Discover Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and one of Ecuador’s most famous natural landmarks. Located just a short drive from Quito, Cotopaxi National Park offers breathtaking landscapes of snow-capped peaks, volcanic plains, and high-altitude lagoons.

On this adventure, travel through the Andean páramo and hike up the slopes of the majestic volcano to the José Rivas Refuge, located at about 4,800 meters (15,700 ft). You will also visit Limpiopungo Lagoon, a beautiful glacial lake where wild horses, Andean birds, and other wildlife can often be seen.

This unforgettable experience combines stunning scenery, nature, and adventure in one of the most spectacular places in the Ecuadorian Andes.

Departure from Quito city: 

Average altitude: 2,800 msl / 9,000 feet

Average temperature: 8°C / 46°F

Our Certified Guide will you picked up from your location.  Head out to the south-east of Quito. After of one hour and a have, we get in the Cotopaxi National Park. After leaving the main road we can see llamas, animals that have lived in the Andes for millennia. We will carry out the respective registration for our entry to the park. 

Heading to the Jose Rivas mountaineer refuge: 

Average altitude: 4,800 msl / 15,748 feet

The walk will start from the parking lot to the shelter. We will go along a volcanic sand-path. It takes 45 minutes or depends on your fitness level. Enter the Cotopaxi National Park and visit the interpretation center. Upon reaching the shelter the fatigue would be great but the joy would be immense. We will rest for several minutes or perhaps we would like a hot chocolate to warm our body. If we bring our passport you can stamp it with the official seal of the Cotopaxi National Park.

Hiking down and some birding around the Limpiopungo Lagoon: 

Average altitude: 3,800 msl / 12,467 feet. 

Stroll along the lakeside boardwalk as part of the guided tour around this glacial lake at the foot of Cotopaxi. A stunning setting in which to admire the local landscape and nature. 

The lagoon that is fed by another volcano, The Rumiñahui. And it will give you the opportunity to learn more about plants such as sigse, deer chub, sisan, Valeriana pilosa, Mosses, Lichens, among others. Which since ancient times have been used as natural medicine.

At lunch time, we will recommend a restaurant in the area so you can enjoy a hot soup that will go very well with the freezing climate of Cotopaxi. After our adventure, we returned to Quito. 

What to bring? 

To enjoy the tour, it is important to bring warm clothing, hiking shoes, a hat, gloves, sunscreen, sun glasses and cash for your entrance fees for your personal expenses.

To have a better experience about birdwatching. Kindly, we suggest you bring binoculars and camera with a 600mm len.