Cotopaxi | Andes

19,348-foot volcanic peak in Ecuador

0 ft

Elevation

Ecuador

Country

Days

2A

Difficulty

Early Dec

Start

Mid Feb

End

About the Mountain

WHY CLIMB IT?

If you’re the sort of climber who enjoys adventurous destinations, why not try summiting one of the world’s highest active volcanos? Between its varied terrain and imposing, conical shape that can be seen from faraway Quito, Cotopaxi (19,348 feet) is a climber’s dream. It’s the perfect place to raise intermediate climbing skills up a notch, though you should be comfortable with roped travel, crampon and ice axe use, and steep slopes before attempting it. You’ll cross glaciers, fields of crevasses, snow bridges, and steep patches of snow until you reach the awe-inspiring volcanic rim overlooking a 1,000-foot crater.

“There are few more quintessentially conical volcanoes, and it’s hard to look at without wanting to climb it.”

- Mark Horrell

Since you’ll likely be left wanting more of the Ecuadorian Andes once you get a taste in Cotopaxi, Chimborazo (20,703 ft) and Cayambe (18,997 ft) are two nearby peaks you might consider adding to your itinerary. Cayambe is similar in difficulty and required skills to Cotopaxi, while Chimborazo requires 5 days of extra effort. But it’s well worth it to stand at the highest point in Ecuador. To round out the trip of a lifetime, you can make a short journey to the Galapagos after for a more relaxed sort of adventure.