Cotopaxi Volcano Quest with CarpeDM Adventures: Awarded for Excellence on TripAdvisor
5.0
42 Ratings
Quito

Embark on the Cotopaxi Volcano Quest with CarpeDM Adventures and experience the thrill of ascending one of the world’s tallest active volcanoes. Join us for a seamless journey and unforgettable adventure. Contact us now!

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Go F.A.R. Project Ecuador - 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…
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What's Included
  • Transport included
  • Lunch provided
  • Professional guide services
What's Not Included
  • What’s Not Included:
  • Additional Snacks / Beverages
  • TIPS
  • Breakfast
Additional Information

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…

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Location
Go F.A.R. Project Ecuador
Los Rios
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(42 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Natalieak6445zz
Sep 21, 2024
Must do!! - Incredible trip, wonderful guide Felipe and bus driver Pratricio. So much fun and so safe!! I was so taken care of when I felt a little altitude sickness. Beautiful and can not be missed!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H5850vdjessicaj
Aug 27, 2024
Would recommend! Felipe was awesome!! - Felipe was great!! So informative and helpful! Was able to answer all extra questions. Was on time, in schedule. It was a bit chilly with extra wind for the hike to base camp. Loved the surprise at the end at the restaurant! 😉
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Wander56272477498
Aug 4, 2024
Great adventure day on the Cotopaxi - Alejandro explained a lot to us and led us safely at 5000 m. The downhill ride on the dirt track and the final meal rounded off the day wonderfully. Great guide, great experience. 🤩
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Dianatf4114qh
Apr 27, 2024
An unforgettable experience - The views are amazing. We had concerns about the elevation, but finally decided to go. Dorian was very helpful as we changed our plans several times. Our guide Lincoln is very professional, also very helpful and flexible. He even offered to take us to the rose plantation after we did the cotapaxi. What an unforgettable experience!
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Juliushjohansen
Apr 2, 2024
Alejandro, the best guide in Cotopaxi - We had an amazing daytrip to Cotopaxi Vulcano with our guide Alejandro. He was super nice and knowledgeable. He told us everything about his beautiful country and showed us it's fantastic nature. Would highly recommend this trip and Alejandro as a guide to anyone who wants to visit the stunning vulcano!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sherpa270394
Apr 1, 2024
Wonderful adventure! - Really appreciated the valuable knowledge of the guide and the friendly atmosphere he provided. I also thoroughly enjoyed the pace of the hike and the fantastic views
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Frugaldave
Jan 28, 2024
Hiking and biking in Cotopaxi National Park - My wife and I took this tour less than 24 hours after arriving from sea level Florida, probably not the wisest decision as my wife had a slight headache since checking into our Quito hotel the evening before, probably from the change in altitude. It turned out we had a “private” tour simply because no one else had booked that day. We appreciated that CarpeDM ran the tour anyway; we’ve had experiences with previous tours operators in other countries that would cancel or try to have us reschedule. We met our guide, Alejandro, at the CarpeDM location in Quito where he outfitted us with bicycles, then packed them into his vehicle. His English was excellent and he had an enjoyable personality. As expected the drive up to Cotopaxi National Park was scenic. The exhibits inside near the entrance were very interesting and informative regarding the volcanos, flora and fauna in this region of Ecuador. After arriving at the parking lot for the hike up to “Refugio José Rivas” we put on our warmer clothing and started up, given the option of either the shorter but steeper route, or the longer, windier but less steep zigzag path. We chose the latter. Alejandro gave us hiking poles to use. Shortly after starting my wife realized that her headache was worse so she wisely decided to return to Alejandro’s vehicle to await our return. The hike was strenuous for me. My Strava app said it took 52 minutes to climb 1.3 miles, rising almost 700 feet, although I believe it was closer to 1000 feet. Alejandro patiently kept behind me, encouraging me to rest and catch my breath frequently (actual overall elapsed time was 1hr 6m) and monitor my heart rate. It was chilly, windy with occasional light rain but doable. Being 65 years old and 15 lbs overweight were balanced out by being very active cardio-wise at home. If I had problems with the altitude it would have been a different story. As they say, “Your results may vary.” Not that I could have, the 3000+ foot extra ascent from José Rivas to the summit is currently forbidden due to the possibility of noxious gases being released from the cone. Never mind you need crampons and ice pick axes. After resting at the refuge station we headed down the steeper, shorter (1.0 mile) in about 33 minutes. Next we descended by his vehicle on the unpaved park road and stopped for a short (4 mile) downhill ride on the bicycle (mountain bike with front suspension and wide tires). Easy as it was almost all downhill with minimal pedaling. Alejandro kept pace behind me until we came to our stopping point where he packed up the bikes. On the way back to Quito we stopped for a nice lunch (included) at a small restaurant in Latacunga. After eating our real food we fed carrots to the resident llamas in their backyard. The drive back to Quito was uneventful, returning just as the afternoon rush hour was commencing. Overall we strongly recommend the tour, keeping in mind your fitness and ability to cope with the high altitude.
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Deya_argoti
Jan 24, 2024
Experiences that fill the heart - Climbing Cotopaxi was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had, being able to see so much fauna and flora and breathing fresh air, being able to connect with nature and with my spirit was something so magnificent. I recommend visiting this majestic place that Ecuador offers us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
97lindsayc
Jan 20, 2024
A windy and rainy hike up Cotopaxi - Although the weather on Cotopaxi didn’t cooperate, we had a great time. The tour picks you up in Quito (at our hostel in La Mariscal) and takes you out to Cotopaxi National Park. While there, the tour guide points out wildlife and we also stopped at a small museum with details about the volcanos in the surrounding area. Our guide Alejandro was very nice and the tour was informative. From there you proceed up to a parking lot where you will hike to base camp. The hike is quite strenuous as the route is steep. For us, it was very rainy and windy. Be sure to wear good hiking boots and prepare for cold weather. After base camp, you can go further to the glacier but we didn’t as it was too cloudy that day. You then will descend back to the van and can bike the rest of the way down to the lake. Lunch was delicious and you can feed the llamas at the restaurant as well before the drive back to Quito.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pippag334
Jan 5, 2024
Great day trip! - Great day trip with amazing views, an epic hike and a great lunch. The cycle ride was pretty bumpy so not the most pleasant but the rest of the day more than made up for it!
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Check Availability
From $89
From $89
up to 10 guests
1 Adult
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).
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