Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
More than a decade of Excellence on TripAdvisor! Dive into the adventure of a lifetime with CarpeDM Adventures as you ascend one of the world's towering titans - an active volcano soaring to a staggering 5,897 meters! And for those seeking seamless journeys, we've got you covered. Ready to embark? Reach out to us on WhatsApp at +593.98.534.1575 and let the adventure begin!
• 7.20 am Just outside our CarpeDM Operations / Go F.A.R Office
• 7.30 am Hilton Colon Hotel
• 07:45 Transfer to the Cotopaxi National Park - stop off to pick up snacks / breakfast on the way.
• 09:30 Enter Cotopaxi National Park
• 10:00 Mariscal Sucre Interpretation Centre: The guide will give an explanation of the area, volcanoes, vegetation, animals.
• 10:30 4600m car park, begin the hike up to the Basecamp
• 12:30 Reach refuge at 4.864m.
• 13:00 Reach Glacier 5,000m. depends on conditions
• 14:00 Arrive at Limpiopungo lake.
• 15:00 Eat lunch - Included at traditional local Restaurant
• 16:00 Return to Quito
Additional Info
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
What to bring:
Warm clothing
Waterproof jacket
Gloves, scarf, hat
Hiking boots or trekking shoes
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Extra snacks and water
Face masks
Hand sanitizer
What To Expect
Since this is a private tour you can confirm with us if you prefer an additional short hike instead of the downhill bike ride. Itinerary • 7:30 Meet at meeting point CarpeDM Office (Jose Antepara E4-38 and Los Ríos, Old Town sector) • 07:45 Transfer to the Cotopaxi National Park • 09:30 Enter Cotopaxi National Park • 10:00 The guide will give explanation of the area, volcanoes, vegetation, animals etc. • 10:30 4600m car park, begin hike up to the refuge • 12:30 Reach refuge at 4.864m. return to parking lot • 13:00 Equipment Check – Begin Bike ride back to the Limpiapungo lake (short 3 - 5 km ride) • 14:00 Arrive at Limpiapungo lake. • 15:00 Eat lunch (included) • 16:00 Return to Quito
Cotopaxi National Park
Behold the majestic Cotopaxi, a vision of perfection with its impeccably symmetrical cone draped in a lavish cloak of snow and ice. A crowning jewel of Ecuador, this volcano beckons travelers from across the globe, making it the nation's most adored and ascended peak. Nestled amidst the ethereal paramo plateau of the Cotopaxi National Park, witness wild horses roaming freely, their silhouettes dancing against the vast plains. They converge by the serene Limpiopungo lagoon, a mirror reflecting the pristine white summits of the neighboring Volcan Rumiñahui. This haven is not just a sight, but a symphony of nature, where waterfowl and avian wonders serenade the soul. 1. Mariscal Sucre Interpretation Centre - get your passport stamped :) 2. Basecamp 4864 m Jose Rivas Refuge 3. Laguna Limpiopungo - followed by a hearty lunch that is included.
Options
Cotopaxi Quest Day Tour!
What‘s Included
What’s Included:
Transport
Lunch
Guide
What’s Not Included:
Additional Snacks / Beverages
TIPS
Breakfast
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
111 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Exceptional Guides
lyndalP6239VC,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Grueling weather conditions that our guide offered options for creating safety and even comfort for everyone there! We were all successful in our journey!
Excellent Tour!
GwenCooper,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience, I highly recommend it. Felipe was a great guide. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. Very flexible and accommodating. He worked to make sure the tour worked for my fitness level and interests.
Cotopaxi Trip for Families
Go35556207603,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband, 13 yo and I traveled to Cotapaxi with CarpeDM. They were well organized and the trip went great. We met at their office, took their bus to Cotapaxi, did a short hike to the base camp (which was challenging because of the altitude), did a short mountain bike ride down the road to the Laguna and then popped over to the visitor center (where we fed lamas and learned about volcanoes in Ecuador) and then we were off to lunch followed by the bus ride back to Quito. Our guide really enjoys his job and provides lots of great information. He was even available to give me advice on other excursions in Ecuador we’d like to do. If you’re not feeling well at altitude and not up for the full hike, you can wait at the bus, take in the views and maybe see a local fox. Biking is optional. Only 3 of 8 of us did it. The trip was great. Equipment was safe.
Great day trip!
lindseycD4425NR,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I had a great day trip to Cotopaxi during out trip to Ecuador! Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable and took us to some quaint spots along the way that we likely wouldn't have seen on a large tour. We hiked to the basecamp, which we weren't sure about at first, but are so glad we did!! Make sure to bring a lot of layers because the weather can be much different than it is in Quito! I would highly recommend another trip with Carpedm!
Out of my comfort zone and much better for the experience
johntG156NK,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We started the hike at 4500m and went to almost 4900m, which took over an hour. It was quite cold; I wished I’d brought hat and gloves, but the tour was a spur of the moment decision. The thin air was making my chest thump, though the guide Felipe often checked in on everyone and encouraged us to take breaks. The views were spectacular and worth every bit of the climb. After we returned to the bus, we drove back down the road and at a point began riding cross country bikes down the dirt road. The guide was very safety oriented and made sure we were completely aware of the dangers. I appreciated that the guide repeatedly said it wasn’t a race, and that ambulance and hospital were very far away. I felt fully informed when we were asked to sign a waiver. We rode down for about half an hour over what someone called washboard road. It was bumpy but really fun. I was very impressed with Felipe; I always felt safe and he was very approachable.
Hiking towards Cotopaxi
andreaskT5950RL,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A wonderful day trip! We had a great time with our guide, good conversation, information and finally good weather to see the magnificent Cotopaxi. As far as I can tell it was reasonable price for an adventure you should not miss while you’re in Quito!
Amazing company!!!
570JenniferV,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I did the Cotopaxi Volcano tour as an add-on option booked through G Adventures, and it was an amazing experience from start to finish. Everything was extremely well organized and professionally managed while still being fun and relaxed. The tour guide was incredibly friendly and kind, providing great background information about the volcano and the different sites we passed along the way. He made sure everyone felt comfortable on the trail, always checking on the group and making sure the slowest person was never left behind. I really appreciated how attentive and supportive he was throughout the hike. The driver was also excellent, and the whole team worked together seamlessly. The tour guide was very mindful of dietary restrictions and made sure lunch met everyone’s needs, which showed great attention to detail. As a nice bonus, we also received t-shirts and chocolate, which was a thoughtful touch. What I appreciated the most was their honesty and professionalism. I accidentally left my phone on the bus after being dropped off, and they coordinated everything so quickly that I had it back within 15 minutes. They were very helpful and nice about my mistake. As a foreign traveler, that was incredibly reassuring and meant a lot that they were so considerate about a lost cell phone being an urgent issue. Overall, this was a fantastic Cotopaxi tour. Professional, organized, friendly, and thoughtful from beginning to end. I would absolutely recommend this experience to anyone visiting Ecuador. One of the best tour operators I’ve ever used across multiple continents and countries. Highly recommend!!!
Kind and professional care on Cotapaxi incident
H2995LJrebeccaa,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We had a lovely time. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly with good english. The journey up the mountain was really fun, just the right amount of challenging for us (m&f 37y). We did have an older party member who was older and struggled a little with the downhill, Filipe was very kind and helped her. She later fell off her bike and was badly injured requiring urgent medical care. Filipe was kind and professional. He arranged for us to take our prepaid lunches away so that we didn't miss out while ensuring our team member got speedy care. My only minor complaint for the whole trip was that the bikes had inadequate suspension for the downhill ride and my bum hurts!
First day in Ecuador
Gunta C,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lovely guide. Very informative and accommodating
Great tour guide
Guide08969249130,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00great tour guide! did a great job explaining well
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Operated by CarpeDM Adventures