Cotopaxi

Vulcan Cotopaxi: one of the highest volcanoes in South America, with a height of 5,897 meters above the sea level. Located in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador. Due to its last movements, the volcano threw gases, stones and is expected to erupt soon. At this moment it is only possible to climb up to the refuge at 4864 meters above sea level. At this point you will find absolute peace of mind! Check out my photo gallery!

How to get there without expensive tours from Quito

The are two different options how to get to the Cotopaxi Volcano. Take a Bus from Quito that goes into the direction of the city Lacatunga. Ask a driver to drop you on the highway there all the guides wait for the tourists, (there is only point). Every driver knows where it is. Another and the second option is to travel to Lacatuga and take a bus into the direction of Quito and tell the driver to drop you in the same place. (I did that as I stayed in Lacatunga for 1 night).

Once getting out of the bus you have to go into the direction of parking where all the pick ups or 4×4 cars are parked. You will see them from the bus. Once getting there, ask all of the guides how much will they charge you. Of course at the beginning everybody will try to charge you the highest price possible. But please negotiate. The best idea is to go with some people, other travellers or simply people that you met in the hostal so the price will be cheaper. The driver that you chose will drive you to the entrance of the national park where you have to register (take your passport with you, you can get a stamp in the Refugee). After that you will still have to drive for another 50 minutes before you start hiking. If you are lucky, in the car the driver or the guide will explane you everything about flora and fauna of this volcano.

Once arrived to the start point, you will start hiking for another approx. 2 or 3 hours before getting to the Jose Rivas Refugee at the attitude of 4864 metres above the Sea Lever. This is the highest point where you can get by now, due to the active behaviour of the Volcano Cotopaxi.

How much does it cost?

For the whole trip with a car it shouldn’t cost you more than 40 USD. Nevertheless I did the tour for 20USD as I met many backpackers like me so we were bigger group and we negotiated the price with a couple of guides. Don’t pay for expensive tours of 90USD from the city of Quito or Lacatunga, do it by yourself as it is very easy, cheaper and more adventurous.