Cotopaxi 2-Day Trek

A hiker looking at Cotopaxi Volcano from a trail in the national park The páramo of Cotopaxi National Park seen from the slopes of the volcano Hikers on the volcanic slopes of Cotopaxi under the clouds The boardwalk at Limpiopungo Lagoon in Cotopaxi National Park The José Rivas Refuge on the slopes of Cotopaxi The valley below Cotopaxi seen from the trail to the refuge

Overview

The Cotopaxi 2-day trek is two days on foot around Cotopaxi Volcano: the páramo and Limpiopungo Lagoon on the first day, a night at a mountain lodge near the park, and the walk up to the José Rivas Refuge and the glacier on the second. No climbing experience needed.

Itinerary

Day 1: Machachi to Cotopaxi National Park

We meet in the morning at our office in Machachi and drive into the park. If you add the pickup, your guide collects you at your hotel in Quito first.

Starts and ends: our office in Machachi
Pickup in Quito: available as an extra

Day 1: the páramo and Limpiopungo

About 5 hours on foot across the páramo at the foot of Cotopaxi and Rumiñahui, past Limpiopungo Lagoon at 3,830 m, among wild horses, deer and Andean birds.

A night at a mountain lodge

Dinner and a warm night at a mountain lodge near the park, with Cotopaxi outside the window if the sky is clear.

Day 2: the José Rivas Refuge

An early start for the clearest views: from the parking lot at 4,600 m, the walk up to the José Rivas Refuge at 4,864 m and, if weather and terrain allow, to the edge of the glacier. The summit itself is a separate climb: see the Cotopaxi summit climb.

Return to Machachi

Down through the park and back to Machachi in the afternoon, or to your hotel in Quito if you added the pickup. For more climbs and treks in Ecuador, see Ecuador Ascents.

What's included

Included

  • Transport from and to our office in Machachi
  • Local English-speaking mountain guide
  • One night at a mountain lodge near the park
  • Dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch on both days
  • Bottled water

Not included

  • Pickup in Quito or other cities (you can add it as an extra)
  • Park entry fees, if any
  • Tips

Good to know

Fitness
No trekking experience is needed, but you should be able to walk 5 to 6 hours a day at altitude. Your guide sets a slow, steady pace.
Altitude
The trek goes from about 3,500 m to almost 5,000 m. The night in between helps your body adapt: walk slowly and drink plenty of water.
The volcano
Cotopaxi is an active volcano. The park sometimes limits access to the upper areas; if that happens, we adapt the route.

How booking works

  1. Choose your date and group. The price per person drops as your group grows, and you see the total before you send anything.
  2. Check availability. Nothing is booked or charged yet; we confirm your date first.
  3. Pay and enjoy. Once confirmed, we send you a secure payment link by email or WhatsApp.

FAQ

Where do we sleep?
At a mountain lodge near the park, with dinner and breakfast. If you'd rather camp, tell us when you check availability.
What should I pack?
A day pack, hiking boots, warm layers, a rain jacket, a hat, gloves, sunglasses and sunscreen. We tell you the rest when we confirm your trek.
Can I climb to the summit on this trek?
No. The summit is a separate 2-day climb with a certified mountain guide and a night at the refuge. The trek is a good way to acclimatize before it.
How hard is the Cotopaxi 2-day trek?
No trekking experience is needed, but you should be able to walk 5 to 6 hours a day at altitude, from about 3,500 m to almost 5,000 m. Your guide sets a slow, steady pace.
When is the best time for the Cotopaxi 2-day trek?
You can go all year. The drier months, June to September and December to January, usually bring the clearest views of the volcano, and the mornings are clearer than the afternoons, which is why we start early.
Can you pick me up in Quito?
Yes. Add the pickup in Quito when you check availability, or ask us about other cities. It has an extra cost.

More tours

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Day tour
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Two volcanoes
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Hotel pickup in Quito
Cotopaxi Day Tour from QuitoFull day, about 10 hoursOur Cotopaxi tour from Quito is a full day at the volcano with pickup at your hotel: Limpiopungo Lagoon, the walk up to the José Rivas Refuge and, if conditions allow, the edge of the glacier. Back in Quito by late afternoon.From $90 per personView tour →
$350 per person
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