Hiking at the Cotopaxi National Park Ecuador

Hiking at the Cotopaxi National Park it is  an incredibly beautiful and rewarding experience because Cotopaxi National Park is a popular destination for visitors looking to hike, climb and trek, as well as those seeking to enjoy stunning panoramas from down below. Cotopaxi’s ecosystem is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including a unique combination of pine vegetation and wolves, pumas, bears, rabbits, condors, wild horses, and foxes.

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Volcano Cotopaxi is considered as one of the highest active volcano in the world. It has a beautiful cone-shape form and is one of the huge snowcapped mountains in the Ecuadorian highland. From Quito we head south on the Pan-American Highway until we reach the Cotopaxi National Park. Here we turn off towards the east, passing lake Limpiopungo and continuing towards the valley of the Pita River, where we start this pleasant round walk, constantly dominated by the majestic Cotopaxi. We cross moorland and lava fields and pass close to Rumiñahui volcano.

Travel program

Itinerary:

Day 1.- Quito – Cotopaxi National Park

Detailed Program


Day 1: Quito – Cotopaxi National Park
Early departure from Quito by motorcar on the Pan-American Highway to the south, to visit the Cotopaxi National Park, an ecological sanctuary of 88,920 acres, around the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano, which rises 5897 meters (19,347 feet) above sea level. The evergreen landscape of the Ecuadorian highlands is one of the main attractions, along valleys and mountains covered by multicolored fields.

After an hour and a half, the entrance to the park is reached and then it’s up a dirt road for approximately one hour. Upon arrival to the park there is an introductory briefing about the habitat of the Andean paramo or moorlands, its flora and fauna in the small Interpretation Center. Continue on to Limpiopungo Lagoon to observe a variety of birds and occasionally wild horses. On clear days, the Cotopaxi Volcano is the magnificent backdrop. A short walk around the lagoon allows the observation of the Andean flora. after that we go by car until to the parking lot at 4500 m from there we start the hiking until the Cotopaxi refuge.Rested a bit and continue to visit the glaciers at 5000m. Lunch is at a restaurant of the area before returning to Quito in the afternoon.

What's Included


Services included in the prices:
  • Private transportation to the whole tour
  • Professional guide
  • Cotopaxi national Park fee, and permit registration
  • Lunch in Andes alpes Cafe
Not included:
  • Personal mountain gear (warm cloths, sun glasses, head lamp, etc.
  • Extra drinks in the Hut
  • Tips
  • Insurance of any kind
  • Other non-specified expenses

Necessary Equipment:

  • Comfortable clothing (long sleeves)
  • Suncream
  • Sunglasses
  • Walking shoes
  • Comfortable shoes (easy to dry or rubber boots)
  • Camera
  • Backpack
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Extra dry clothes
  • Plastic bags
  • Water

Prices & Dates


Price: Contact us!
Other dates / additional info: Contact us!

Legend Booking-information
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