flight' price includes an Economy class return airfare from the UK. The cost is based on a group fare that we have already reserved, or individual seats that we have budgeted for. Note that in some circumstances, the earlier you book, the less expensive the airfare and the 'With Flight' price.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) 'Know Before You Go' campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Ecuador on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless otherwise specified.)
• UK Air Passenger Duty (excluded if joining land-only and you make your own international flight arrangements).
• 2 group road transfers between Airport and hotel, connecting with flights (excluded if joining land-only).
• 3 nights' hotel accommodation (3 star) in Quito, on a bed and breakfast basis.
• 2 nights’ hotel accommodation in Baños, on a full-board basis.
• 7 nights' hacienda, lodge or mountain hut accommodation, on a full-board basis.
• All road transport by private vehicles as described in the itinerary.
• All costs IFMGA Ecuadorian Mountain Guides and local helpers.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or lightweight fleece.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Extraneous hotel bills (e.g. bar and laundry).
• Lunch and evening meals in Quito.
• Additional hotel nights in Quito, if the programme is changed.
• Travel Insurance.
• Optional trips.
• Tips.

Tailor-made option

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your mountaineering experience, you may want a Jagged Globe leader or go ‘self-led’ with the assistance of local guides. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable, particularly if you take the self-led option. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Typical Itinerary

Day 1:	Fly to Quito Flights from London arrive late the same day. Quito is at an altitude of 2,850m.
Day 2:	Acclimatisation & City Tour
Day 3:	Hike to Cotopaxipungo (3,150m) After a drive of one hour, you’ll start hiking from the village of Rumipamba located in the Valley of Los Chillos at 3,000m. The trek follows some cobble stone roads on the side of the Pita River, which flows from Cotopaxi National Park. You will visit the majestic waterfalls of Rio Pita. Close to the Hacienda Cotopaxipungo you’ll pass in front of a Shrine, a small religious place where locals come to worship the “Virgen de la Piedra”, the Virgin of the Rock. Today’s hike takes around 5 hours. You will spend your first night at an altitude of 3,150m.
Day 4:	Ascent of Pasochoa (4,200m) You’ll set off early for the ascent of Pasochoa. The grassy trails winding to its summit are reminiscent of the Peak District, apart from the common swirling mists, which can bring the sulphurous smell of simmering lava from below! From the summit you may see condors - Pasochoa is one of the few volcanoes where these huge birds glide. Overnight at Chilcabamba lodge.
Day 5:	Ascent of Rumiñahui (4,500m) From the lodge it's a short drive to Limpiopungo Lake where you will start hiking towards the central ridge of Rumiñahui, which leads to the middle summit. The volcano is located only 13km North West of Cotopaxi. Rumiñahui is named after a very well-known Inca General who fought against the Spanish when they were looking for the Inca treasure. This was around the year 1520. After the trek you spend the night at Los Mortiños Lodge (3,600m).
Day 6:	Hike to Cotopaxi Glacier (5,100m) From our lodge the team drives to the car park for Cotopaxi (4,600m), where you will walk for 45 minutes to the hut (4,800m). When you step out onto the volcanic dust of a moonscape you’ll find the thin air has a cold freshness, which gives a sense of vigour and vitality. From above the refuge you will continue to walk, arriving at the edge of the glacier. After lunch at the hut, you will descend to Tambopaxi lodge (3,700m), where you'll spend the night.
Day 7:	Visit market or Quilotoa Lake There are a few colourful native Ecuadorian markets in the Cotopaxi region. Depending on the day of the week you will be able to visit one of them, otherwise the plan will be to do a day-trip to Quilotoa Lake. Return to Tambopaxi lodge for the night.
Day 8:	Ascend to Cotopaxi Hut (4,800m) The team will return to Cotopaxi and walk back up to the refuge, where you'll have lunch. The afternoon will be spent reviewing the glacier skills needed for the ascent, prior to the climb. Overnight mountain hut.
Day 9:	Ascent of Cotopaxi (5,897m) You’ll leave around 1am. You’ll rope up to protect the team from hidden crevasses and steeper sections. The crater rim is ice encrusted - Cotopaxi's crater is a spectacular feature and the mix of ice and steam vents make an unusual combination. After soaking in the awesome panoramic views from the second highest point in Ecuador you’ll descend to the hut. From below the hut our vehicles will meet us and you’ll drive to Baños, famous for its hot springs.
Day 10:	Hot springs of Baños A day to relax and explore this wonderful town at the base of Tungurahua volcano. You can eat some great food, visit the neo-Gothic style basilica and enjoy the hot springs. Overnight hotel.
Day 11:	Return to Quito Overnight hotel.
Day 12 - 13:	Fly Quito to UK

PLEASE NOTE: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns and the health of climbers can all contribute to changes. The expedition Leader and our local agent will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy going nature will be an asset!

Optional Chimborazo Extension

Extend your time in Ecuador by one day and climb the highest mountain in the country - Chimborazo (6,310m).

 

Day 11 Drive to Carrel Hut (4,800m) on Chimborazo and hike to Western Ridge Camp (5,400m). Overnight camp.

Day 12 Summit Chimborazo (6,310m), return to Quito. Overnight hotel.

Day 13 Depart from Quito.

Day 14 Arrive home.

Price £850 per person

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Reports & Reviews

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

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Leader Reports

• Climb Cotopaxi - January 2025
  “"With Nick (a brilliant effort) and Chiqui on the summit at 7am. Volcan Cotopaxi quiet for the time being. Pepe, Nuria and Iain had topped out earlier, with Romel, Hannah and Jane just ahead of us. Nuria, Iain and Pepe, led to the...”
  report added 12/Mar/25