Brief Itinerary 5D/4N

The  best acclimatization program, designed for you to enjoy the most beautiful day-climbs in the Central Andes of Ecuador, exploring the native forest of Pasochoa Volcano, the vast  highland paramos of Rumiñahui Volcano, while learning about the geology, the natural and cultural history of the area.

The Three Summit Challenge will get you ready for the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano.

  • Day 1.- Pasochoa Volcano
  • Day 2.- Rumiñahui Volcano
  • Day 3.- Cotopaxi Rope Course and hike at Hacienda El Porvenir
  • Day 4.- Glaciers
  • Day 5.- Climbing Cotopaxi

* Tour available year round

Level of Difficulty

Technical Level Physical effort
Moderate- Advanced Advanced

Detailed itinerary

Day 1 Climbing Pasochoa

We will transfer from Quito early in the morning to the Hacienda Santa Rita Ecological Reserve. From there we will start our climb to the Pasochoa Volcano Summit. We begin our hike through trails of High Andean Forest which are under conservation at Santa Rita. After five hours of climbing and exploring different ecosystems, we reach the summit of the Volcano with an altitude of 4200 m / 13.776 ft. Packed lunch is included. At the end of the tour, we reach our vehicle, which will transfer us to Hacienda El Porvenir.

Overnight stay at Hacienda El Porvenir.

Day 2 Rumiñahui Volcano

Hacienda Breakfast. We start our hike on the slopes of Rumiñahui Volcano, through exclusive trails at Hacienda El Porvenir. We will traverse agricultural fields and reach the high grasslands of the páramo. On the way we might see herds of wild horses and cattle grazing. Once we reach the base of the rock we start climbing through steep sand slopes until we reach the Central Summit (4634 m / 15200 ft.) of Rumiñahui Volcano (4722 m / 15488 ft.) Packed lunch is included.  We will return to the Hacienda El Porvenir house for an overnight stay. The climb takes about seven hours, round trip.

Day 3 Cotopaxi Rope Course and hike at Hacienda El Porvenir

Hacienda Breakfast. On the third day we will go out on a short hike on exclusive Hacienda trails and arrive at the Manto Blanco waterfall.  This  conservation area has been reforested with native trees. We will have lunch at the Hacienda. During the afternoon we will have some fun on the Cotopaxi High Rope Course, next to the hacienda house. Overnight stay at the Hacienda.

Day 4 Cotopaxi Glaciers

After breakfast we will try out our mountain climbing gear. We will have an early lunch at Hacienda El Porvenir and transfer via car to the Refugio José Ribas. From there we will climb to the hut (4800 m / 15.744 ft). During the afternoon we will practice safety and mountain climbing techniques with our specialized climbing guide to get acquainted with the gear. We will then eat dinner and rest. 23H00 we prepare ourselves for the climb that will lead us to Cotopaxi Summit (5897 m / 19.342 ft.) Calorie-rich snack before departing.

Day 5 Climbing Cotopaxi

The reach Cotopaxi’s Summit takes form seven to eight hours approximately, and three to four hours to get down from it. Our vehicle will be waiting for us at the car park and will transfer us to Hacienda El Porvenir. Lunch and hot shower at El Porvenir. Return to Quito at 14H00.

Tour Includes
  • Accommodation (based on double occupancy)
  • Described meals
  • One soft drink per meal
  • Described activities
  • Guides (English speaking Mountaineering Guide and native guide)
  • Climbing Gear (boots, crampons, harness, helmet, sunglasses, mittens, piolette)
  • Entrance fee to Santa Rita Ecological Reserve
  • Transport from and to Quito
  • Entrance to APU Mountain SPA wet area
Tour does not include
  • Dinner at El Porvenir
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Tips
  • Taxes

*IMPORTANT: PLEASE CHECK OUR WAIVER OF LIABILITY