Cotopaxi Volcano Hiking Expedition, Ecuador

Company : Worldaway Learning Tours
Location : Quito, Ecuador
Duration: 1 week to 6 weeks
Approx Costs: 1000 to 3000+ $ Dollars (US)
Group Size 5-10

Reach for the sky on this truly unique, fully guided, hiking adventure - including a summit of the infamous Cotopaxi Volcano @ 5800m!

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Experience our most explosively entertaining Learning Tour yet as you witness the Volcanoes of Ecuador!

Your arrival day will be a great chance to settle into your accommodations and get to know your Professional Tour Guides and your fellow travelers!

Find adventure like you’ve never seen before as the 8 Day Volcano Expedition takes you to new heights (over 5800 meters to be exact) and gives you the chance to discover rare scenic views and unique wildlife, and even learn a thing or two about high altitude glacier climbing!

You’ll find challenge and excitement out on the slopes of Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Adrenaline junkies and natural-wonder lovers alike will delight in the journeys that await on the 8 Day Volcano Hiking Expedition.

Monday starts off the week with a bang! Full of excitement and wonder, the Pichincha Volcano offers the best of both worlds: A Ride in a Cable Car up to 4000 meters and then a 600 meter hike to the top of the Volcano for a scenic lunch and time to explore!

Wildlife lovers delight on Tuesday as the 8 Day Volcano Hiking Expedition heads to the Antisana Reserve for a hike around the base of the Volcano to explore the petrified lava and do some Birdwatching! As you walk around the Reserve, you’ll see all kinds of rare wildlife and birds as this Reserve is home to 80% of the giant Condor Population of Ecuador!

The Cotacachi Cayapas Reserve and the Illinizas Reserve highlight Wednesday and Thursday as hikes around these breathtaking volcano craters serve as great opportunities to climatize yourself for the treks in the days to follow!

Your last two days are truly a grand-finale. The Cotopaxi National Park is home to the second highest active volcano in the entire world! After some training on day 1 to the glaciers around 5000 meters above sea level, the group will rest up for the evening’s trek. Our ascent to the top takes us to 5800 meters above sea level, reaching the top around 6 AM, just in time to witness a sunrise like you’ve never seen! You’ll then enjoy a well-earned breakfast at the hotel in the clouds before descending for the return to Quito.

Spots will fill up fast for this one, and the best part is, No Previous knowledge is necessary for the trip: anything you need to know, you’ll learn along the way from our Professional Guides! Make friends with fellow hikers, stay in high quality accommodations, and experience the journey of a lifetime! Sign up today!

Itinerary

Day 1: Sunday - Arrival
Collection from Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Quito. Transport to your accommodation. Welcome meeting to get to know your guide/s and the other travelers in your group.

Day 2: Monday - Pichincha Volcano
Breakfast at your hotel. At 7am, you will be picked up from your hotel. Then we make our way to Pichincha Volcano. We will travel by cable car 4000 meters above sea level, then hike the rest of the way to the top of the volcano at 4600 meters. Time for some lunch and to enjoy the scenery. Return to the hotel around 4pm.

Day 3: Tuesday - Antisana Reserve & Birdwatching
Breakfast at your hotel. At 7am, you will be picked up from your hotel. Depart to Antisana Reserve - Hike around the reserve to acclimatize, and do some bird watching. This reserve is home to 80% of the Condor population in Ecuador so there is a high possibility that you will observe condors flying. You will also see petrified lava and if your lucky, the volcano. Return to the hotel around 6pm.

Day 4: Wednesday - Cotacachi Cayapas Reserve
Breakfast at your hotel. At 7am, you will be picked up from your hotel. Depart to Cotacachi Cayapas Reserve for some hiking around the Cuicocha lake (crater). Time for some lunch on the volcano. Return to the hotel around 6pm.

Day 5: Thursday - Illinizas Reserve
Breakfast at your hotel. At 7am, you will be picked up from your hotel. Depart to Illinizas Reserve, located near Cotopaxi area - we will do some hiking to prepare and climatize for the next day. Box lunch. Return to Quito around 5pm.

Day 6: Friday - Cotopaxi National Park
Breakfast at your hotel. Pick up from hotel (hour to confirm), then we travel to the Cotopaxi National Park, home of the second highest active volcano in the world. We will have some training to the glaciers 5000 meters above sea level at 6pm. Time for dinner and some well earned rest before we start our ascent to the top at 5800 meters above sea level.

Day 7: Saturday - Cotopaxi National Park
We will reach the top around 6am. Right on time to see the sunrise up there in the middle of the clouds. Yay! Breakfast at your hotel in the clouds! Time to make our way down then return to Quito.

Day 8: Sunday - Departure Day
Breakfast at your hotel. Return transfers to Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Quito.