Cotopaxi National Park Volcano Tour - Private Full-Day Guided Tour

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador

Pickup: Anywhere within Quito.

Tour: Private tour in 4x4 or mini bus depending on group size.

Here you will visit the second highest volcano in Ecuador with an altitude of 5897 meters. It is located in the eastern mountain range of the Andes. It is surrounded by other mountains such as Sincholagua, Pasochoa, Rumiñahui, all within the avenue of volcanoes. Cotopaxi translated from Quichua into Spanish is the neck of the moon.

Once you arrive at the Cotopaxi National Park, you will make a quick stop for some 'Coca Tea', this will help you with the demands of walking in such altitude. After this brief stop, you will start the climb up to the highest point you can reach with a vehicle, which is at 4600 meters above sea level. Once there, and depending on how you are feeling with altitude, we can attempt to walk up to the Refugio Jose F. Rivas which is at 4864 meters above sea level. Here you can once again have some hot drinks or a coca tea, depending on how you are coping with the altitude and possible cold weather depending on the temperature.

BONUS:

Once we reach the Refugio Jose F. Rivas, and weather permitting, we can attempt to reach the glaciers which is at 5000 meters above sea level. Normally you would need to pay guides to take you up there but our guide is experienced and knowledgeable in hiking Cotopaxi.

Once we reach a height where you feel comfortable and is safe for you to attempt, we will proceed to descent. On our way out of the national park, we will stop at the Limpiopungo Lagoon, where you will have a chance to take some photos of the lagoon with Cotopaxi Volcano in the background (weather permitting).

After leaving the lagoon, we will stop at a local restaurant where we will have lunch before heading back to Quito.

Duration: 5 hours