Cotopaxi Volcano tour from Quito: Hike to the refuge and lagoon

Walk the flanks of Ecuador's highest active volcano and watch for Andean birds at the lagoon below

A private full-day tour from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park with expert guide and hotel pickup, combining a one-hour walk to the Jose Ribas refuge at 15,748 feet with a lagoon loop for birdwatching. You'll travel through the Andean ecosystem, walk volcanic sand trails, and see species including Carunculated Caracara, Andean Lapwing and Great Yellow Legs depending on the season, with wildlife sightings possible throughout the park.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Cotopaxi National Park1h 30m · entry included
2. Limpiopungo Lagoon45m

Cotopaxi Volcano and Birdwatching Tour

• Pick up from Quito hotel
• Drive to Cotopaxi National Park
• Observe Andean ecosystem and volcanoes
• Take a break with hot coca tea
• Check-in at Cotopaxi National Park entrance
• Drive to parking lot at 14,763 feet
• Walk to Jose Ribas refuge
• Relax and enjoy volcanic views at refuge
• Drink hot chocolate at refuge
• Have lunch
• Visit and walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon
• Drive back to Quito and drop off

The experience

The drive from Quito takes two hours, climbing through the Andes to the park entrance at 11,154 feet. Your guide handles the route while you watch the landscape shift from farmland to volcanic scenery. Once inside, you'll prepare for the main walk: a steady one-hour ascent on volcanic sand to the Jose Ribas refuge, which sits at 15,748 feet on the flanks of Cotopaxi itself. The pace adapts to your fitness. Altitude affects everyone differently, and the guide moves slowly enough for all travelers to manage the climb.

At the refuge, you rest and take in the view of the Avenue of the Volcanoes (two extinct peaks visible from the shelter), while a hot mug of chocolate arrives. This is where you can photograph the snow-capped cone and stamp your passport as proof you reached Ecuador's highest active volcano. The refuge moment is the reward for the climb, and most travelers spend time here absorbing the scale of the place before heading back down.

After lunch, you move to Limpiopungo Lagoon at 12,795 feet, where a one-hour walk circles the water's edge. The lagoon sits directly below Cotopaxi and is fed by volcanic runoff, making it a gathering point for Andean birds. Depending on the season, you may spot Andean Coots, Andean Teals, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, Stout-billed Cinclodes and Tawny Antpitta. Migratory species like Great Yellow Legs and Baird's Sandpiper arrive in specific months. Wildlife including South American foxes, white-tailed deer, Andean hares and pumas move through the park, though sightings depend on the time of year. Bring binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens to make the most of the birdwatching. The return drive to Quito takes the afternoon, ending at your hotel or pickup point.

What’s included

• Hotel or airport pickup from Quito.
• private transportation to and from the park.
• expert guide in English or Spanish.
• hot coca tea at the start to help with altitude adjustment.
• hot chocolate at the Jose Ribas refuge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 75 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (7 to 12 years) · Infant (under 1)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 25 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Galapagos My World

Is this one for you?The full day, roughly seven to eight hours door-to-door, means you'll miss other Quito activities but won't feel rushed at either the refuge or the lagoon. If you're accustomed to altitude, the pace works well. If you're not, the slow climb and guide support make it manageable, though you should have at least moderate fitness for the two hours of walking combined.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

19 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (7 to 12 years); Infant (under 1).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the walk like at the Jose Ribas refuge?

The one-hour walk climbs volcanic sand trails from the parking lot at 14,763 feet to the refuge at 15,748 feet. The pace is slow and adjusts to each traveler's fitness and response to altitude. Fatigue is normal at that height, and the guide keeps the group together. The reward is the view from the refuge and the experience of standing on the flanks of an active volcano.

What birds can I see at Limpiopungo Lagoon?

Limpiopungo Lagoon hosts year-round species including Carunculated Caracara, Andean Lapwing, Andean Gulls, Andean Coots, Andean Teals, Plumbeous Sierra-Finch, Stout-billed Cinclodes and Tawny Antpitta. Migratory birds like Great Yellow Legs (March), Baird's Sandpiper (July and August) and Solitary Sandpiper (November and February) arrive seasonally. Binoculars or a telephoto lens help you spot them from the one-hour loop around the lagoon edge.

How much time do I spend walking on this tour?

You walk for one hour to the Jose Ribas refuge and one hour around Limpiopungo Lagoon, for two hours of walking total across the full day. The rest of the time covers the two-hour drive from Quito, rest and lunch at the refuge, and the return journey to your hotel.

What wildlife besides birds might I encounter?

Cotopaxi National Park is home to South American foxes, white-tailed deer, Andean hares, pumas, red deer, Andean weasels and opossums, depending on the season and time of day. Wildlife sightings are possible as you travel through the park, though they are not guaranteed.

What should I bring for this tour?

Bring warm clothing, walking shoes and a rain or wind jacket. The average temperature in the park is 7°C (44°F). A camera with a telephoto lens or binoculars will help you photograph and observe birds at the lagoon. The guide recommends these items to make the high-altitude experience more comfortable and rewarding.