Ecuador · National Parks

9-Hour Cotopaxi National Park Tour from Quito with Ribas Refuge Hike

9 Hours Round trip from Quito Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Travel along the beautiful Pan-American Highway into Cotopaxi National Park
02 See extinct volcanoes such as Pasochoa and Rumiñahui in the Andes
03 Hike from the Ribas Refuge at 14,000 ft up to 15,000 ft
04 Observe Andean aquatic birds at Limpiopungo Lake
05 Experience the unique páramo landscape and glacial moraines of Cotopaxi

Discover Cotopaxi National Park on a 9-hour trip from Quito, travelling along the beautiful Pan-American Highway through the Andes Mountains. Take in views of extinct volcanoes such as Pasochoa and Rumiñahui, learn about the geology of the northern Andes, and explore the park's striking moraines and páramo landscape. Hike from the Ribas Refuge at 14,000 ft to 15,000 ft, then visit Limpiopungo Lake to observe Andean aquatic birds including the Andean gull and speckled teal.

Hike from the Ribas Refuge at 14,000 ft to 15,000 ft, then visit Limpiopungo Lake to observe Andean aquatic birds including the Andean gull and speckled teal.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Quito, Cotopaxi National Park

Languages English, Italian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Cotopaxi National Park and Ribas Refuge Hike

Pick up from your hotel.
Drive south along the Pan-American Highway to the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park. Observe beautiful extinct volcanoes such as Pasochoa and Rumiñahui.
Stop to learn about the geology of the northern Andes and enjoy beautiful views of green, scenic cultivated areas.
Enter the national park and begin to recognize the moraines that were carried down during the Earth's last glaciation period.
Drive to the Ribas Refuge at 14,000 ft.
Hike from 14,000 ft to 15,000 ft up to the refuge.
Reach the refuge, take a rest, and then drive to Limpiopungo Lake to observe Andean aquatic birds such as the Andean gull, speckled teal, and others. Also enjoy a unique páramo (tundra) landscape.
Drive out of the park and return to Quito.