Mount Cotopaxi holidays

Cotopaxi is the grand finale of our climbing Cotopaxi holidays. That’s because our trips are perfectly paced, designed by experts who factor in plenty of time for safe acclimatisation by starting with a week of hikes on neighbouring volcanic peaks that often get overlooked. That’s great news for trekkers: you’ll feel prepared to climb Cotopaxi, plus you’ll get more time to appreciate this spectacular slice of the Ecuadorian Andes. Near the end of the trip, it’s Cotopaxi time – and the trek is all the sweeter for the excitement of waiting.

For trekkers with excellent fitness levels, climbing Cotopaxi is challenging but achievable – if you acclimatise well. Our trips ease the way by including acclimatisation days, and welcome both fit beginners and more experienced hikers looking for more experience in high-altitude conditions. You’re not left to go it alone, either. Treks are led by qualified local mountain guides who’ll advise on techniques and equipment, including crampons and harnesses for the final glacier trek. They’ll also help you keep your bootprint small, managing waste carefully and respecting park regulations. All in all, the ascent takes 6-7 hours and the descent takes 2-3 hours.

Cotopaxi is surrounded by a national park that’s a patchwork of paramo: high-altitude grasslands where wild horses roam and Andean condors soar. Hikers and bikers also roam, while photographers make a beeline for Limpiopungo Lagoon to capture the looking-glass reflection of Cotopaxi. Most of our trips start and end in Quito, the high-altitude capital city of Ecuador that’s an hour’s drive north. We recommend spending more time here if you can. One: for extra acclimatisation. Two: because Quito is a great city for browsing plazas, basilicas, art galleries and restaurants.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Cotopaxi is the star of the show – but it won’t take long to realise it’s also the people you meet along the way, including the brilliant mountain guides and porters. Our experts also put you up in locally run hotels, lodges and haciendas that offer a welcome from hosts happy to share mountain culture beyond Cotopaxi, including homemade food. It’s a warm introduction to life in the Andes made all the warmer by knowing your money is being spent locally instead of drifting into the pockets of international chains. Plus, with your Cotopaxi climb complete, you can toast your achievement with an iced horchata or wine on the terrace. ¡Salud!