Self-Launched Trek: Ecuador's Avenue of Volcanoes & Cotopaxi Summit (5897m)

Fly into Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO). Take the Aeroservicio public bus or an Uber/InDriver from the airport to central Quito — the bus costs under £1, a rideshare around £5–8. Check into a hostel in the La Mariscal or La Floresta neighbourhood. Rest up, hydrate and begin acclimatising to Quito's 2,850m elevation. The historic old town is a short stroll away if you have energy.

🚌Public airport bus or Uber/InDriver from UIO to central Quito (~£1–8)

🛏Hostel in La Mariscal or La Floresta, Quito — e.g. Casa Helbling, Secret Garden Hostel, or similar (~£12–18/night in dorm, ~£25–35 in private twin)

• →Arrive at UIO and take public bus or rideshare to central Quito (£1–8)
• →Check into hostel and rest to begin acclimatisation
• →Optional: gentle evening stroll around La Mariscal neighbourhood

Spend the day gently acclimatising at Quito's 2,850m altitude. In the morning, arrange your gear — hire plastic mountaineering boots from a local operator on Reina Victoria street (expect ~£20–30 for the full trip rental). Visit the historic old town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Plaza Grande, La Compañía de Jesús church and Iglesia de San Francisco. Take the Teleférico cable car (£8) up to 4,050m for a powerful altitude test and panoramic volcano views. In the afternoon, take a taxi or bus to La Mitad del Mundo monument (~£2–4 by bus) to straddle the equator. Eat local set lunches (almuerzos) for £2–4.

🚌Local buses and taxis within Quito (~£3–6)

🛏Same hostel in Quito (~£12–35/night)

• →Hire plastic mountaineering boots from gear rental shops on Reina Victoria St (~£20–30 total rental)
• →Explore Quito's UNESCO old town: Plaza Grande, La Compañía de Jesús, San Francisco church
• →Ride the Teleférico cable car to 4,050m for acclimatisation and views (~£8, bookable on-site)
• →Visit La Mitad del Mundo equator monument (~£4 entry, £2–4 by bus from central Quito)
• →Eat a traditional almuerzo set lunch for £2–4 at a local restaurant

Take a local bus or shared taxi (cooperativa) from Quito's Quitumbe terminal toward the Valle de Los Chillos and the village of Santa Clara (~£2–4). From there, hike along the ancient cobbled road beside the Pita River — a beautiful 9-mile route through the valley. The trail follows the riverbanks past rural shrines and farmland. Camp at a campsite near Hacienda Santa Rita or arrange a basic tent pitch on the hacienda grounds directly (~£5–10). Alternatively, stay in a basic guesthouse in the valley. Cook a simple meal or buy food from local vendors.

🚌Bus/shared taxi Quito to Valle de Los Chillos (~£2–4)

🛏Camping at or near Hacienda Santa Rita (~£5–10 pitch fee, bring or hire gear)

• →Bus or shared taxi from Quito Quitumbe terminal to Valle de Los Chillos / Santa Clara (~£2–4)
• →Hike 9 miles along the ancient cobbled Pita River trail (self-navigated with offline maps via Maps.me or AllTrails)
• →Spot local birdlife and rural Andean landscapes along the route
• →Set up camp at Hacienda Santa Rita or nearby campsite (~£5–10 pitch fee)

Head to Pasochoa Volcano and its protected cloud-forest crater. Take a local bus or taxi to the Pasochoa Forest Reserve entrance (~£2–4). Pay the national park entry fee (~£3). The hike to the summit is a challenging 11-mile, 6–7 hour round trip gaining over 1,000m. No guide is required for Pasochoa — download the trail on AllTrails or Maps.me before setting off. The crater hosts over 110 bird species; keep eyes peeled for Andean condors. Return to camp at Hacienda Santa Rita area for the night.

🚌Local bus or taxi to Pasochoa trailhead (~£2–4 each way)

🛏Camping at or near Hacienda Santa Rita (~£5–10)

• →Bus or taxi to Pasochoa Forest Reserve entrance (~£2–4)
• →Pay national park / reserve entry fee (~£3)
• →Self-guided summit hike of Pasochoa volcano (11mi, 6–7hrs, ~1,000m elevation gain) using AllTrails offline map
• →Birdwatching: 110+ species including Andean condors
• →Return to Hacienda Santa Rita camp area

Break camp and trek through the humid Andean forest toward Cotopaxi National Park. Take a shared taxi or bus toward Machachi, then onwards to the Cotopaxi National Park area (~£4–8). Hacienda El Porvenir accepts independent travellers and offers dorm/private rooms from around £20–35/night including breakfast — book directly via their website or by phone. You'll be surrounded by four volcanoes: Cotopaxi, Sincholahua, Pasochoa and Rumiñahui. Enjoy the hacienda's atmosphere and a hearty Ecuadorian dinner.

🚌Shared taxi or bus to Cotopaxi area via Machachi (~£4–8)

🛏Hacienda El Porvenir guesthouse — twin or dorm room (~£20–35/night, book direct)

• →Trek down from Santa Rita camp through Andean forest (4–5hrs, 9mi)
• →Shared taxi or bus to Machachi, then onward to Cotopaxi National Park area (~£4–8)
• →Check in at Hacienda El Porvenir — book directly (~£20–35/night B&B)
• →Afternoon rest and acclimatisation at 3,600m surrounded by four volcanoes

Take a short taxi ride deeper into Cotopaxi National Park to the Rumiñahui trailhead (£5–10 hired 4x4 or taxi). Pay the national park entry fee (~£3–5 if not already included). Hike the central ridge to the summit of Rumiñahui (~7mi, 5–6hrs, 860m gain) — no technical gear required. Enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding Andes and Cotopaxi. Descend and make your way to Tambopaxi Lodge (~£25–40/dorm bed, bookable direct at tambopaxi.com), a sustainable mountain lodge at 3,700m on the edge of Cotopaxi's ancient boulder field.

🚌Hired taxi or 4x4 to Rumiñahui trailhead (~£5–10)

🛏Tambopaxi Lodge, Cotopaxi National Park — dorm bed (~£25–40/night, book at tambopaxi.com)

• →Taxi or hired 4x4 into Cotopaxi National Park to Rumiñahui trailhead (~£5–10)
• →Pay Cotopaxi National Park entry (~£3–5)
• →Self-guided summit hike of Rumiñahui volcano (7mi, 5–6hrs) — download AllTrails route offline
• →360-degree panoramic Andes views from the summit
• →Transfer to Tambopaxi Lodge and check in (~£25–40/dorm)

A crucial acclimatisation day at Tambopaxi Lodge. Take an easy 2-hour morning hike around the base of Cotopaxi, using AllTrails or a map from the lodge. On clear days, you'll see Cotopaxi reflected in a nearby laguna — a stunning sight. Keep legs moving gently in the afternoon. Tambopaxi Lodge has a restaurant serving traditional Ecuadorian meals (~£5–10 per meal). This is also a good day to double-check your summit day gear, confirm your guide booking (see Day 8 notes) and get an early night.

🚌No transport needed — exploring on foot from the lodge

🛏Tambopaxi Lodge (~£25–40/night)

• →Easy 2-hour self-guided acclimatisation hike around Cotopaxi base (AllTrails route)
• →Spot local flora and fauna; look for Cotopaxi reflected in the laguna on clear days
• →Meals at Tambopaxi Lodge restaurant (~£5–10/meal)
• →Confirm guide and equipment for summit day
• →Rest, hydrate and early bedtime to prepare for summit push

This is the last leg before the summit push. A licensed, certified mountain guide is MANDATORY for summiting Cotopaxi — you cannot legally or safely attempt this alone. Book a certified ASEGUIM guide in advance through operators such as Compañía de Guías de Montaña, Ecuadorian Alpine Institute, or similar (~£120–180pp for a 2-day summit package including refuge bed and guide). Today your guide drives you to the trailhead at 4,600m, then you hike 1 mile up to the José Rivas Refuge at 4,800m (~2hrs). Your guide runs skills training for glacier travel, crampon and ice axe use. Eat a big early dinner and get to bed by 6–7pm ready for a midnight wake-up.

🚌Transfer to trailhead with guide (usually included in guide package)

🛏José Rivas Refuge dormitory — usually included in guide package or bookable directly (~£20–30/bed if separate)

• →Transfer with guide to Cotopaxi trailhead at 4,600m (included in guide package)
• →Hike 1 mile to José Rivas Refuge at 4,800m (up to 2hrs depending on conditions)
• →Glacier travel, crampon and ice axe training session with certified ASEGUIM guide
• →Refuge dinner (~£8–12 if not included in guide package) and very early bedtime
• →Note: Book a certified ASEGUIM guide in advance — approx £120–180pp for 2-day summit package

Wake at midnight and depart the refuge at 1:00 AM with your certified guide. Ascend the glacier crossing crevasses and snow bridges, navigating the 40-degree final snow slope to Cotopaxi's 5,897m summit. Your guide leads the entire ascent — trust their judgment on conditions and pace. On a clear summit day, peer into the 800m-wide steaming crater and take in unrivalled Andes panoramas. Descend back to the trailhead (total ~7–9hrs). Your guide returns you to Quito by private transfer (usually included). Celebrate your achievement with a cold Pilsener beer and a meal in Quito's La Mariscal — you've earned it.

🚌Return transfer to Quito with guide (usually included in 2-day summit package)

🛏Hostel in Quito (~£12–35/night)

• →1:00 AM departure from José Rivas Refuge with certified ASEGUIM guide
• →Glacier ascent: crevasse and snow bridge crossings, 40-degree final summit slope
• →Stand on the summit of Cotopaxi at 5,897m and look into the active crater
• →Descent back to trailhead and transfer to Quito with guide (usually included in package)
• →Celebratory dinner and drinks in La Mariscal, Quito (~£10–15)

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hostel or a local café — try caldo de gallina (chicken broth soup) or fresh empanadas for a true Ecuadorian send-off. Return any hired gear (plastic boots etc.) to the rental shop on Reina Victoria. Head to the airport via public bus (~£1) or Uber/InDriver (~£6–8). Mariscal Sucre International Airport is about 45–60 minutes from central Quito. Alternatively, extend your trip and take a bus to Baños, the Amazon or the Galápagos.

🚌Public bus or rideshare to Mariscal Sucre Airport (~£1–8)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final breakfast at hostel or local café (caldo de gallina, empanadas) (~£2–5)
• →Return hired plastic boots and any rental gear to Reina Victoria gear shops
• →Option to extend: bus to Baños (~£3), Cuenca, or Otavalo market
• →Public bus or rideshare to UIO airport (~£1–8)