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.
Private Cotopaxi Volcano & Birdwatching Full-Day Tour
+21 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 7–8 hours
- Price from
- $125 / person
- Location
- Quito, Ecuador
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 19 reviews
- Languages
- EN, ES
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Galapagos My World
Description
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. To enjoy a better experience during this tour, we recommend bringing a camera with a telephoto lens or binoculars.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 7:30 AM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 18–64)
- $125
- Senior (ages 65–75)
- $125
- Youth (ages 13–17)
- $70
- Child (ages 7–12)
- $65
- Infant (ages 0–0)
- $30
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $249.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Quito
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.
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.
Cotopaxi National Park
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
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.
Laguna de Limpiopungo
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.
Quito
Finally, we drive back to the city of Quito to drop you off at the same meeting point.
What's included
Included
Pick up from Quito City or Airport
Private transportation
Expert Guide
Not included
Travel Insurance
Lunch
Tips
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
19 reviews
How it compares in Quito
- Starting price $125 is 10% below the typical $139 for tours of similar length in Quito
Excurgo comparison of 999 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- 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
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Private Cotopaxi Volcano & Birdwatching Full-Day Tour take?
Private Cotopaxi Volcano & Birdwatching Full-Day Tour lasts about 7–8 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
How much does Private Cotopaxi Volcano & Birdwatching Full-Day Tour cost?
Prices start at $125 per person for this Quito experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $249. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Private Cotopaxi Volcano & Birdwatching Full-Day Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 7:30 AM.
How much does Private Cotopaxi Volcano & Birdwatching Full-Day Tour cost for children?
Children aged 7–12 pay from $65, adults from $125.
Can I cancel Private Cotopaxi Volcano & Birdwatching Full-Day Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup points include Hotel Dann Carlton Quito, Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife Reserve.
What languages is Private Cotopaxi Volcano & Birdwatching Full-Day Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Private Cotopaxi Volcano & Birdwatching Full-Day Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 19 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Galapagos My World.
Reviews(19)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
L
Strenuously Awesome Cotopaxi
A
Incredible scenery
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
W
Expert Guide, Convenient Service, Great Experience!
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.
L
Had a fantastic experience with our knowledgeable guide!
We had a fantastic time on our tour with Eduardo. He was a good driver and very knowledgeable on all the sights we saw along the way. The hike up to the refuge is strenuous if you’re not an experienced hiker, and be sure to pack hiking gear and warm clothing. The lagoon is an easier walk and we got to see a lot of flora, fauna and some birds. Would highly recommend this tour if prefer your own pace and you don’t want to be with a large group.
N
Excelente experiencia
"Visited Cotopaxi with family; its majestic beauty and pristine landscapes made for unforgettable moments." Let me know if you need any changes!
3
Ecuador: Thanks for the memories.
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and thorough. He took us to many areas that show Ecuador as it really is. His love for his country was very apparent and made us value our experience even more. The complete journey left us with a lasting impression of the beauty of Ecuador. We have many pictures to prove it! He even took pictures for us and sent them to us. Thanks for caring that our experience was positive. Carol and Vester Bailey
M
volcán Cotopaxi experience
Great physical challenge, it deserves all the respect possible. It is advisable to purchase a guided tour that prepares people for the changes in the body. Very cold, even with good weather, there is a lot of wind. You should climb very slowly, taking short steps that do not generate too much effort, drink small sips of water, eat chocolate and use sunscreen if possible even when it is cloudy.
P
SIMPLY THE BEST
Been to Quito before, but never got to meet the best guide and tours, till now when I met Eduardo. This company * Eduardo* .took us to Cotopaxi , hummingbird sanctuary great hikes, waterfalls, Quilotoa, Mindo, chocolate experience. Very nice. Would recommend them 1000%.
M
SUPER TOUR BY EDUARDO
Super Tour. We contacted Eduardo for touting around Quito. Wel we could not imagine what was in store fir us. We were picked up early in the morning and drove to the volcanos. Eduardo, our guide, was very knowledgeable and very helpful. Comfortable vehicle, and got lots of interesting information during our trip. When in Quito, beleave me, you should not miss their tours. And I truly believe Eduardo is the best.
V
Happy 😊
I am from the coast and this was my first experience in a volcano. The walk to the refuge was excellent and the landscape spectacular. A great trip!!! I will never forget. I recommend you it. Enjoy nature.
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from$125
5.0(19) Free cancellation