COTOPAXI and adventure at 16,000 ft and above

Hello everyone, we are happy to share good news!!!!

We have signed an alliance with tour operators in Quito, therefore from now on we will offer high level tourist services in Quito and surroundings.
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This Video is perhaps  the BIGGEST reward  for  our  effort  climbing  up  this day.
A RARELY seen, (even  frequent visitors don´t get  to  see  them  in years!!) but we got to see  a CONDOR flying  quite close from us!!!

And it is that a quick description of the mountainous area of ​​Ecuador would be the following: a so-called "Avenue of the Volcanoes" is a scenic route that goes along the Ecuadorian Sierra having as main peaks West of Quito EL PICHINCHA (Guagua & Ruco:  Baby/Young and Old) , towards the south of Quito on the way to the Cotopaxi National Park, home of the snow-covered volcano Cotopaxi, with its almost perfect cone, we see wonders such as the PASOCHOA, the RUMIÑAHUI, the HEART, the ILLINIZAS the  INTISANA and further south the TUNGURAHUA, the CHIMBORAZO and the ALTAR.

The central part of the Ecuadorian Highliands is beautiful and is ideal for lovers of hiking and mountaineering.

In 1812, the German scientist Alexander Von Humboldt called it 

the Avenue of the Volcanoes since  there are more than 70 mountains, 

27 of them still active, along 300 kilometers of the Ecuadorian Andes, 

which can be traversed by the Pan-American Highway from north to south 

and contemplate the landscapes

A more detailed list would be the following:

Most of the highest mountains in Ecuador are on “Avenida de los Volcanes”. 
The avenue of the Volcanoes

Chimborazo - 6,268 meters (20,702 feet)

Cotopaxi - 5,897 meters (19,347 feet)

Cayambe - 5,790 meters (18,996 feet)

Antisana - 5,704 meters (18 713 feet)

The Altar - 5,320 meters (17,244 feet)

Illiniza Sur - 5,263 meters (17,267 feet)

Sangay - 5,230 meters (17,158 feet)

Carihuairazo - 5,020 meters (16 469 feet)

Tungurahua - 5,016 meters (16,456 feet)

Cotacachi - 4,939 meters (16,204 feet)

Sincholagua - 4,898 meters (16,070 feet)

Imbabura - 4,609 meters (15,121 feet)

Guagua Pichincha - 4,776 meters (15,670 feet)

Rucu Pichincha - 4,627 meters (15,180 feet)

Illiniza is a stratovolcano in Ecuador, located about 100 km southwest of Quito. 

Illiniza, a potentially active volcano, consists of two snow-covered peaks: 

Illiniza Sur (5,248 m) and Illiniza Norte (5,126 m).

Its name derives from the words kunza for «hill male».
Whilst Illiniza South (the southern peak) is a more difficult climb due to its glacial nature, 
Illiniza North requires little or no climbing expertise, and may be climbed as a trekking peak. 
A guide is always  recommended, however, as the path becomes hard to navigate as 
it approaches the summit.
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The Illinizas are excellent mountains for acclimating to altitude, and are frequently used as 
a preparatory climb to higher peaks such as Cotopaxi, Chimborazo and Cayambe.
 
There is a rustic refuge located between the north and south peaks. 
It can be reached in one hour by car from El Chaupi.
 
The Englishman Edward Whymper tried and failed twice to make the first ascent of 
Iliniza Sur. It was climbed for the first time in 1880 by his two Italian guides 
Jean-Antoine Carrel and Louis Carrel. The first ascent of Iliniza Norte was made in 1912 
by the Ecuadorians Nicolás Martínez and Alejandro Villavicencio.

But again today´s main  focus is: 

Cotopaxi One of the highest active volcanoes in the world.

Cotopaxi is an active
stratovolcano  in the ecuadorian 
Andes   located 50 km (31 mi) south of  Quito, It is
the second highest mountain   in Ecuador, reaching a height of
5,897 m (19,347 ft). It is one of the world's highest volcanoes.

Since 1738, Cotopaxi has erupted more
than 50 times, resulting in the creation of numerous valleys formed by lahars (mudflows) 

around the volcano.

The last eruption lasted from August 2015 to January 2016.Cotopaxi had been 

officially closed for climbing by authorities until it reopened on October 7, 2017.



Name

Many sources claim that Cotopaxi means
shining pile or mountain in an indigenous language, but this is unproven.

There is also the Quichua translation to: “Neck of the moon” since on a clear 

evening if the watcher is seated on the western plateau he/she will  see the 

moonrising and it  seems  to  be ascending  from the volcano´s crater.

The mountain was honored as a "Sacred Mountain" by local Andean people,

even before the Inca invasion in the 15th century. It was worshiped as “rain sender”, 

that served as the provider  of the land's fertility, and at the same time its summit was

revered as a place where gods lived.





We offer biking tours  at  Cotopaxi!!!

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Historic Eruptions

With almost  90 known eruptions, Cotopaxi is one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes. 

The first recorded eruption of Cotopaxi was in 1534.

Cotopaxi's most violent eruptions in historical times occurred in the years 

1742, 1744, 1768, and 1877.

The 1744 and 1768 events destroyed the colonial town of Latacunga 

In  June 26th 1877 eruption,  pyroclastic flows descended all sides of the mountain 

melting the entire ice cap, with mud flows traveling more than 100 km into the 

Pacific  ocean and due  west into the  Amazon  basin draining the valley.

The city of Latacunga was again leveled completely due to the mudslide deposits.



The eruption on June 19th 1742 was witnessed by the scientists

Pierre Bouguer and Charles M. de La Condamine members of the French Geodesic

Mission as they  descended from  nearby  Volcano, Guagua Pichincha

There was a major eruption from 1903 to 1904, and minor activity persisted  until at least 

1940 and possibly 1942. 

There has been an increased thermal/seismic, non-eruptive activity in 1975 and
2002. In the increased activity of 2002, fumaroles  activityand sulfuric emissions 

increased and ice around the inside and on thesoutheastern side of the cone 

started to melt. However, no actual eruption was observed.

In 2015, two large phreatic (steam) eruptions in the morning of the 14th of August

marked a new phase of volcanic activity.  



The volcano remains in a very abnormal situation.

In August, 2,100 earthquakes were recorded and emission rates of sulfur dioxide 

reach approximately 20,000 tonnes per day". 

The government estimates some 300,000 people are at risk from the volcano in the

provinces of Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Napo and Pichincha.




























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Climbing



The first European who tried to climb the mountain
was  Alexander  Von Humboldt in 1802, however, he only reached a height of
about 4500 m. In 1858 Moritz Wagner investigated the mountain, but he could not
reach the summit either.

On November 28, 1872, German geologist Wilhelm Reiss  and his Colombian partner
Angel Escobar finally reached the summit of Cotopaxi

Recreation

Climbing Cotopaxi to the summit is quite popular with up to 100 climbers attempting it on 

weekends.

Today, mountain guide companies offer regular guided climbs of the mountain and as of

11 December 2012 — no mountain peaks in Ecuador over 5,000 m high may be climbed 

without a licensed guide.

Climbers grade the conventional 

route alpine PD (Peu Difficile) or 

WS (Wenig Schwierig)  or PD/WS+

 (indicating "Mildly Difficult PLUS").





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Use of crampons  and ice axes are mandatory as snow and ice
slopes of up to 50 degrees are encountered and climbers should be on belay and 

use aluminum ladders to cross one or two of the crevasses. A 4WD track goes up 

from the national park entrance to a carpark at 4600 m altitude on north side, 

just below the José F. Ribas Refuge.

This stone  mountain  hut — owned and operated by Grupo de Ascensionismo 

Colegio San Gabriel   is situated 200 m higher at 4800 m (a 40-80 minute uphill hike). 

Here climbers can spend the night and begin their summit bid in the early morning without

any intermediate camps. (Typically no more than about half of those attempting to summit 

Cotopaxi make it to the top after a daunting though non-technical six-hour scramble.)

Summiting normally starts around 12:30 am to reach the summit at latest 7:30 am 

and then return to the hut before the snow melts and glacier crevasses move/evolve.

























Location
The Cotopaxi is located in the central  chain of mountains of the Ecuadorian Andes 62 km
northeast of Latacunga and 75 Km southeast of Quito 










Limits: To the northeast the extinct volcano Sincholagua,  and the Rumiñahui
to the west. The Quilindaña to the Southeast

Altitude
Cotopaxi is  one  of the highest volcanos in the world with 5943 m. n. m. 
It has been calculated that the width of its crater from east to west measures 500 m 
and from north to south about 700 m.
Weather
The climate presents a variety and contrast typical of the effects of altitude and orientation.


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Biodiversity
A large pine plantation covering approximately 1750 ha, chuquirahuas, pumamaquis, 
romerillo, mortiño and capulí, are just some of the species that can be found. 
As regards fauna, curiquingues, deer, rabbits, páramo wolves and 
the rarely seen Andean condor, they can appear at any time.




















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Attractions
• Sunfana viewpoint: From there you can see vast pine forests on the Sunfana Plain, 
at the foot of the viewpoint. You can walk there in about 30 minutes from 
the Administrative Center or by vehicle; There is a place to camp there and if you follow 
the path for about two hours you will arrive at the foot of the Rumiñahui volcano.
 
• Andinism, the Cotopaxi volcano has an exotic dry micro climate that allows its ascent 
during most of the year. Starting at 4800 meters and in an approximate time of 6 to 8 hours, 
you can reach the foot of the impressive crater half a kilometer wide and be ecstatic with 
the spectacular view of the tops of most volcanoes in Ecuador.
Technically it is not complicated to crown, however a guide will be of great help in case of 
being a rookie.
 
• Lakes: Scenically attractive, the lagoons are located to the southeast of the Park, 
about three kilometers from the Mauca-Mudadero control.
 
• Quishuar Trail: On the way you pass through most of the attractions in the area, 
always through the pine forest.
 
• Laguna de Santo Domingo: It is presented as an interesting landscape. 
Next to the spring that supplies it there are vestiges of quadrangular form of stone walls 
probably of Inca origin.




















Legend
The Cotopaxi, for several centuries, was a place of worship for the native Quichua.
History  tells that, inthe year  1534 during  a bloody combat against  the spanish  forces
the Cotopaxi  unleashed  its fury with  a sudden  eruption

The Spanish troops fled in terror, while the natives prostrated themselves on the ground
and began to worship “him”. 
 
On our way  from Quito  to the Cotopaxi we will  actually  see  many  other  mountians
such as: Pichincha,  Illinizas,  Pasochoa,  Corazón,  Rumiñahui.


















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El Pasochoa is one of the extinct volcanoes, which along with the Ilaló volcano and 
the Rumiñahui volcano are grouped along the central fault of the inter-Andean 
depression south of Quito. Its summit is composed of several sharp peaks, 
devoid of snow and covered with sparse vegetation.
 
From its sharp peaks towards the west, enclosed in the caldera, one of the most interesting 
plant associations of  an Andean summit, formed by a great variety of species has developed
quite spontaneously.
 
El Pasochoa is devoid of snow even in the strongest winters. It is located northeast of the
Machachi Valley in the Eastern Cordillera and in an advanced position with respect to the
Tiopullo knot.
 
The access road to Pasochoa is quite long. The Volcano, as well as its surroundings are in a permanent state of conservation due to the fact that Fundación Natura and the owners of the haciendas take care of this environment.
 
Location
The Pasochoa Volcano is located to the northeast of the Machachi Valley, in the Eastern 
Cordillera and in an advanced position with respect to the Tiopullo knot.
 
Height
El Pasochoa reaches a height of 4199 meters above sea level.

Weather
The climate in thegeneral area of the Pasochoa volcano is cold, its temperature 
ranges between 3 ºC and 12 ºC.

Flora
In its sharp peaks to the west, enclosed in the caldera, one of the most interesting 
plant associations of the Andean mountains has risen, formed by a variety of species 
such as densely branched bushes and small trees with twisted trunks and covered 
with lichens.
 




RUMIÑAHUI Rising from the east end of the Tiopullo knot, the Rumiñahui volcano is an 
excellent viewpoint of the volcanoes in this area. 
Rumiñahui means “Face of Stone” in the Quichua language.
Origin of the  name
The name comes from the legendary general of Atahualpa who, 
despite the capitulation
of the Inca, tried to defend the empire of the Spaniards. 
Rumi means stone and nawi both eye and face.
 
It is an extinct and extensively eroded volcano, it has walls that rise almost 800 meters 
from its base constituted by layers of lava, ash with basalts and small amounts of olivine.

This volcano rises a few kilometers west  from Cotopaxi.
Sincholagua and Pasochoa in the Cordillera Real or Oriental, its last eruption seems to 
have occurred 9 million years ago and the Pleistocene glaciers have sculpted it in 
its current form.
 
It is characterized by its grandeur and its wonderful landscapes. It has three peaks: 
La Norte or Máxima, Central and La Sur.

This volcano is an excellent option for acclimatization and for lovers of climbing.
 
Height
With a height of 4722 meters.

Location
It is located 40 kilometers south of Quito and is a neighbor of Cotopaxi in the eastern 
Andes of Ecuador.

Weather
The climate in the place is very cold with an average temperature of 10 ºC.

Flora
They are formed by shrub and herbaceous vegetation; shrub vegetation is characterized 
by plant species, such as the Romerillo de páramo, polish, pisag and other shrubs that give 
life to this place.
The herbaceous layer is composed of different species of pads and pajonal.

The bushy vegetation makes its predominance in which you can find the flower of 
the andinistas (Chuquiragua), romerillo de páramo.

Fauna
In this tourist attraction you can see Lobos de páramo, chucuri, rabbit, skunk, cervicabra, 
among others; amphibians like toads; reptiles such as lizard and a great variety of bird 
species, among which stand out the sparrow hawk, woodpecker, páramo partridge, 
hummingbirds, rucos and blackbirds, Black cara-cara.


































Attractions
• Laguna de Limpiopungo: It is a place for direct naturalist tourism,
On a clear  day  if  the visitors  reach the western  shore and look  east  the will see the 
refletion of the Cotopaxi´s perfect  cone now formin ga diamond.
In this place it is possible to take walks and enjoy the flora and fauna of the place; 
but unfortunately the natural channels have been altered, which would eventually take 
the lagoon to diminish its flow; the same one that has been maintained thanks to the rain.
 
 





Characteristic botanical species of the zone are chilca, shanshi, pumamaqui, cheflera, 
chamana, etc. The herbs grow on the rocky slopes, some yellow chicory flowers are 
interspersed in the rocky sands of Pasochoa.
 
Fauna
The fauna of the place is represented by: cattle, horses, mules and donkeys. 
In addition to an interesting number of birds such as: the turtledove, blackbird, 
black gallinazo,condors,  black  cara-cara .  humming-bird, among others.


Main attractions in the Ecuadorian  Andes.
Chimborazo: The highest mountain in Ecuador,  acknowledged  to  be and the 
furthest point from the center of the planet due to its proximity to the equator, 
the Chimborazo offers a unique panorama.

Until Mount Everest was discovered and measured, it was believed that the 
Chimborazo was the highest mountain in the world.
 
Although difficult, the ascent of this mountain, near Riobamba, it can be done with 
the help of an experienced guide. The climb requires experience in walking on ice.
 
 
Cotopaxi: It is located about an hour and a half from Quito and can be seen from this city. 
If it were to erupt, the surrounding cities, particularly Latacunga, would be threatened 
by mudslides. At the moment, the Cotopaxi ascent, as well as the walks on its skirts to 
the refuge, are some of the most popular activities. 
Cotopaxi is an active stratovolcano in the Andes Mountains, located in the Latacunga 
canton of Cotopaxi Province, about 50 km (31 mi) south of Quito, and 33 km (21 mi) 
northeast of the city of Latacunga, Ecuador, in South America. It is the second highest 
summit in Ecuador, reaching a height of 5,897 m (19,347 ft). It is one of the world's 
highest volcanoes.
 
Since 1738, Cotopaxi has erupted more than 50 times, resulting in the creation of numerous 
valleys formed by lahars (mudflows) around the volcano. The last eruption lasted from 
August 2015 to January 2016. [6] Cotopaxi had been officially closed for climbing 
by authorities until it was reopened on October 7, 2017.
 
 
Tungurahua: It is one of the most active volcanoes in Ecuador. His name means 
"throat of fire". Its frequent eruptions constantly threaten the surroundings. 
On clear nights, visitors can see incandescent rock eruptions from different observation points.
 
Illinizas: The tops of the twin mountains Illiniza North and Illiniza South are often hidden 
by clouds, but they can still be climbed. The ascent of North  Illiniza is quite steep and 
irregular, although it can be done by people with relatively little experience. 
The ascension of the  South Illiniza though  presents a greater difficulty  
due to the snow that crowns it, so we recommend that only experienced mountaineers  
attempt it  and always accompanied by an experienced guide.
 
Cayambe: Located north of Quito, on the road to Otavalo, the Cayambe volcano often shows
 its summit to those who travel along the northern section of the Pan-American Highway.  
And can  also  be seen  from  Quito if you  direct  your  attention to  the north-east
After photographing it or ascending it (permitted only to experienced climbers), 
it is almost  mandatory  to visit the town of Cayambe and enjoy some biscuits, 
a delicacy that is served with cheese. “Queso  de hoja”  a local  version  of  
Mozzarella  cheese
 
Antisana: This mountain of four peaks sits in the national reserve with  the same name.
Generally, its snowy peak remains hidden by clouds. It can be seen from the 
Papallacta area, and on clear days, from Quito.
 
This ascent is highly technical and complex. 
Often one or two condors can be observed flying in circles during the ascents.
 
Cotacachi: This legendary mountain is classified as one of the extinct volcanoes of Ecuador. 
Its ascent is really complex due to its eroded peak. It is considered that due to one of its 
past eruptions was that the Cuicocha lagoon was formed. In my humble opinión the most 
amazing volcano  of Ecuador. Yes, There migt be many  colleagues of mine saying that  
there are other  volcanos and lagoons more beautiful  than this.
But a volcano with a flooded  caldera turned  into  a lake and two  island  in the middle…
To me, sounds like  MAGIC.
 
Imbabura: The climbing of this extinct volcano, located next to  the city of Otavalo, 
can be done in a single day; in 8 hours if you  start from the parking lot, or in 12 if you  
start from “La Esperanza”. To get there you can trevel two  hours  from Quito to Otavalo, 

Pichincha: Guagua and Rucu Pichincha are two volcanoes located 10 km west of Quito. 
El Guagua, whose name means "child" in Quichua, is taller than its neighbor and is currently 
active. In 1999 he expelled a 7 kilometers ( 5 miles) column of ashes that completely covered
the city of Quito. The Rucu, whose name means "old", is inactive and is located a little closer 
to Quito.
 
Sincholagua: It is an inactive volcano that is located 45 km southeast of Quito and 15 km 
northeast of the Cotopaxi volcano. It is visited or scaled less frequently than the rest of the 
mentioned mountains due to its complicated access. 
 
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