CLIMBING COTACACHI
VOLCANO IN ECUADOR

Altitude: 4944m / 16220ft

Distance: 14km / 8.5mi

Duration: 1 Day

Date: All Year

Climbing Cotacachi volcano in Ecuador is excellent acclimatization training to climb the highest mountains in the country. Cotacachi is a 4944m high mountain that is located in the province of Imbabura to the north of the Cuicocha Lagoon. It is a somewhat technical mountain to climb, so it is not very visited by novice climbers and it is not common for climbing programs either. However, it is an incredible mountain for more experienced mountaineers looking for a different ascent with more adrenaline. Climbing Cotacachi volcano will test your abilities to ascend and descend in rocky terrain and also, it would be a very good mountain to finish the acclimatization to climb to the high mountains like Cotopaxi, Cayambe, Antisana or Chimborazo, besides that it is excellent to lose the fear on rocky terrains. The landscapes offered while climbing Cotacachi volcano are very varied, from wide grasslands to steep walls of volcanic rock that will make us enjoy this climb like no other.

We will start our hike at almost 4000m high. The route is perfect to go and enjoy the highlands that Ecuador has along with an incredible view of the surrounding volcanoes such as Cayambe, Imbabura and more. The path is not very marked and we will have a lot of loose rock in the upper part, so it is important to walk carefully and listening to the guide’s instructions. Climbing Cotacachi is normally done in one day and every four passengers will have a certified mountain guide. If you travel alone, the ascent will be carried out only by the certified guide with the passenger. Come to live this incredible experience touring the Andes of Ecuador and reach the summit of this beautiful mountain with us.

DAY 1: Climbing Cotacachi Volcano in Ecuador

We will pick you up from your hotel or place of preference at 06h00 where we will have a 2 hour trip in our private transport until we reach the entrance of the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve where we will begin our climb. We will give some brief safety instructions before starting and approximately 4 hours later, after crossing some beautiful grasslands and climbing some rock, we will reach the summit of the Cotacachi volcano where we will enjoy approximately 30 minutes depending on the weather conditions and we will see the neighboring giant volcanoes such as Cayambe, Antisana, Imbabura and many more. The descent will take us approximately two and a half hours until our return transport. The return trip to Quito takes approximately two hours, so we will make a stop on the way to have lunch before leaving you again at the starting point at your hotel or place of preference.

MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT (INCLUDED):

• Helmet.
• Harness.
• Shared Equipment (rope, carabiners, cord). 

CLOTHING REQUIRED (NOT INCLUDED):

Three layers of clothing for the legs and torso:
• Base layer: Thermal clothing for body and pants (usually made of synthetic material).
• Second layer: Warm jacket and pants, preferably water repellent (goose down, fleece or polar type).
• Third layer: Waterproof jacket and pants (in case of rain).
• An extra thermal or jacket (in case of extreme cold).
• Backpack between 25L and 35L.
• Gloves.
• Factor 4 sunglasses (with UV protection).
• Buff.
• Thick socks.
• Sunscreen.  

In case you do not have something from the list of personal clothing, Mauna Expeditions can provide you with the rental or sale of said accessories.

The services included in the cost of the program are:

✓ Registration and preparation for the best experience of your life.
✓ Guidance for the ascent with certified guides (ASEGUIM/UIAGM), one guide for every 2 people.
✓ Private door-to-door transportation for the entire day of the tour.
✓ Entry Permits. 
✓ Adventure video about the experience in the program.
✓ Mountain equipment (specified above).
✓ Lunch on the way down on the day of the ascent.
✓ Thermo of Mauna Expeditions.
✓ Buff of Mauna Expeditions.
✓ Lunch Box and hydration for the ascent.

The following services are NOT included in the cost of the program:

X Clothing and personal equipment.
X Airplane tickets.
X Hotel or hostel in Quito or place of preference.
X Life insurance or against some type of accident.
X Other expenses NOT specified in our program.
X Tips.

1 person: 
2 people: 
3-5 people: 
6-10 people: 
11-24 people:

To book a tour and set prices depending on the number of adventurers coming, please contact us CONTACT US.

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION OF THE PROGRAM

To book the ‘Climbing Cotacachi Volcano in Ecuador’ tour, Mauna Expeditions requires a payment of 25% of the cost of the program. Full payment must be made up to a maximum of two weeks before the start date of the tour. We do not send vouchers or confirmation messages until full payment for the program is made. Our team reserves the right to cancel the tour if the full payment is not made until the start date of the program.

The Mauna Expeditions team has put a lot of effort into organizing your program. Therefore, any cancellation must be made at least 21 days in advance. After 21 days, Mauna Expeditions may make a 50% refund depending on the cause of cancellation. Any cancellation notified less than 21 days from the start date of the program will be charged a penalty of 100% of the value of the program.

COSTS

Costs vary depending on the size of the group. A minimum of 1 person and a maximum of 24 people are required to make the ascent. For costs information please CONTACT US.

RECOMENDATIONS

Mountaineering is a high-risk sport, where we are exposed to conditions on extreme occasions. We do not recommend doing this activity for people with asthma or some kind of heart condition. The level of difficulty of the program is demanding and there is nothing that interests us more than your safety and that you enjoy our program without any external problem.