Ecuador · Glacier Tours

2-Day Cotopaxi Summit Climb from Quito with Glacier Ascent

2 Days Round trip from Quito Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Experience glacier climbing with crampons and an ice axe on Cotopaxi
02 Reach the 19,347 ft summit of one of Ecuador's most iconic volcanoes
03 Take in breathtaking views of the crater and surrounding high-altitude landscapes
04 Scenic drive along the Avenue of the Volcanoes
05 Hike to the José Ribas Refuge in Cotopaxi National Park

Explore the stunning Cotopaxi National Park on a 2-day climbing adventure from Quito, including a hike to the José Ribas Refuge and a glacier ascent on one of Ecuador's most iconic volcanoes. Learn to use crampons and an ice axe as you make your way toward the 19,347 ft summit. From the top, take in breathtaking views of the crater and surrounding high-altitude landscapes before descending through this beautiful volcanic environment. This experience combines glacier climbing, mountain training, and the thrill of standing atop Cotopaxi.

Explore the stunning Cotopaxi National Park on a 2-day climbing adventure from Quito, including a hike to the José Ribas Refuge and a glacier ascent on one of Ecuador's most iconic volcanoes.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Quito, Cotopaxi National Park

Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Drive to Cotopaxi and Hike to José Ribas Refuge

Elevation: 4864 m./15,958 ft.

We will leave Quito early in the morning, around 11:30 a.m., and drive south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes until we reach the town of El Chaupi.
This town is the location of Cotopaxi-Travel's home base, where we will prepare all the necessary equipment for the ascent.
We will have lunch at Andes Alpes Restaurant, and then continue to the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park.
From here, we will head east to the Cotopaxi parking lot (14,764 ft/4864 m), and then hike for about an hour to the José Ribas Refuge (15,951 ft./4862 m).
Then we will have dinner and rest until midnight. At this point, we will pack our belongings and get ready to make our final ascent.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Cotopaxi Refuge

Day 02

Midnight Ascent to the Cotopaxi Summit

Elevation: 5897 m./19,347 ft.

Midnight will be our wake-up time, and departure to the top (19,347 ft/5897 m) will be around 1 a.m.
After having a light breakfast, we will get our gear ready for the ascent.
At the entrance of the glacier, your guide will explain all the necessary tips for using crampons and an ice axe, if needed.
The climb will take about 6 to 8 hours, and once at the summit, we'll take our time for pictures of the crater and surroundings. We will then head back down to the refuge, which will take 2 to 3 hours.
Once at the refuge, we will pack our belongings, have something to eat, and go down to the parking lot, where our transportation will be ready to take us back to Quito (9,186 ft/2800 m).
Meals: Light breakfast before the ascent and full breakfast after the ascent.

Where this trip takes you

Cotopaxi glacier, José Ribas Refuge, Avenue of the Volcanoes

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Quito 2 cities · 2 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Qualified and experienced Ecuadorian local mountain guide (ASEGUIM/UIAGM), ratio 2 climbers to 1 guide
Registration in the SIB System (System Information of Biodiversity)
Technical mountain equipment (mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet)
Land transportation and transfers to Cotopaxi National Park
Accommodation at Cotopaxi Refuge
All meals during the hikes and climbs (shown above)

What's Not Included

Personal mountain gear (warm clothes, sleeping bag, sunglasses, headlamp, etc.)
International flight tickets
Hotel in Quito
Tips
Insurance of any kind, including travel accident and health insurance
Luggage insurance and trip cancellation
Other non-specified expenses

What to bring

Here's a packing list for your Cotopaxi Climbing Adventure in Ecuador:

Clothing

Base layers (thermal top & bottom): Moisture-wicking to keep you warm and dry.
Climbing pants: Durable and flexible for movement.
Insulated jacket: Down or synthetic for warmth in cold conditions.
Windproof & waterproof jacket: Protects against wind and rain at high altitudes.
Climbing gloves: Warm, but with enough dexterity to use equipment.
Warm hat: To keep your head warm, especially at higher altitudes.
Neck gaiter or balaclava: For extra warmth and protection.
Gaiters: To prevent snow and debris from entering your boots during the climb.
Socks: Several pairs of high-quality, moisture-wicking socks for comfort (preferably wool).
Comfortable clothes for downtime: For resting at the refuge.

Footwear

Mountaineering boots: Stiff, insulated boots suitable for crampon use.
Camp shoes: Comfortable shoes for after the climb, such as sandals or sneakers.

Climbing Equipment (provided by the tour, but double-check with the guide)

Crampons: For glacier ascent.
Ice axe: Essential for climbing and navigating the glacier.
Helmet: To protect your head during the climb.
Harness: If required for safety measures during the climb.

Personal Gear

Backpack: Small day pack (30-40L) for carrying your personal items to the refuge.
Sleeping bag: A warm sleeping bag (rated for temperatures as low as -10°C to -15°C/14°F to 5°F).
Headlamp: Essential for the midnight start of your ascent, with extra batteries.
Water bottles/hydration system: Stay hydrated throughout the climb.
Snacks: Energy bars, nuts, and other easy-to-carry high-calorie snacks for during the ascent.

Other Essentials

Sunscreen: High SPF for protection from the sun at high altitudes.
Lip balm with SPF: To protect your lips from the cold and sun.
Sunglasses or glacier glasses: Protect your eyes from glare at high altitudes and on the glacier.
Personal hygiene items: Toothbrush, toothpaste, and wet wipes for freshening up at the refuge.
Travel insurance: Including coverage for mountaineering activities.
ID and copies: Passport or ID card, and a photocopy of each.
Camera: To capture the stunning views and summit photos (optional).
Trekking poles: Optional, but can be helpful for balance during the hike to the refuge.

Optional

Gaiters for snow protection
Personal medication or altitude sickness medication: Consult your doctor beforehand.
Earplugs and eye mask: For better sleep at the refuge.

Ensure all your gear is well-suited for high-altitude mountaineering, and double-check with your tour operator about what equipment is provided and what you need to bring yourself. Stay safe and enjoy the stunning Cotopaxi climb!

Know before you go

FAQ's

IS NECESSARY PREVIOUS GLACIER EXPERIENCE?
Having previous glacier experience is not required. We do recommend that you join one of our best acclimatization and ascent programs, which contains instructions and skills that we teach you, as previous mountaineering training helps you enjoy the overall experience. It is also important that you try out your mountaineering gear prior to joining this adventure. If you don't have gear, we have it for you in our rental equipment shop.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CLIMB COTOPAXI?
A). In Ecuador, you can climb all year, but these are the seasons - High Season: June to August / December to January - Low Season: February to May / September to November
B). Likewise, weather forecasts are very unpredictable. Therefore, we recommend being prepared for all types of weather.
DO I REALLY NEED RESCUE INSURANCE?
We strongly urge you to purchase travel and accident insurance. We recommend Global Rescue for both types of insurance.
IS COTOPAXI A DANGEROUS MOUNTAIN?
A). Cotopaxi is a relatively safe climb on the routes we use. The biggest challenges are the high altitude and people not coming physically prepared. Some groups try to ascend too quickly and do not take the time to acclimatize. We do not have this issue because our itinerary has been carefully planned over years of experience working in low-oxygen environments.
ACCLIMATIZATION IS IMPORTANT AND HOW DO I PREPARE FOR HIGH ALTITUDE?
A). Acclimatization is the most important factor and should be taken seriously. Even if you are fit and practice physical activity, it is important to follow the process for a successful climb.
B). Firstly, there is some very specific training you should be doing. Learn more. Let's be clear: always pick the itinerary with more acclimatization built in. After that, you need to focus on mapping out a training plan that emphasizes strength and endurance. We will pace the trip at lower heart rates so we can perform for longer periods of time. You still need to be comfortable hiking for 6+ hours. We know that building up the weight you carry in your backpack for hours at sea level builds endurance, strength, and cardio, which stress-tests your body for high altitude. We can help you learn more about how to prepare for your high-altitude adventure.
WHAT KIND OF GEAR, CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO BRING?
A). We will provide you with a full detailed itemized kit list.
SAFE TO BRING AND LEAVE OUR BAGS IN THE BASE CAMP?
A). Yes, you can leave a bag of items not needed in our base camp. You can also leave valuable items in the safe.
WHAT ROUTE DO WE CLIMB ON?
A). Depending on the glacial conditions, we will follow the safest route to the top. We also leave from the refuge at 4864 m./15,958 ft. for all our summit attempts.
DO YOU HAVE TRAINING ADVICE?
A). If you sign up for one of our trips, we can give ongoing advice. We also have training courses in Cotopaxi that you can sign up for.
CAN I PAY WITH CREDIT CARD?
A). Yes, you can do it.
TIPS
Develop a personalized training plan. Mountaineering requires multiple types of training, each focusing on a different need:
Cardio workouts to improve the overall fitness level of your heart and lungs.
Interval sessions to boost your ability to process more oxygen with each breath.
Strength and endurance exercises so you can haul a heavy load and sustain physical output for many hours.
Balance and flexibility training because you need both for mountaineering.
Hiking days to extend your training into real-world situations.