Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
Show more

Strenuously Cotopaxi Volcano and birding by lagoon

icon 7 to 8 hours Mobile ticket Free Cancellation
Tickets from € 76.43

Select your date

November 2024
Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30

You can select up to 15 travellers in total

0

Adult (18 - 64)

Maximun: 15
+
-
0

Youth (13 - 17)

Maximun: 15
+
-
0

Child (7 - 12)

Maximun: 15
+
-
0

Infant

Maximun: 15
+
-
0

Senior (65 - 75)

Maximun: 15
+
-
Contemplate the highest active volcano in Ecuador. The snow-capped volcano tops out 19,337 feet above sea level. Cotopaxi National Park is the most-visited tourist attraction in Ecuador Mainland. Discover more than a mountain in this volcanic complex full of biological diversity. Get inspired by the Cotopaxi one of the best trips in Ecuador. Take a walk on volcanic sand trails and feel the fresh air of the Andes. Feel the height sensation from the Jose Rivas volcanic refuge located at 15,748 feet. Fun and adventure wait for you at the almost perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone. Perfect place to walk with your friends and test yourself. Visit and photography a mesotrophic lagoon which houses some native birds or migratory. Wildlife can be seen crossing from the entrance to the high spot of the Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi was also an important indigenous settlement where a Pukara was built. Pukara means an indigenous military fortress.
See more
  • Pick-up and drop-off from Quito hotels
  • Cotopaxi National Park admission
  • A Naturalist Guide/Driver (English/Spanish-speaking)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Lunch
  • Tips
Departure Point

Traveler pickup is offered

We offer pick-up travellers from the Quito Airport (No extra cost)

Traveler pickup
  • Mariscal Sucre Airport, Quito, Ecuador
  • Quito, Quito, Ecuador
    Quito city to Cotopaxi National Park (9,000 feet high) Pick up from the hotel. Cotopaxi Volcano is located in Northen Andes of Ecuador. After a 2-hour drive, we get to the National Park whose altitude is 3,400 msl (11,154 feet). During the drive, we will observe the Andean ecosystem and volcanic sceneries. The climate we will find in the Cotopaxi National Park will depend on the season. The average temperature is 7° celsius (44° Fahrenheit), so we recommend bringing warm clothing, walking shoes and a rain or wind jacket.
  • Romerillos, Machachi, Ecuador
    Take a short break and try a hot coca tea, this ancient drink will help you to mitigate the altitude sickness during the walk. From the viewpoint, you can see two extinct volcanoes and farms.
    20 minutes
  • Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
    Upon arrival at the Cotopaxi National Park, we will carry out the respective check-in at the main entrance. From here, we will drive directly until we reach out the parking lot that is located at 14,763 feet above sea level. Here, we prepare to start a one-hour walk until we get in the Jose Ribas refuge, which is located at 15,748 feet. If you are not used to the height, you may feel a little fatigued, which is normal, for this reason, the walk can be slow and according to your physical conditions. After a great experience walking on the flanks of an active volcano, we will arrive at the refuge. The incredible view will be the reward of the walk. We will do the walk slowly, we adapt to the conditions of all travelers
    90 minutes
  • 8HP6+MH5, Latacunga Canton, Ecuador
    Once in the Jose Ribas refuge (4,800 m/15,748 ft), we just relax and enjoy a magnificent volcanic view so call the avenue of the volcanoes. Also, you can take amazing pictures and stamp your passport that will certify that you were in the highest active volcano in Ecuador. A delicious and hot mug of chocolate will be the reward upon arriving at the shelter.
    30 minutes
  • Laguna de Limpiopungo, Latacunga, Ecuador
    After the succulent lunch, we will visit the Limpopungo Lagoon (3,900 m/12,795 ft), the lagoon is fed by waters of the stone-faced volcan. The lagoon is located next to the fearsome Cotopaxi volcano. It is possible to make a one-hour walk around the edge of the lagoon. Exploring the lagoon, can encounter several species of birds including the Carunculated Caracara, Andean Lapwing, Andean Gulls, Andean Coots, Andean Teals, Great Yellow Legs (march), Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, Stout-billed Cinclodes, Tawny Antpitta, Baird's Sandpiper (July and August), Solitary Sandpiper (November and February). Other animals that can be observed depending on the time of the year are: South american foxes, farel horses, white tail deer, andean hare, puma, red deer, the opossum or raposa, mouse and the Andean weasel.
    45 minutes
  • Quito, Quito, Ecuador
    Finally, we drive back to the city of Quito to drop you off at the same meeting point.
    120 minutes
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Linda_H
07 Oct 2024
Cotopaxi! Higher by far than any mountain in the lower 48, and an active volcano. There are two ways to get to the refuge. The short way, which our guide Eduardo called "the heartbreaker." You can see the roof of the refuge from the start of this trail, but it is very steep and 3-4 inches (or more) deep in sand. The easier way, which we took, is long. Seemed like it had a hundred switchbacks. I am very slow and Eduardo was frequently checking on me. When we reached the refuge it started snowing and the snow continued throughout our ride back down the mountain. The refuge itself was fascinating. The red tile roof made me think I was in the Himalayas. There was very little light inside, mainly from the windows. Pictures of the flags of the world were posted on the walls and you were supposed to sign the flag from your country. The flag of Uruguay was at our table and we met several people from there. The refuge served hot chocolate, potato soup and chicken soup. A word about coca tea, which has been suggested to prevent altitude sickness: not for people with high blood pressure! I live at 6000 feet in the US and went up to 14000 feet a couple weeks before Cotopaxi, so that 16000 foot hike was not a problem. If you live at a lower elevation wait a few days to acclimatize. And taking it slow is ok! Thank you, Eduardo, for your patience.
Amanda_E
22 Jul 2024
Amazing tour! Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. We took our time on the hike to enjoy the scenery and catch our breath! It wasn’t too difficult and we saw people of all ages doing it! The lagoon was a nice surprise so many birds and beautiful surroundings
warrenwP8558NA
20 Feb 2024
Our tour of Cotopaxi was everything we hoped for, and we absolutely could not have done it without the help of Eduardo, our extremely knowledgeable guide. He went above and beyond to ensure that our transportation to the site was easy and convenient. He expertly navigated some very rough terrain, which is necessary to cross in order to reach the volcano. His help and patience were crucial in our completion of this high altitude hike, and we felt great about our accomplishment in having done so. Eduardo was also very adept at spotting and identifying local wildlife to enrich our experience even more. We valued his guidance very much and recommend his services to anyone who wants to take this particular tour or any other that he offers.
This tour in Quito is organized by Galapagos My World

The tickets have been added to your basket

Tickets in your cart: 0

Current total (incl. VAT): € 0.00


Continue shopping Go to checkout

We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
How great that you want to share your experience! Your feedback helps other travelers to make a better choice.

New review

Bad Disappointing Average Good Very good
0 / 120
0 / 255