Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito to Pasochoa Reserve
You'll get picked up from your Quito hotel and stop for a warm canelazo at El Porvenir before heading to Pasochoa Reserve. The hike takes you through native Andean forest and paramo grasslands around Pasochoa Volcano, where you can see snow-capped peaks including Antisana, Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Sincholagua. Plan for about 7 hours round trip, and a box lunch is included.
- Meals
- Lunch (Box lunch during hike)
Included Activities
- Hike Pasochoa Volcano from Hacienda Santa Rita Private Reserve
- Trek through native Andean forest and paramo grasslands
- Stop at El Porvenir for hot canelazo
Landmarks/POIs Pasochoa Volcano Antisana Volcano Cayambe Volcano Cotopaxi Volcano Sincholagua Volcano Hacienda Santa Rita Private Reserve - Day 2
Cotopaxi National Park
After breakfast at the hacienda, you'll drive to Limpiopungo Lake in Cotopaxi National Park. The climb starts at 4,000 meters and goes up to the Central Summit at 4,634 meters through steep sand slopes and high grasslands where wild horses and cattle sometimes roam. You'll return on a different trail through the paramo, taking about 7 hours total with packed lunch provided.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hacienda breakfast), Lunch (Packed lunch)
Included Activities
- Climb Cotopaxi Central Summit through steep sand slopes
- Trek through exclusive Hacienda trails and paramo grasslands
- Loop descent through alternate trail route
- Guided tour through Cotopaxi National Park
Landmarks/POIs Limpiopungo Lake Cotopaxi National Park - Day 3
High Ropes Course and Manto Blanco Waterfall
Your morning involves the High Ropes Course, where you'll traverse ladders, nets, tightropes and wobbly bridges at 20 feet up in a controlled environment. Later in the afternoon, you'll do a short hike on the hacienda's private trails to reach Manto Blanco waterfall, which sits in a reforested conservation area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- High Ropes Course experience - ladders, nets, tightropes, swinging logs, wobbly bridges
- Short hike to Manto Blanco waterfall on exclusive Hacienda trails
Landmarks/POIs Manto Blanco Waterfall - Day 4
Cotopaxi Climb Preparation at Refugio Jose Ribas
You'll drive to Machachi and transfer to Refugio Jose Ribas at 4,800 meters. Have an early lunch at the hacienda before the drive up to the refuge. In the afternoon, your guide will walk you through safety techniques and mountain climbing skills using specialized equipment. Dinner and rest come next as you prepare for a midnight summit attempt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Early lunch at Hacienda El Porvenir), Dinner, Snack (Calorie-rich snack before midnight departure)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Refugio Jose Ribas
- Mountain climbing techniques and safety practice with specialized guide
- Equipment familiarization and climbing gear training
Landmarks/POIs Refugio Jose Ribas - Day 5
Cotopaxi Summit Climb and Return to Quito
This is your summit day on Cotopaxi. The climb to the top takes 6 to 8 hours, then you'll descend over 3 to 4 hours. Your vehicle meets you at the bottom for the drive back to Hacienda El Porvenir, where you'll have a goodbye lunch and can grab a hot shower before returning to Quito.
- Meals
- Lunch (Goodbye lunch at Hacienda El Porvenir)
Included Activities
- Climb Cotopaxi Summit (5,897 meters / 19,342 feet)
- Descent from Cotopaxi Summit
Landmarks/POIs Cotopaxi Summit
