Ready for an active day tour to the Cotopaxi volcano? We will drive you safely and fast to the Cotopaxi National Park. After breakfast, get ready for an intense hike up the 5,897 meters (19,347 feet) tall volcano Cotopaxi. This makes the Cotopaxi one of the highest active volcanoes in the world! You can hike up to 5000 meters (16,404 feet) to a spectacular glacier. Think that is already amazing? The Andean landscape in Ecuador will be even more spectacular when exploring it by bike! Don’t think about it, come with us and we will provide you with the best equipment. After the bike ride, we will also experience Limpiopungo Lagoon and learn the reason why Cotopaxi means Moon’s Throne. This is mainly a hiking tour trip combined with an OPTIONAL downhill biking portion. Please contact us for additional information!

Shared tour: Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays guaranteed departure

Note: All times are approximate, EXCEPT starting time

Schedule Itinerary
07:00

07:15

 Leave from Magic Bean restaurant (Mariscal Foch and Juan León Mera) or

Leave from Plaza San Blas (Caldas E1-83 y Rios)
08:00 Breakfast at Chaupi community
09:00 Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park.
09:45 Arrive at the parking lot at 4600 m and start of the hike
11:00 Arrive at Refuge at 4800 m. Hot drinks optional (not included)
11:45 Arrive at Glacier at 5000 m.
13:00 Start of mountain-biking downhill from the parking lot
14:00 Arrive at Limpiopungo lake viewpoint
15:00 Lunch at Chaupi community
18:00 Arrive at Quito

Want to know about the experiences of other travelers? Read our blog or check these TripAdvisor reviews on our Cotopaxi National Park day tour!

* The tour is operated by a partner operator that reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances. This tour goes to a height of 4,800m (15,748 ft). It is important that you are prepared for this kind of altitude. We recommend acclimatizing at least two days around 3,000m (9,842 ft). Cotopaxi has its own micro-climate and the weather in the area is very unpredictable, so please be prepared with warm clothes. The tour will leave in any weather.* We also have a pick-up point in the old town, please provide us with your details about accommodation and we can arrange a meeting point in either La Mariscal or the Old Town.

Shared tour: professional and bilingual guide, breakfast, lunch, bike (optional) transportation from/to Quito

Private tour: professional and bilingual guide, private transportation from Hotel – Cotopaxi – Hotel

Tips for guide

Note: Private tour does not include lunch and biking

Important: For the use of bicycles, you will be kindly asked to sign a document that you accept responsibility of the good use of the bicycle and you will be asked to let an identity document that will be given back after the tour. Thank you for your comprehension.

Necessary equipment:

– Warm clothing (including a change of clothes) – Gloves, Scarf, Hat – Sunglasses
– Water – Hiking shoes/boots – Camera
– Snacks – Warm socks – Sunscreen
– Cotton pants – Waterproof jacket

Shared tour: 55 p.p. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Private tour:  1 pax $230 – 2 pax $115 – 3 pax $85 p.p. (any day)

Full day transportation: Not available. Registered Guide required in the National Park

*It is important that you will have current travel insurance including personal medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.

*If you book a day tour with us, get 20% discount at our Hostel in Old Town Quito – Hump Day Hostel

We put a lot of effort into organizing the tour; therefore cancellations require 48 hours notice in advance by which we would give you a 50% refund. Cancellations will not be refunded with a shorter time notice.

Please note tips for our guides are not included in the price. If you enjoyed your trip, a tip of around 10% would be greatly appreciated. Tour is operated by third party company.


*Cotopaxi National Park shared tour guaranteed departure is on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays