Want to experience one of the highest active volcanoes in the world? Standing at 19,347 feet (or 5,897meters) above sea level, Cotopaxi feels like a distant, snow-capped postcard. Located just a two-hour drive south of Quito, it’s the perfect day trip. Summiting Cotopaxi requires technical prep and gear that were definitely outside our skill set. But hiking up to the José Rivas Refuge is an incredible accomplishment on its own. Below, you’ll find all the essential details, practical tips from our climb, and why this high-altitude trek is worth every breathless step.
What Is Cotopaxi?
Cotopaxi is an active stratovolcano, meaning it is built from steep layers of hardened lava, ash, and volcanic rock. It sits within a chain of mountains running through the Ecuadorian Andes, but it stands apart because of its massive near-perfect snow-capped peak.
Despite its peaceful appearance on a clear day, Cotopaxi is dynamic and unpredictable. As recently as 2015, increased seismic activity and massive plumes of ash forced authorities to close the surrounding national park for over a year. It reopened to visitors only after the volcano settled back down to safe baseline levels, serving as a clear reminder that this peak is very much alive.
Cotopaxi National Park and Its Wildlife
Established in 1975, Cotopaxi National Park spans roughly 129 square miles (or 334 square kilometers). The name Cotopaxi itself is often translated from indigenous Quichua roots to mean “Smooth Neck of Moon” or “Shining Mountain.” European scientists were fascinated by the peak during the 18th and 19th centuries. Alexander von Humboldt famously attempted to climb it in 1802, though he was turned back short of the summit by steep terrain and altitude sickness. The first recorded successful summit didn’t happen until 1872, when German geologist Wilhelm Reiss and local Ecuadorian guide Angel Escobar made it to the crater rim.
The park isn’t just about the volcano itself. If you spend time exploring the plains around Limpiopungo Lake or driving through the park trails, you may spot:
• Wild horses descended from Spanish stock running through the open brush.
• Andean foxes (culpeos) searching for small rodents along the paths.
• White-tailed deer browsing in the low shrubs.
• The Andean Condor, one of the largest flying birds in the world, riding the thermals overhead.
• Caracaras and spectacled bears, though the bears stay higher up in dense, remote vegetation.
The Refuge vs. The Summit: Two Very Different Journeys
When people talk about “hiking Cotopaxi,” they usually mean one of two distinct experiences:
1. The Day Hike to the José Rivas Refuge
Built in 1971 at an elevation of 4,864 meters (15,958 feet), the José Rivas Refuge acts as a base camp for climbers and a turnaround point for day hikers. This was the hike we did. But don’t discount it, it was still a challenging hike.
You reach the refuge by driving up to the park’s main parking lot (around 4,600 meters or 15,090 feet) and taking a short, intense hike up a steep, zig-zag path of loose volcanic ash and gravel. No technical gear or ropes are needed, but the thin air makes every step a challenge. Inside, you can warm up with hot food, drink tea, and stamp your passport. We booked our tour with Ecuador Hop.
2. The Full Summit Push
Reaching the top (5,897 meters / 19,347 feet) is a serious alpine expedition. It requires:
• Full glacier gear: crampons, ice axes, helmets, and harnesses.
• Proper acclimatization over several days on lower peaks.
• An accredited local mountain guide (mandatory under Ecuadorian law).
• A midnight start from the refuge so climbers can cross the snowpack and crevasses while the ice is frozen solid before the morning sun softens it.
Altitude, Health, and Preparation Tips
The highest hurdle on Cotopaxi isn’t technical skill—it’s the elevation. Going from Quito (2,850 meters / 9,350 feet) to nearly 5,000 meters in a few hours pushes your cardiovascular system hard. Here is how to manage the altitude effectively:
Hydration and Diet Before Your Climb
• Avoid Alcohol the Day Before: Alcohol severely dehydrates you and disrupts sleep quality—two things that make altitude symptoms drastically worse.
• Skip Coffee the Morning Of: Coffee is a natural diuretic and increases your baseline heart rate. At high altitude, your heart is already working overtime to pump oxygen, so adding excess caffeine puts extra stress on your system and accelerates dehydration.
• Eat Light and Plain: Digestion slows down significantly as blood flow shifts to support your heart and lungs in low-oxygen environments. High-fat or heavy meals sit in your stomach and can cause intense nausea. Stick to simple carbohydrates like plain toast, rice, or oatmeal.
Movement, Breathing, and Gear
• Pacing: Walk at a deliberate, slow pace—often referred to as the “Andean step.” Keep your pace steady enough that you never get fully out of breath. Also be sure to take frequent rests.
• Breathing Technique: Focus on inhaling through your nose to warm and filter the cold air, then exhaling through your mouth to clear carbon dioxide from your lungs.
• What to wear: The mountain weather changes instantly. Wear multiple breathable layers—a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid-layer (fleece or down), and a windproof, waterproof outer shell.
• Footwear: You need proper hiking boots or trail shoes with tread to get traction on the loose, sliding volcanic earth on the way to the refuge. (I wore regular sneakers and it was fine going up the mountain but coming back down I had to be very careful. And I did fall once…in the parking lot. Thankfully I did not injure myself.)
Herbal Teas: Understanding Coca and Muña
Local guides almost always suggest drinking herbal infusions before and during your trip:
• Coca Tea (Mate de Coca): Made from raw, unrefined leaves of the coca plant, this traditional Andean tea acts as a mild natural stimulant, similar to a cup of coffee or tea. It helps open blood vessels, improves oxygen uptake, and dulls high-altitude headaches.
• Muña Tea: Known as Andean mint, this local herb helps calm the nausea and digestive distress that often accompany altitude sickness.
Crucial Warning: Do not attempt to pack coca leaves or bagged coca tea to take back home in your luggage. In most countries outside South America (including the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia), the raw coca plant is a controlled substance. Customs officials will confiscate it, and carrying it across borders can lead to heavy fines or legal charges for drug importation. Also if you drink the Coca tea know that it can come up in drug tests taken within days of drinking the tea.
In Conclusion: Why I love to hike
I climbed a volcano! Okay, maybe not all the way to the top, but I still got to see something incredible. I didn’t grow up with the resources or opportunity to travel or spend time doing things like this. A big part of why I prioritize these experiences now is just knowing my younger self couldn’t have pictured any of it. Ever been asked “So what have you been up to?” And you can’t think of a single interesting thing you’ve done. It’s easy to get consumed by work, screens, and and whole lot of nothing. Hope this inspires you to prioritize new experiences, big or small. So keep exploring while you can!
For more of our adventures, check out these other posts:
Sunrise at Haleakala National Park, Maui