Cotopaxi Hike & Bike from Quito: Glacier to lagoon

You hike to an active glacier, then bike back down the same mountain.

A full-day guided tour from Quito takes you into Cotopaxi National Park for a hike up to the glacier at 5,000 meters (16,404 ft), followed by a downhill mountain bike descent to Limpiopungo Lagoon and a walk around the high-Andean lake. The route includes multiple acclimatization stops, a picnic lunch, and entry to the park's museum and interpretation center. A bilingual guide, bike, helmet, permits and lunch are included; children from 5 years old can join with parental supervision.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cotopaxi hike and bike adventure

• Travel south from Quito
• Stop for breakfast and acclimatization
• Drive along Avenue of the Volcanoes
• Purchase local crafts
• Hike to Cotopaxi refuge and glacier
• Enjoy picnic lunch at refuge
• Downhill mountain bike ride to lagoon
• Guided walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon
• Visit museum and interpretation center
• Return to Quito in afternoon

The Experience

If you have a free day in Quito and want to get high into the Andes without arranging your own transport or permits, this tour handles the logistics. You leave Quito early and drive about 90 minutes south along the Pan-American Highway, crossing the Andean range and passing through Machachi. The first stop comes at 2,945 meters (9,662 ft), where you have breakfast and let your body adjust to the altitude while looking out at Pasochoa, Rumiñahui and the Ilinizas volcanoes across the landscape.

Once inside Cotopaxi National Park, the route follows the Avenue of the Volcanoes—one of the most direct high-altitude roads in Ecuador. You make several more stops to acclimatize before reaching the parking area, then hike upward to the refuge and on to 5,000 meters, where the Cotopaxi glacier comes into view. After that high point, you descend to the refuge for a picnic lunch (vegetarian option available), then switch to the bikes. The downhill ride to Limpiopungo Lagoon is the payoff: a technical descent on the same mountain you just climbed on foot. At the lagoon, a guided walk circles the water, and you finish at the museum and interpretation center to learn about the volcano's geology and ecosystem before the drive back to Quito in the afternoon.

The bike and helmet are provided, and a bilingual Spanish–English guide leads the whole day. All park permits are included in the price, so you skip the paperwork. The 10-hour itinerary packs two very different mountain experiences—climbing and descending—into one day, and the acclimatization stops mean the altitude does not catch you off guard.

What’s included

• Professional bilingual guide leading the full day.
• transport from Quito and back.
• mountain bike and safety helmet.
• lunch with a vegetarian option.
• all permits for Cotopaxi National Park.
• entry to the museum and interpretation center.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tangol

Is this one for you?This tour is shared and guide-led, so you're climbing and biking with other travelers and following a set schedule. Choose it if you want the high-altitude experience and the bike descent without renting gear separately or navigating the park on your own—the guide handles the route, the acclimatization timing, and the logistics so you can focus on the climb and the ride.

Top questions

Can I do this tour if I've never mountain biked before?

Yes. The tour is designed for all fitness levels, and the downhill ride to Limpiopungo Lagoon is the main biking section. Your guide will brief you on technique before you start, and the route is manageable for beginners on a bike.

How high do I actually climb, and will altitude sickness be a problem?

You hike to 5,000 meters (16,404 ft) where the glacier sits. The tour includes multiple acclimatization stops starting at 2,945 meters, which gives your body time to adjust before you reach the highest point. Most people manage well with these pauses built in.

What's the Limpiopungo Lagoon like, and how long do we spend there?

Limpiopungo Lagoon is a high-Andean lake inside the national park. After your downhill bike ride, you take a guided walk around it to see the landscape and wildlife, then visit the museum and interpretation center nearby to learn about the volcano's ecosystem.

What should I bring, and what's the weather like at that altitude?

Bring warm, windproof clothing and gloves—mountain winds at 5,000 meters are cold even on a sunny day. The operator recommends layers so you can adjust as you climb and descend. Weather in the Andes changes quickly, so a jacket you can pack away is essential.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children from 5 years old can join with parental supervision. The itinerary includes a hike and a bike ride, so your child needs to be comfortable with both activities and able to handle the altitude with adult support.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay extra for?

The tour includes transport from Quito, a bilingual guide, the bike and helmet, lunch with a vegetarian option, all park permits, and entry to the museum. Tips and any expenses beyond the itinerary are not included.