Cotopaxi Summit (5.897 m / 19,347 ft) in 2 days

We leave Quito at around 10.30 am and drive towards Cotopaxi National Park. We stop for lunch at a typical restaurant, and continue then to the gate of Cotopaxi NP, where we register before we continue. Then we go up to the parking lot by car and from there hike up to the José Ribas refuge at 4.865 m / 15,960 ft (around 45 - 60 min). If required and the conditions allow it, we will go for a small glacier training in the afternoon (walking techniques, rope travel), then we have an early dinner and try to rest a bit at the refuge (dorm). We wake up around midnight, and after a small snack we start the hike to the summit of COTOPAXI (5.897 m / 19,347 ft), which takes approximately 6 - 8 h. If the conditions are good we will enjoy a breathtaking sunrise at the summit, overlooking the impressive crager and then we descend (approx. 3 hours to the refuge, 30 mins to the parking lot) and return to Quito.

elevation gain day 1: 220 m / 720 ft | distance 0,8 km / 0.5 mi

elevation gain day 2: ↑ 1060 m / 3480 ft ↓ 1280 m / 4200 ft | distance 7,5 km / 4.7 mi

food included on day 1: - / L / D

day 2: B / - / - (snacks for ascent will be provided)