Day 1 Pasochoa Volcano Summit (L,D)

Each day on the lodge-to-lodge hiking tour you will hike with a day pack, the rest of your luggage will be transported between lodges by back-up vehicle.

This morning we depart from Quito, after journeying south for around one hour we reach the trailhead which will lead us to the Pasochoa peak. We hike through Andean forest and high grasslands, climbing for around 3 hours to reach the Pasochoa Volcano summit at 4200m. Enjoy wonderful vistas of the extinct volcanic crater covered in dense cloudforest, along with a host of other volcanoes including Atacaso and Corazon.

Picnic lunch with 360-degree views.

In the afternoon our descent, which takes around 3 hours, brings us through high paramo grasslands, and offers plenty of opportunity to learn more about the fascinating flora and fauna of the zone. Today’s destination is Cotopaxipungo Lodge at 3200m, located next to the canyon of the Pita River.

Dinner and overnight in Cotopaxipungo Lodge.

Day 2 Pita Canyon Trail (B,L,D)

After breakfast we set off, walking upstream along the course of the tumbling Pita River. The trail this morning takes us through Andean forests and grasslands with constant river views. A number of pristine waterfalls are discovered along the way as we hike along the canyon. The Pita River is fed by the glacial waters which run off the Cotopaxi Volcano.

Today’s hike takes around 6 hours and brings us out onto a vast volcanic ash flatland, which slowly ascends towards Cotopaxi and today’s destination, Hacienda Los Mortiños at 3600m, at the north entrance to the national park.

Dinner and overnight in Hacienda Los Mortiños.

Day 3 Cotopaxi National Park Trail (B,L,D)

This morning we continue our walk along the Pita Canyon for around one hour, following a trail which offers spectacular views of the canyon itself, along with the Cotopaxi, Sincholagua & Rumiñahui Volcanoes.

We pass a number of immense volcanic mound formations and giant pieces of volcanic debris, hiking for an hour and a half of gentle ups and downs, to reach the “pucara” – an ancient ruin of an Incan fortress – located within the Cotopaxi National Park.

From here we loop around for another hour and a half of more gentle ups and downs along the flanks of the Cotopaxi Volcano with great opportunities to see Andean Condor, Andean fox, white-tailed deer and wild ponies.

The hike is classed as moderate, lasts for around 4 hours and takes place at an altitude of 3600m to 3800m.

Today’s destination is Hacienda Tambopaxi, a mountain lodge located within the Cotopaxi National Park.

Dinner and overnight in Hacienda Tambopaxi.

Day 4 Cotopaxi Glacier Hike (B,L)

This morning we jump in our private vehicle and are transported to the parking area of the Cotopaxi refuge at 4500m. From here we begin today’s hike.

Climbing for around 1 hour from the parking area we reach the mountain refuge at 4800m, then continuing on for around another 2 hours we can reach the edge of the Cotopaxi Glacier. From here the high altitude panoramic views are spectacular.

Your guide can point out the trail we have followed over the last 4 days from Pasochoa, along the Pita Canyon and into the flatlands of the National Park. We find ourselves surrounded by volcanes including Ruminahui and Sincholagua.

We descend back the way we came for around 2 hours before beginning our return journey to Quito where, on arrival, our tour ends.