Cotopaxi active volcano hike, Ecuador
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 1.54 mi
- Elevation gain
- 787 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 787 ft
- Max elevation
- 16,080 ft
- TrailRank
- 42
- Min elevation
- 15,269 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- one hour
- Time
- one hour 52 minutes
- Coordinates
- 451
- Uploaded
- April 7, 2023
- Recorded
- April 2023
near Ovejería, Pichincha (Ecuador)
Viewed 122 times, downloaded 7 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Cotopaxi hike - the world's highest active volcano.
Due to hike exigency and risk, it's mandatory to enter the Cotopaxi National Park with a professional mountaineering guide, as a full-day excursion.
I recommend G Adventures agency, with a very nice and knowledgeable guide. The price is about 56 euros. The pick up starts in one of city center hotels.
With no previous preparation it's possible to hike to the base camp at 4864 m, and a little bit higher at 5000 m. However, it's demanding and much easier to hike for physically active people.
The trail is covered with black volcanic ashes.
Experienced cyclists can opt to bike, while going down.
In the park it's possible to see wild horses, foxes, deers, wild dogs, plenty of different birds.
Worth Packing: Warm clothing, Waterproof jacket, Gloves, Scarf, Hat, Hiking boots or trekking shoes, Sunglasses, Sunblock, Extra snacks and water.
The weather can vary every 15 minutes, from sun to rain or snow.
It takes 30-45 minutes to get to the glacier. Some breaks are mandatory due to high blood pressure caused by altitude.
To prevent from altitude sickness, it's not recommended to take coffee. The drink made of cocoa leaf can help with the sickness, it's served in a nearby restaurant. Alpacas can be rarely found in the Cotopaxi National Park, but some of them are close to the restaurant.
Due to hike exigency and risk, it's mandatory to enter the Cotopaxi National Park with a professional mountaineering guide, as a full-day excursion.
I recommend G Adventures agency, with a very nice and knowledgeable guide. The price is about 56 euros. The pick up starts in one of city center hotels.
With no previous preparation it's possible to hike to the base camp at 4864 m, and a little bit higher at 5000 m. However, it's demanding and much easier to hike for physically active people.
The trail is covered with black volcanic ashes.
Experienced cyclists can opt to bike, while going down.
In the park it's possible to see wild horses, foxes, deers, wild dogs, plenty of different birds.
Worth Packing: Warm clothing, Waterproof jacket, Gloves, Scarf, Hat, Hiking boots or trekking shoes, Sunglasses, Sunblock, Extra snacks and water.
The weather can vary every 15 minutes, from sun to rain or snow.
It takes 30-45 minutes to get to the glacier. Some breaks are mandatory due to high blood pressure caused by altitude.
To prevent from altitude sickness, it's not recommended to take coffee. The drink made of cocoa leaf can help with the sickness, it's served in a nearby restaurant. Alpacas can be rarely found in the Cotopaxi National Park, but some of them are close to the restaurant.
Waypoints
Mountain pass
15,307 ft
Summit
Picnic
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