Day 01: Pasochoa - Alberge Cuello de Luna
A Tour to the protected woodland Pasochoa about 30 km south of Quito leads us to the Ecuadorian Andean timber forest. At the same time we can get used to the altitude. The entry is at 2700m. During the walk we will see bromelias, Orchids and rare types of ceders up to an altitude of more than 3.500m. The Cerro Pasochoa is 4.200 meters high and overgrazed with impressing Páramo vegetation. More than 150 species of birds live here. It is easy to see hummingbirds and with a little bit of luck we can even see Condors. In the afternoon we will drive to the Alberge Cuello de Luna that is our acclimatisation centre at the foot of the Cotopaxi. -/L/D

Day 02: Illinizas Norte - Albergue Cuello de Luna
Our acclimatization Tour take us today to the peak Illinizas Sur, a mixture of rocks and ice. The Illinizas North and south are the rest of one volcano and are separated 1 km from each other. From these peaks you will have a beautiful view on the nearby Cotopaxi. In the morning we start our Tour from Cuello de Luna to Tarqui and further we will drive past El Chaupi above to the hacienda "El Refugio". From here we walk on a country line 5 km to a little plain of grass with the name "La Virgen". We ascend in 2-3 hours to the refuge "Nuevos Horizontes" on 4675m. If you have a good physical fitness we can start the ascend to the northern peak today. We can reach this peak in 3 hours and hiking down takes about 1 hour. We come back to the Alberge for relaxation and hearty dinner. B/L/D

Day 03: Lagoon of Quilotoa - Alberge Cuello de Luna
During our 6-hour roundtrip in the car we will see the region of Chugchilan and Quilotoa Lake, which are one of the most impressing places of Ecuador. We begin in direction towards the South to Zumbuahua. It is a small, colourful village with 80 families. 10 km north lays the blue and green glimmering volcano lagoon of Quilotoa. This lake is one of the most beautiful volcano lakes in the Ecuadorian Andes. From the crater you can see the different snow topped volcanoes. After a short excursion we drive through Chugchilan and Sigchos and come back to Cuello de Luna. During this Tour we make stops and you have the possibility to see the original villages and the great landscape that contains a lot of orchids and birds. We will spend the night again in Cuello de Luna. B/L/D

Day 04: Cotopaxi National Park - Jose Rivas Refugium
At 10 o'clock we will go to el Chasqui from where we drive to the Cotopaxi National Park. Afterwards we will make a short stop at the natural museum to watch the flora and fauna of the park. After 3 hours we will reach the parking lot on 4.600m. >From here we walk about 1 hour to the "Jose-Rivas-Refuge" at 4.800m. After lunch we hike to the glaciers. In the afternoon we come back to the hut where we will have dinner and sleep early. B/L/D

Day 05: Climb Cotopaxi - return to Quito
After a little breakfast we start climbing at midnight. If the weather conditions and the physical conditions permit it, we will reach the peak (5.897 m) after 6-7 hours. If the weather is good, we will have a spectacular view on the surrounding, snow-covered volcanos. Afterwards we return to the hut. In the afternoon we head back to Quito. B/L/-

What to bring with you:
Sleeping bag, personal equipment, travel insurance, mountain equipment: gaiters, warm and waterproof clothes (Fleece and Gore-Tex), sunglasses, headlamp with batteries, gloves, sun block, torch, hat, trekking shoes, warm and water-proof clothing, canteen, camera and film (100 ASA).

Tour operators offering this adventure:

Ecuador tours and Galapagos cruises : www.latintrails.com