Mountain Climbing Ecuador - Climb Cotopaxi

Mountain Climbing Ecuador - Climb Cotopaxi is a 2-day mountaineering expedition to the summit of Cotopaxi (5,897 m), one of Ecuador's most iconic and beautiful glaciated volcanoes. Starting from Quito, the trip stages the climb from the José Rivas Refuge inside Cotopaxi National Park, with a midnight summit push timed to reach the crater rim around sunrise. Guided by certified ASEGUIM guides, it's a compact but serious high-altitude climb best suited to those already acclimatized.

From Quito you'll drive into Cotopaxi National Park, register, and trek up to the José Rivas Refuge to rest before the night climb. The summit ascent takes roughly 6 to 7 hours across the glacier, rewarding climbers with panoramic views over the Avenue of the Volcanoes. The pace is demanding, with a midnight start and technical glacier terrain, so a strong level of fitness and prior acclimatization are essential. Both private and shared-guide options are available, and several add-ons let you build in extra acclimatization.

The price includes ASEGUIM guides, transportation, meals at the refuge, water and snacks, mountain refuge accommodation, climbing permits, adventure insurance, and climbing gear. Guests need to bring their own backpack (a 20–30 liter attack pack), sunglasses, snow goggles, and inner layer gloves, and should budget for tips (suggested $10 or more) and international airfare to Ecuador, arranged separately. Optional add-ons include acclimatization at Tambo Paxi Lodge, a Quito extension, and a single-climber supplement.

Location:  Cotopaxi, Ecuador (climb in Cotopaxi National Park, starting and ending in Quito).

Duration: 2 days.

Activity Type: Guided high-altitude mountaineering with a summit of Cotopaxi (5,897 m), led by ASEGUIM guides. Involves a midnight summit push and a 6–7 hour glacier ascent. A high level of physical fitness and prior acclimatization is strongly recommended; optional acclimatization add-ons are available. Note: on the shared option, if one roped climber cannot continue, the guide returns both climbers to the refuge and the expedition ends.

Accommodation: José Rivas Refuge (4,864 m) on the night of the climb, with an optional acclimatization night at Tambo Paxi Lodge available as an add-on.

Trip Price (private guide and services):$595 per person (deposit $175 per person)

Shared option (2 climbers share a guide):$365 per person (deposit $175 per person)

Acclimatization in Tambo Paxi (add-on):$95 per person — transport from Quito to the lodge, dinner and breakfast

Quito Extension (add-on):$95 per person — airport pick-up and 3 nights accommodation in Quito prior to the trip

Single climber supplement (add-on): $150 per person — for uneven groups

Deposit:$175 per person to reserve.

Day 1 — Cotopaxi National Park

Depart Quito at 10:00 a.m. for the roughly two-hour drive to the park registry, with lunch at the park entrance on arrival. After registration, continue by vehicle to the José Rivas Refuge car park (4,600 m), then trek about 45 minutes up to the refuge. Settle into the chambers, with dinner at 5:00 p.m. followed by rest before the midnight summit departure. Overnight at the refuge.

Day 2 — Cotopaxi Summit (5,897 m)

Depart the José Rivas Refuge (4,864 m) at midnight for the summit climb, a 6–7 hour ascent depending on conditions and pace. Pause at the top for panoramic views before descending to the refuge for a hot breakfast. After packing up, return by vehicle to Quito (2,850 m), marking the end of services.

• ASEGUIM Guides
• Transportation
• Meals on refuge
• Water and snacks
• Mountain Refuge
• Climbing Permits
• Adventure Insurance
• Climbing Gear

• Back Pack

        Attack pack 20 -30 lters

• Sun Glasses

        Snow gogles

• Inner layer gloves
• Tips

        suggested $10 or more