Cotopaxi Volcano Day Trip from Quito: Private tour with lunch

Hike to the Cotopaxi refuge and walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon without the crowds

A private day trip from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park combines a hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon, a one-hour climb to the José Rivas refuge at 4,800 meters, and lunch at a 300-year-old hacienda. The tour includes a certified English-speaking naturalist guide, private transportation, and all park fees, with pickup from your Quito hotel at 8 a.m. and return around 5 p.m. Children from age 3 are welcome; the tour is customizable and keeps groups small.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cotopaxi Volcano Day Trip with Lunch

• Pick up from hotel in Quito at 8:00 a.m.
• Arrive at Cotopaxi Volcano area at 9:30 a.m.
• Explore forests, mountains, and wildlife
• Hike around Limpiopungo Lake to acclimatize
• Drive to parking lot at 4,500 meters altitude
• Hike one hour to José Rivas Refuge
• Admire views and visit refuge
• Drive to 300-year-old hacienda for lunch
• Return to hotel in Quito by 5:00 p.m.

The Experience

Pickup happens at 8 a.m. from your Quito hotel, and the drive to Cotopaxi National Park takes about an hour and a half. By 9:30 a.m. you're at the park entrance, where the landscape shifts as you climb — forests give way to open moorland, and wild horses graze across the slopes. The second highest active volcano in the world rises ahead, and your guide explains how altitude affects the body as you move through the reserve.

The day splits into two main hikes. First, you walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon at a gentler pace, acclimatizing to the elevation while the lagoon reflects Rumiñahui volcano across its surface. Then you drive up to the parking lot at 4,500 meters and start the one-hour climb to the José Rivas refuge at 4,800 meters. The refuge sits on the Avenue of the Volcanoes, and the view from there frames the whole Andean range. Your guide is a certified naturalist who speaks English and knows the ecosystems, the wildlife and the altitude challenges — not a generic commentary, but someone who can answer what you actually want to know.

After the hike, you descend to a colonial hacienda built 300 years ago for lunch. The building itself is part of the experience — the architecture, the history, the food — and it gives you time to rest before the drive back to Quito. You're back at your hotel around 5 p.m. The whole day runs 8 to 9 hours, and because it's private, the pace stays yours: no waiting for a large group to catch up, no rushing through the lagoon walk or the refuge stop.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Quito hotel.
• certified English-speaking naturalist guide.
• all park entry fees and taxes.
• lunch at the colonial hacienda.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Ecuador Best Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a naturalist's insight into high-altitude ecosystems and need to set your own pace on the refuge hike—the private format lets you stop whenever the altitude affects you.

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Top questions

What is the hike to the José Rivas refuge like?

The hike to the José Rivas refuge takes one hour and climbs from 4,500 meters to 4,800 meters. It is the main physical challenge of the day, and your guide will explain how to manage the altitude as you go. Once you reach the refuge, you have time to rest and take in the view of the Avenue of the Volcanoes before heading back down.

How does the altitude affect the day?

Cotopaxi National Park sits between 4,500 and 4,800 meters above sea level, which is high enough that most people feel the difference in breathing and energy. Your guide is trained to help you acclimatize, and the walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon at the start of the day is designed to ease you into the elevation before the steeper hike to the refuge.

What happens at the hacienda, and is lunch included?

After the hike, you drive down to a 300-year-old colonial hacienda for lunch. The hacienda is a working farm with its own architecture and history, and lunch is included in the tour price. You'll have time to rest, eat, and explore the grounds before returning to Quito.

Can children go on this tour?

Children from age 3 are welcome. Specialized infant seats are available if you need them. The private format means you can set the pace for your family, and your guide can adjust the hike difficulty if needed.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes private transportation from your Quito hotel, a certified English-speaking naturalist guide, all park fees and taxes, and lunch at the hacienda. Pickup starts at 8 a.m., and you return around 5 p.m.

What should I bring or wear?

Temperatures at Cotopaxi range from 10°C to 18°C (50°F to 64°F), so bring layers and a windproof jacket. Wear sturdy hiking boots or shoes with good grip for the refuge hike. The altitude and weather can change quickly, so pack a hat and sunscreen as well.