Climbing Cotopaxi

Where: Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
Best Sights: Magnificent views from the world’s highest active volcano
Remember to Bring: Food, water and your own sleeping bag.
Watch out for: Altitude sickness – acclimatise before you begin the trek.

Where it’s at

Located in the Parque Nacional Cotopaxi, mainland Ecuador’s most popular national park hosts the world’s highest active volcano. At over 18,000ft, Volcan Cotopaxi is Ecuador’s second highest peak and this snow-capped giant just begs to be climbed.

Although active, this ice-cream cone shaped volcano has not erupted since 1942, but some tremors were felt in the 1970’s. Hundreds of climbers of all levels attempt the peak each year, but altitude sickness is a real problem and you will need to make sure that you acclimatise first. Nausea, headache and fatigue may signal a bout of altitude sickness and sufferers should descend.

The park is about 40 miles south of Ecuador’s capital city, Quito, and halfway to Banos on the Pan-American Highway, or the Avenue of Volcanoes as it is aptly named. From the parking lot you can ascend as far as the somewhat spartan Jose Ribas Refugio at 13,000ft before attempting the last 3,000ft climb to the summit before dawn at around 12:00/1:00 am to avoid melting afternoon snow.

Trekkers tips

Entrance fee to the park is $20, and it costs $10 a night to stay at the Jose Ribas Refugio where there is running water, but you need to bring food and sleeping bag.

Guides can be arranged in Quito and Ambato. The SAEC organization in Quito can advise potential climbers of conditions in the park.