Cotopaxi volcano, the second highest peak in Ecuador (5897 m) is located 70 km. south of Quito in the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes, is one of the 8 active volcanoes on the continent the highest in the world in its kind, its eruptive history dates back to 1534, coinciding with the arrival of the Spanish conquerors to our territories and replicated in 1742, to the last and perhaps the biggest in 1877, where lava flows and lahars destroyed part of the city of Laso, Latacunga, Machachi and los Chillos Valley and for the Eastern side reaching the Napo river.
We invite you to come and enjoy this splendid mountain scenery and flora of this beautiful national park.
3 Possible formulas:
Formula PREMIUM, exclusive tour for people who want a stay adapted to their desires, a discovery tailored to their wishes and more flexible ...
Ideal for families with children or group of friends looking to optimize their visiting days taking advantage of the maximum transport and guide.
Shared tour on fixed dates (with logistics from our agency)
In this formula, when we will have confirmed participants on a certain date, we will publish the departure date on our website to promote the stay and thus be able to make a larger group with better prices.
This does not alter the quality of the service and will allow you to meet more travelers and reduce the price of the tour.
Group tour with other agencies:
Some agencies are grouped to unite people and thus leave in private bus from the tourist sector of Quito.
The service is less personalized but it manages to reduce the price of the stay in a significant way.
Program:
NOTE: In the PREMIUM and Shared Tour Formulas, it is possible to combine the visit of the market of Saquisilí (market that is realized only on Thursday) with the trip to the Cotopaxi National Park leaving earlier from Quito.
Departure from Quito at 8:00 hours in the morning to the Cotopaxi National Park by private vehicle. In the park, we´ll stop at Limpiopungo lagoon (3830 m), to observe the typical birds of the Andean paramo and then continue to ascend to the parking area (4500 m).
From here we begin a walk (364 meters of difference in altitude) to the José Ribas refuge at 4864 m.
Box lunch at the shelter.
Little walk to the edge of the glacier (45 minutes to 1 hour, total round trip) to a height of around 5000 m.
In return, brief visit to the park´s museum and back to Quito at the end of the afternoon.
Walking duration: approx. 4 hours total - Terrain: sandy trail and rocky near the glacier
Unevenness: 364 meters