Cotopaxi Volcano tour: Hike Limpiopungo Lagoon, 4800 meters

You can reach the glacial zone of Cotopaxi and walk the rim of a high-altitude lake in one morning.

This day trip to Cotopaxi National Park in the Ecuadorian Andes combines a drive along the Route of the Volcanoes with a hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon and a visit to the Mariscal Sucre interpretation center. The tour climbs to 4800 meters where glacial ice is sometimes visible, includes a stop for regional fruit ice cream, and runs six to eight hours with a certified guide in English or Spanish. Moderate fitness is required. The high altitude and cold climate mean warm layers, gloves, a hat and waterproof clothing are essential.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Cotopaxi National Parkpassing by
2. Limpiopungo Lagoon1h · entry included
3. Cotopaxi Volcano40m · entry included

Cotopaxi Volcano Day Trip

• Travel along Route of the Volcanoes
• Stop to taste Helados de Salcedo ice cream
• Hike around Limpiopungo lake
• Visit Mariscal Sucre interpretation center

The experience

The Route of the Volcanoes carries you through the Andes past snow-capped peaks and multiple volcanic cones. Your certified guide points out the landscape as the air-conditioned vehicle climbs toward Cotopaxi National Park, and the route itself becomes the first attraction: a corridor of high-altitude geography most visitors never see from the ground. Early in the day you stop at a roadside stand for Helados de Salcedo, the region's natural fruit ice creams, a small detail that breaks up the drive and gives you something specific to this place.

The hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon is the physical heart of the tour. The lake sits high enough that the walk itself is the work, not a stroll, but a real trek at altitude where the air is thinner and the cold is constant. The lagoon lies in the shadow of Cotopaxi, and the volcano dominates the view across the water. If conditions allow, the tour climbs higher still, up to 4800 meters on the volcano's slopes where glacial ice sometimes remains visible. This is not a summit attempt. It is an ascent into the alpine zone, and the altitude itself becomes part of what you experience.

After the hike, the Mariscal Sucre interpretation center gives context: showrooms, a souvenir shop and a café where you can warm up before the drive back. The center sits within the national park boundary and offers a chance to understand what you have just walked through. The tour lasts six to eight hours total, and the guide's knowledge carries you through the whole day, explaining the geology, the ecology and the logistics of moving through this landscape.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle.
• certified professional guide in English or Spanish.
• entry to Cotopaxi National Park and the Mariscal Sucre interpretation center.
• regional fruit ice cream stop on the route.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday and Saturday

AgesAdult (4 to 80 years) · Child (2 to 3 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ecuador Traveler Planet

Is this one for you?The tour departs with hotel pickup included, so you do not need a car or directions to reach the national park: the guide and driver handle the full day from start to finish. Book this one if you want to climb high on an active volcano and hike at altitude without arranging the logistics yourself.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 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: Child (2 to 3 years); Infant (under 2).

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.

How high does this tour climb on Cotopaxi?

The tour reaches 4800 meters on the volcano's slopes, where glacial ice is sometimes visible depending on conditions and the season. This is a significant altitude gain, and the thin air and cold are real factors in how the hike feels.

What is Limpiopungo Lagoon like to hike around?

Limpiopungo Lagoon is a high-altitude lake ringed by a hiking trail that offers views of Cotopaxi across the water. The hike is the main physical activity of the day and requires moderate fitness. The altitude and cold are constant elements of the walk.

What should I wear on this tour?

Warm layers, gloves, a hat and waterproof clothing are essential. The Andes region has a cold climate even during the day, and the higher elevations make it colder still. Dressing in layers lets you adjust as you move between the vehicle and the trail.

Is this tour suitable if I have a medical condition?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health. The altitude, the hike and the physical demands of the day make it important to assess your fitness before booking.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a certified professional guide in English or Spanish, the regional ice cream stop, and entry to Cotopaxi National Park and the interpretation center. Meals beyond the ice cream are not included.

How long is the drive from the starting point?

The total tour lasts six to eight hours, which includes the drive along the Route of the Volcanoes, the hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon, the visit to the interpretation center and travel time. The exact duration depends on conditions and the group's pace on the trail.