Day 2: Refugio Ilinizas (4.600m / 15.092ft)
After breakfast a mid-morning departure from Quito to Ilinizas parking lot. We will leave Quito on the Pan-American Highway southbound where we cross a rich green and fertile valley, commonly referred to as "The Valley of the Volcanoes". After one and a half hours we will arrive at a remote paramo in an area called la Virgén. From here it is a 3 hour hike up to the refuge with our full back packing on us, the refuge is situated at 4.600m. Dinner and sleep in the refuge.

Day 5: Cotopaxi climbing school
Cotopaxi Glaciers School day. Wake up at 7 am for breakfast. We continue with altitude acclimatization. We go onto the glacier at 8h30am and work on the moderate glacier section a good area to familiarize ourselves with the various climbing techniques and equipment.

Your guide will ensure you have the necessary glacier skills and all the techniques for climbing the high peaks like Cayambe, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo. Etc. Etc. Etc... and other mountains, too. You'll learn and practice rope-handling, glacier travel snow climbing and basic crevasse rescue skills and safety techniques... The general procedures for high peak mountains. After 5 hours training we will return to the refuge for delicious lunch and a resting afternoon, Of course need tp prepare our mountain gear for a midnight departure for Cotopaxi day summit. Early dinner and early to bed, usually by 6:30 P.M.