Cotopaxi Volcano Day Trip from Quito with Hike & Lunch

Quito to Cotopaxi hiking, lagoon walks and mountain air

You’ll hike high into Cotopaxi’s wild landscape with a local guide, catch your breath over hot chocolate at Refugio Padre Ribas, wander Limpiopungo Lagoon’s shifting light, and share lunch nearby before heading back to Quito. It’s raw mountain air and honest effort. The kind of day you’ll remember every time you see dust on your boots.

Options for this experience

2 options

From US$ 260 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Shared tour, lunch not included 08:00 Guide in English or Spanish Shared tour without lunch: this shared tour needs a minimum of 6 passengers. If that minimum is not reached, we will get in touch with you about other options. Duration: 8 hours. Includes pickup.

Private tour with lunch included 08:00 Guide in English or Spanish Includes pickup

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Step-by-step itinerary

Cotopaxi National Park day trip

• Arrive at southern park entrance
• Reach parking lot at 4600m
• Hike to Refugio Padre Ribas
• Enjoy hot drink at refuge
• Hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon
• Have lunch in local restaurant
• Drive back to Quito

Stops and time spent at each 4 stops

1. Cotopaxi National Park 30m
2. Cotopaxi Volcano 2h
3. Limpiopungo Lagoon 30m
4. Cotopaxi National Park 1h

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup in Quito by private vehicle with a multilingual local guide leading you through Cotopaxi National Park.
• entry fees are covered along with a hot drink at Refugio Padre Ribas after your hike.
• you’ll have time to explore Limpiopungo Lagoon before enjoying lunch at a nearby restaurant: all before heading back to Quito together.

Times

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• Every day 08:00

Information

Feel the altitude on a Cotopaxi volcano day trip from Quito, hike to the Refugio, wander Limpiopungo Lagoon, and share lunch: includes pickup and local guide.

Group Private 6 similar group tours ›

Live guide English and Spanish Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. See the pickup points

Book up to 12h before

Ages Adult (7 to 90 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems

More information The pickup points, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

4.93 ★★★★★ Exceptional 76 verified traveler reviews 97% rated it 5 stars

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The experience

So we’re halfway up the road to Cotopaxi when our guide, Diego, just laughs and says, “You’ll feel it in your lungs soon.” He wasn’t kidding. The air gets thin fast once you reach the parking lot at 4600 meters: my ears popped before I even stepped out. There’s this weird silence up there, broken only by wind and the crunch of gravel under boots. I kept looking at Cotopaxi itself, so sharp against the sky it almost didn’t seem real. Diego pointed out Sincholagua and Rumiñahui in the distance, but honestly my brain was still catching up with the altitude.

The hike to Refugio Padre Ribas isn’t long but wow, every step feels twice as heavy. We stopped more than I’d like to admit (Diego just grinned and said everyone does). At the top, inside the refuge, there was hot chocolate that tasted like heaven: maybe because my hands were freezing or maybe because we’d actually made it. There’s something about sharing that moment with strangers who are also out of breath that makes you laugh for no reason. I could smell wet stone and something almost metallic in the air. Still think about that view from up there.

Later we walked around Limpiopungo Lagoon. Totally different vibe: birds everywhere, low clouds moving so fast they kept changing the colors of everything. Someone tried to spot wild horses but all I saw was a flash of brown in tall grass (might’ve been wishful thinking). Lunch was at a local spot outside Cotopaxi National Park: simple food but after all that walking it tasted like a feast. On the drive back to Quito I fell asleep for a bit. Woke up with my head against the window and realized my shoes were still covered in volcanic dust. So yeah. If you’re thinking about a Cotopaxi volcano tour from Quito, don’t expect to stay clean.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How long does the Cotopaxi volcano day trip from Quito take?

The tour is a full-day trip including transport from Quito, hiking time at Cotopaxi volcano and Limpiopungo Lagoon, lunch, and return drive.

Is lunch included on this Cotopaxi volcano tour?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included during the day trip.

Do I need special equipment for hiking Cotopaxi?

No technical gear is needed but bring warm layers and sturdy shoes due to altitude and changing weather.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, pickup and drop-off in Quito are included in your booking.

Can beginners join this hike up Cotopaxi?

The hike is suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended for those with heart or spinal issues or pregnant travelers.

What’s included in the Cotopaxi volcano tour from Quito?

The tour includes transport by private vehicle, entrance fees for Cotopaxi National Park, professional guide services, lunch, and pickup/drop-off.

Operated by Real Dreams Tour. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

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