Itinerary 5 days / 4 nights

Day 1: Climbing Pasochoa 4200m

We pick you up at your hotel in Quito. We head towards the foothill of Pasochoa Mountain to start our trekking. We traverse beautiful moorlands and head to the base of the rocky mountain. A short hike up and we will be at the summit, one of the most beautiful balconies in the Central Andes. On a clear day we can admire Sincholagua, Cotopaxi, Rumiñahui and possibly Antisana volcano. It takes us about 5-6 hours to go up and down. This is one of the best treks to start an acclimatization process in the altitude. We head to our lodge to rest.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Box lunch, dinner

Day 2: Climbing Rumiñahui 4700m

The imposing Rumiñahui with 4700m is our last hurdle before the Cotopaxi. We start our tour at the edge of the stunning Limpiopungo lagoon at 3900m. We hike to the summit and back in approx. 4-5h. The tour ends directly at the amazing Lodge los Mortiños where we will have dinner and relax with a panoramic view.
Accommodation: Hacienda los Mortiños
Meals: Breakfast, Box lunch, dinner

Day 3: Climbing Iliniza North 5116m

After early breakfast we head to Ilinizas Reserve. We will reach 12`870 feet (3900mts). Our trekking tour starts passing by 3 different vegetation zones up to the refuge (hut) after 2-3 hrs trekking at 15´675 feet (4750mts). In the refuge we will take a cup of tea, recover and continue to the summit of Illiniza Norte if the weather conditions and mountain conditions allow us. The summit of Illiniza Norte is at 16’785feet (5116mts). Our trekking tour up and down 4012.8 feet (1216mts) will take us around 7-8hrs, a long journey but probably the most important one for our climb to Cotopaxi later on. We come down to rest at our lodge.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Box lunch, dinner

Day 4: Climbing Mountain Refuge 4800m / Cotopaxi

The morning helps us to relax and spend a few pleasant hours in the lodge. We will have early lunch to go shortly after noon in the direction of the National Park. The road to Cotopaxi by the National Park is unique. You often see wild animals such as horses, bulls, birds, rabbits and foxes. We drive almost 1h. from 3600m to 4500m, where we leave our jeeps. The last 300mts to the hut we make on foot. Before sunset we have dinner and try to sleep a few hours, because at midnight our adventure will start. The unique and compelling Cotopaxi 5897m is waiting for us.
Accommodation: Refuge José Ribas
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Climbing Cotopaxi 5897m

The big day of the trip begins shortly after midnight at 4800m. 5 -6 hours we will need to get to the main summit of the world famous Cotopaxi (5897m). A complete alpine glacier tour surrounded by beautiful mountains and the lights of the capital in the background. Goal of ascension is to reach the summit when the sun arises to enjoy the magnificent colors. We need 2-3 hours for the descent. We return afterwards to Quito.
Meals: Breakfast pre-ascent