Mountain Climbing Ecuador - Cotopaxi 3 days

Mountain Climbing Ecuador - Cotopaxi 3 days is a 3-day acclimatization-and-climb expedition to the summit of Cotopaxi (5,897 m), one of the world's highest active volcanoes and one of Ecuador's most iconic peaks. Starting from Quito, the trip builds in a dedicated acclimatization day at Tambopaxi Lodge before staging the climb from the José Rivas Refuge, giving climbers a better chance at the summit than a rushed 2-day plan. Guided by certified ASEGUIM guides, it's a serious high-altitude climb with acclimatization built in.

The itinerary opens with a full day adjusting to altitude at Tambopaxi Lodge (3,800 m), surrounded by Andean scenery, before a gear check and trek up to the José Rivas Refuge on day two. The summit push begins at midnight, aiming for the crater rim between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m. with panoramic views over the Andes. The pace is demanding, with a midnight start and glacier terrain, so a strong level of fitness is essential. Both private and group-guide options are available, along with add-ons including glacier training.

This package is more inclusive than the basic 2-day climb: the price covers ASEGUIM guides, transportation, meals at the refuge, water and snacks, mountain refuge and Tambopaxi Lodge accommodation, lodge meals (dinner and breakfast), climbing permits, adventure insurance, climbing gear, and round-trip Quito transfers. Guests need to bring their own backpack (a 40–50 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 a Quito extension, a Tambo Paxi room upgrade, and glacier training.

Location: Quito, Ecuador (climb in Cotopaxi National Park, with acclimatization at Tambopaxi Lodge).

Duration: 3 days.

Activity Type: Guided high-altitude mountaineering with a summit of Cotopaxi (5,897 m), led by ASEGUIM guides, with a dedicated acclimatization day built in. Involves a midnight summit push and a glacier ascent. A high level of physical fitness is required. Both private (1:1) and group (2:1 guide ratio) options are available.

Accommodation: Tambopaxi Lodge (3,800 m) on Day 1 and José Rivas Refuge on Day 2, with an optional Tambo Paxi room upgrade available as an add-on.

• Private option (one climber, one guide): $775 per person
• Group option (2 or more clients, 2:1 guide ratio): $535 per person (deposit $150 per person)
• Quito Extension (add-on): $120 per person — airport pick-up and 3 nights at Quito Basecamp hotel
• Tambo Paxi upgrade (add-on): $65 per person — single room with private chambers (2 beds) and private bathroom
• Glacier training (add-on): $195 per person — full-day trek to 5,400 m with glacier training on Day 1, then drop-off at Tambopaxi Lodge

Deposit: $150 per person on the group option (private option deposit not listed).

Day 1 — Acclimatization

An 11:00 a.m. pick-up in Quito takes you to Tambopaxi Lodge (3,800 m) in the Ecuadorian Andes. The day is dedicated to acclimatizing to the altitude, taking in the mountain scenery around the lodge, and preparing for the climb ahead. Dinner is served at the lodge. Overnight at Tambopaxi Lodge.

Day 2 — Cotopaxi Refuge

After a leisurely morning, gather at Tambopaxi Lodge around 2:00 p.m. for a briefing and gear check. Transfer to the José Rivas car park (4,800 m), then trek up to the José Rivas Refuge for the night, taking in Andean views along the way. Overnight at the refuge, resting ahead of the summit push.

Day 3 — Cotopaxi Summit (5,897 m)

A midnight start begins the ascent, aiming to summit between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m. with panoramic views over the Andean peaks and valleys. After the summit, descend to the José Rivas Refuge for a well-earned breakfast, then return to the car park and transfer back to Quito.

• ASEGUIM Guides
• Transportation
• Meals on refuge
• Water and snacks
• Mountain Refuge
• Climbing Permits
• Adventure Insurance
• Climbing Gear
• Tambopaxi lodge 40000 m

        Lodge

• Meals in Lodge

        Dinner and Breakfast

• Transfer Quito

        Ida y vuelta

• Back Pack

        Attack pack 40-50 litres

• Sun Glasses

        Snow gogles

• Inner layer gloves
• Tips

        suggested $10 or more