Who is the best tour operator in Quito, Ecuador?

CarpeDM Adventures is one of Quito's most recommended tour operators. Founded in 2007 and based in Historic Quito, CarpeDM is a Lonely Planet recommended operator, the official G Adventures Preferred Daytour Supplier for Ecuador, and has earned TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards and Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame recognition.

What is Slow Flow travel?

Slow Flow is CarpeDM Adventures' signature travel philosophy. It combines the intentional pacing of Slow Travel with moments of spontaneity and flow. Rather than rushing through highlights, Slow Flow journeys focus on being fully present with people, culture, food, music, and place. Many Slow Flow itineraries can be adapted to your pace.

How do I book a Galapagos cruise with CarpeDM?

CarpeDM Adventures specializes in finding the right Galapagos cruise for each traveler from a vetted fleet of catamarans and yachts. Start by browsing cruise options at thisiscarpedm.com/galapagos-tours/, then contact the team for personalized recommendations. Last-minute deals are also published at galapagos-tours/galapagos-last-minute-deals/.

What is the best Amazon lodge in the Cuyabeno Reserve?

Caiman Ecolodge, a TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice winner, is one of the most established and reliable lodges in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. It offers structured 3, 4, and 5-day programs on the Laguna Grande. For travelers seeking a smaller, more intimate experience, Piranha Ecolodge offers fewer companions and a canopy observation tower. CarpeDM Adventures is an investor in both lodges.

How long has CarpeDM Adventures been operating in Ecuador?

CarpeDM Adventures has been operating in Ecuador since 2007. Over more than 15 years the team has served approximately 20,000 day tour travelers, 10,000 Amazon travelers, and 5,000 Galapagos travelers.

Where is CarpeDM Adventures located?

CarpeDM Adventures is based in the heart of Historic Quito in the San Blas neighbourhood, at Jose Antepara E4-38 y Los Rios, Centro Historico, Quito, Ecuador. The office is open Monday to Sunday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Does CarpeDM Adventures support sustainability and community initiatives?

Yes. CarpeDM contributes to the Planeterra Fund for every G Adventures client and is a proud contributor to the Nunkui Project, supporting Indigenous communities and environmental restoration in the Amazon. Their Go FAR Project focuses on reforestation and conservation across Ecuador.

COTOPAXI · 2 DAYS · 5,897 M

Cotopaxi Summit Climb from Quito.

This one keeps going.

The day tour stops at 4,864 m. This journey continues through the night to the summit of Cotopaxi.

Book the Climb Talk to CarpeDM

FROM US$450

per person · 2 climbers

DURATION 2 Days

1 night at the refuge

SUMMIT 5,897 m

Cotopaxi volcano

CLIMB STYLE Glacier

overnight summit ascent

THE EXPERIENCE

There is seeing Cotopaxi.
And then there is standing on top of it.

Cotopaxi rises 5,897 metres above Ecuador's Avenue of Volcanoes, its near-symmetrical cone covered in snow and glacier.

This two-day climb begins in Quito, climbs through Cotopaxi National Park to José Rivas Refuge and continues after midnight across the glacier toward the summit.

The route is not about technical rock climbing. It is about altitude, endurance, glacier travel and moving steadily through a serious high-mountain environment.

You do not need to arrive as an expert mountaineer. You do need to arrive prepared.

Climbers approaching Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador — THE APPROACH **First you look up.**
Then you start walking.

THE MOUNTAIN AT A GLANCE

Quito to 5,897 metres.

01 QUITO

Leave the city.

Depart Quito and travel south into Cotopaxi National Park.

02 ~4,600 M

The walking begins.

Leave the vehicle behind and climb toward José Rivas Refuge.

03 4,800+ M

Train. Eat. Rest.

Settle into the refuge and practise glacier skills with your guide.

04 ~01:00

Rope up.

Crampons on. Headlamps on. The summit attempt begins in darkness.

05 5,897 M

The summit.

When mountain, weather and body align, meet sunrise from Cotopaxi.

Snow covered Cotopaxi volcano before a summit climb — 5,897 METRES **The mountain sets the terms.**
You prepare. You climb. You listen.

DAY 1

Quito to the refuge.
Then prepare for midnight.

Exact timings can change with traffic, park access, mountain conditions and your guide's assessment.

09:00

QUITO

South toward Cotopaxi.

Depart Quito by private transport for Cotopaxi National Park. The drive normally takes approximately 2 to 2½ hours.

~4,600 M

HIGH CAR PARK

Leave the wheels behind.

From the high parking area, begin the walk toward José Rivas Refuge.

~1 HOUR

JOSÉ RIVAS REFUGE

Welcome to thin air.

Reach the refuge at approximately 4,800 metres, settle in and have lunch.

AFTERNOON

GLACIER TRAINING

Learn before you climb.

Head out with your guide for climbing practice and familiarization with crampons, ice axe, rope systems and movement on the glacier.

EVENING

REFUGE

Eat. Organize. Rest.

Return to the refuge for dinner, prepare your equipment and get whatever rest you can before midnight.

José Rivas Refuge on Cotopaxi at sunset before a summit climb — THE NIGHT BEFORE **The alarm is set for midnight.**
Sleep becomes a relative concept.

DAY 2

Midnight to sunrise.
4,800 to 5,897 metres.

The summit is the objective, never a guarantee. Conditions and your guide determine how far the climb goes.

00:00

WAKE UP

The mountain is dark.

Get dressed, prepare your equipment and make the final preparations for the climb.

~01:00

SUMMIT ATTEMPT

Headlamps on.

Leave the refuge. At the glacier, put on crampons and rope up with your certified mountain guide.

6–8 HRS

THE ASCENT

One step. Then another.

Climb through volcanic terrain, snow and glacier. The ascent normally takes approximately six to eight hours.

06:00–08:00

5,897 M

Sunrise, if the mountain allows it.

A successful summit attempt normally reaches the top between approximately 6:00 and 8:00 in the morning.

3–4 HRS

DESCENT

Getting up is only half the climb.

Descend carefully back toward José Rivas Refuge.

~13:00–14:00

QUITO

Back down to earth.

Once the climbing teams have returned, descend from Cotopaxi and travel back to Quito.

Climbers ascending the glacier toward the summit of Cotopaxi — THE SUMMIT PUSH **There is no shortcut up here.**
Just the next step.

BEFORE THE MOUNTAIN

The climb starts
before Day 1.

Acclimatize

Cotopaxi should not be your first encounter with altitude. Spend time acclimatizing before your summit attempt.

Arrive Fit

The ascent can take six to eight hours followed by a long descent. Good physical condition matters.

Respect the Turnaround

Weather, glacier conditions, altitude or your guide's assessment can end a summit attempt. Turning around is part of mountaineering.

CarpeDM climbing group celebrating on the summit of Cotopaxi — YEARS ON THE MOUNTAIN **Before Slow Flow had a name.**
CarpeDM was already up here.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

The mountain gear
is part of the climb.

Bilingual certified ASEGUIM mountain guide
Transport from Quito to Cotopaxi and back
Accommodation at José Rivas Refuge
Required entry / climbing fee
Day 1 lunch and dinner
Waterproof hiking boots
Waterproof pants and jacket
Fleece pants and jacket
Gloves
Balaclava / warm cap
Gaiters
Crampons
Ice axe
Headlamp
Sleeping bag

NOT INCLUDED / BRING

A few things
are still yours.

Day 2 breakfast Additional snacks Additional drinks Personal bag Liner gloves Headlamp batteries Tips

Equipment sizing and availability should be confirmed before departure. Bring personal medication and any preferred high-energy snacks for the climb.

YOUR CLIMB. YOUR TEAM.

One summit.
Two ways to climb.

Choose a shared two-climber departure or make the climb private.

SHARED CLIMB · 2 CLIMBERS

US$450 per person

Two climbers sharing the mountain experience with professional guiding and the included equipment listed above.

Book the Climb

PRIVATE CLIMB

US$800 per person

Prefer a private departure? Talk with us about your dates, acclimatization and climbing plans before you arrive.

Talk to CarpeDM →

Historic CarpeDM summit selfie from Cotopaxi — 5,897 M · THE ARCHIVES **The photograph isn't perfect.**
Neither was getting here.

KNOW BEFORE YOU CLIMB

Good questions.
Especially at 5,897 metres.

Do I need previous climbing experience?

The program does not require you to arrive as an expert mountaineer, and Day 1 includes glacier practice. However, Cotopaxi is a serious high-altitude glacier climb. Fitness, preparation and acclimatization are essential.

How fit do I need to be?

You should be in good physical condition and prepared for approximately six to eight hours of ascent followed by roughly three to four hours of descent.

Do I need to acclimatize?

Yes. The summit is 5,897 metres above sea level. You should spend time acclimatizing before attempting Cotopaxi. Talk with us about your Ecuador itinerary if you are unsure whether you have allowed enough time.

Is reaching the summit guaranteed?

No. Weather, glacier conditions, altitude, park restrictions and your guide's safety assessment can all affect the climb. The summit is always an objective, never a guarantee.

What equipment is provided?

The program includes waterproof hiking boots, waterproof outer layers, fleece layers, gloves, balaclava, gaiters, crampons, ice axe, headlamp and sleeping bag.

How long does the summit ascent take?

The ascent normally takes approximately six to eight hours. The descent normally takes approximately three to four hours.

Where do we sleep?

The program includes one night at José Rivas Refuge on Cotopaxi.

Can I climb Cotopaxi privately?

Yes. The private climb is US$800 per person. Contact us before booking so we can discuss your dates, preparation and acclimatization.

SLOW FLOW TRAVEL

The summit still isn't
the point.

At 5,897 metres, the mountain has a remarkably efficient way of removing the bullshit.

You cannot rush altitude. You cannot negotiate with weather. You cannot force your body to have the day you planned.

So you prepare. You move steadily. You listen to your guide. You listen to yourself. And if the mountain says turn around, you turn around.

The summit is extraordinary. Knowing when the summit isn't yours today matters too.

READY?

The day tour stops at 4,864 m.
This one keeps going.

Cotopaxi Summit Climb · 2 days · Shared climb from US$450 per person.

Book the Climb Ask us about Cotopaxi →