Cotopaxi Rapid Ascent™ – High Altitude in Just Five Days
A Gateway to the Andes
Cotopaxi, at 19,347 ft (5,897 m), is one of the world’s highest active volcanoes and among the most striking peaks in Ecuador. With its glacier-capped summit and near-perfect symmetry, it’s a true high-altitude objective. Thanks to our Rapid Ascent™ system, climbers can attempt Cotopaxi in just five days—making it possible to step into big-mountain terrain without taking weeks away from home.
The Rapid Ascent™ Approach
Our program begins before you leave home. Using hypoxic pre-acclimatization—specialized training that simulates the low-oxygen environment of altitude—you prepare your body weeks in advance. By the time you arrive in Ecuador, you’re ready to head straight to the mountain, reducing downtime and allowing for a safe, efficient summit attempt in under a week.
This system, refined on our Himalayan expeditions, cuts down travel time while maintaining a strong safety margin and giving climbers a real shot at Cotopaxi’s summit.
Guides and Local Expertise
The team is led by AMGA/IFMGA-certified guides alongside our trusted Ecuadorian partners. Together they bring world-class mountain safety standards and a deep understanding of Cotopaxi’s terrain, culture, and conditions.
Life on the Mountain
Instead of camping in the cold, climbers stay at the Tambopaxi Lodge, located inside Cotopaxi National Park. From here, you’ll have direct access to the mountain to train in glacier skills, roped travel, and safety systems while enjoying warm beds, good meals, and incredible views of Cotopaxi.
Five Days, Start to Finish
• Day 1: Arrive in Quito
• Day 2: Transfer to Tambopaxi Lodge; light training and acclimatization
• Day 3: Glacier skills and preparation day
• Day 4: Midnight summit push on the North Face glacier route
• Day 5: Return to Quito
Who This Climb Is For
Cotopaxi Rapid Ascent™ is designed for climbers who are:
• In excellent physical condition
• Have prior experience above 16,500 ft (5,000 m)
• Comfortable with challenging hikes and willing to learn technical skills like crampon use and glacier travel
No prior ice climbing or advanced mountaineering background is required—our guides provide the technical training on site.
Why Cotopaxi Rapid Ascent™
This expedition offers the rare chance to experience a major Andean peak in less than a week. For climbers who are ready to test themselves at altitude, Cotopaxi is both accessible and challenging, and serves as a stepping stone toward even bigger objectives in the Andes or Himalaya.
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