Trek Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes to Cotopaxi's Summit (5897m)

This trip is amazing, loads of fun and a good challenge too! I couldn’t fault the trip - the food, places you stay (much nicer than expected, and hot showers everywhere!), guides and volcanoes you visit are all incredible. The acclimatisation walks are a great way to explore the areas around Quito, and Cotopaxi does not disappoint! I didn’t have any experience with crampons/ice axes which was ok but I underestimated how much harder the summit push would be. Would recommend this trip big time!

I've had my eye on Cotopaxi for a while now and so glad I chose to do it with MBA. The trip was amazing. . . . the acclimatization process was well thought out and prepared us perfectly for summit day. A big thanks to our guides Pablo and Freddie who looked after us so well. The food was amazing and plentiful. Best of all, we had a wonderful group who gelled really well together. Climbing Cotopaxi itself was an amazing experience. . . one of the toughest things I've ever done but the sense of achievement at the top made it totally worth it.

Where do I start, I booked on a whim and can honestly say it’s the best impulsive decision I’ve ever made!

First time solo traveller and I was nervous about a group trip, but I couldn’t have wished for a better group. From day one everybody got on and the dynamics made for a cracking week with laughs all the way!

The hiking and trekking to acclimatise for the big day were perfect and the accommodation and food just what was needed.

Couldn’t have wished for a better end to the year, will definitely be booking a MBA trip in the near future.

Thanks MBA and everybody who made this week so special.

Tom

This trip was unreal! We were really looked after by the team and the food and accommodation was great. The summit was a tough slog (6-7 hours) but really worth it and our guides Pablo and Freddy helped us acclimatise with Abraham taking us up the final push! I would recommend checking your kit list before you leave to check if a smaller bag might suit you as you only need to carry your sleeping bag to the refuge. I took three bags where maybe 2 would have been enough. Overall a trip of a lifetime! Don’t forget your suncream & SNACKS!

Great trip and all - food and lodging was very well organised. I gave a 4 and not a 5 as I believe the missing link was proper clear communication. Most other trips I’ve been on have had clear briefings after dinner. Here it was so random. Folks at the table would be chatting away when the guide suddenly randomly speaks up about tomorrow’s plan - and he didn’t even discuss the “plan”. Would just say what time we have to be ready for breakfast!

Do Cotopaxi right with MBA...case in point, when I got to the base camp, I was very pleasantly surprised by how respected Diego was in the hiking community. Other guides respected his judgement when Olga, Richard and I summitted; I could be making this up, but refuge staff all gave him firm handshakes and treated the five of us very nicely when we were up there. Great feeling that I was following the right leader. Personally and very very importantly, I was struggling on D-Day and Diego and Robinson pushed me, sometimes literally...I am not saying that you should expect that experienced staff drag you all the way to the very top...what I am saying is that the official/company description you read on here is the accurate description of your expected experience -- 7/8 days of "training" (exploring other volcanos in Ecuador) + the Big Day. I did this trip solo and rolled the dice re: my fellow teammates, but you know what, I watched tons of YouTube videos before/after summitting and simply could not see myself doing the trip without Richard or Olga...this is an important point because MBA does get you a solid group of "mates"...Javier will get you set up on Day One...random thoughts above just to supplement other reviews.

Incredible trip and Cotopaxi is now open! It was perfectly organized, safe, versatile, fun and challenging at the same time. Hats off to the local host Javier and the whole team! All accommodation spots are located in super safe areas, so you don’t need to worry about news, curfew or anything else. Our guide helped us acclimatize perfectly and was very supportive during the final summit. This is a serious mountain and a real challenge, so please do read the kit list carefully and bring everything they mention - you will definitely need it 😁 amazing trip, memories for the lifetime

Excellent trip from the start shared with really fun people. Pablo and Pepe looked after us really well and the organisation was great. I loved Ecuador, the hiking there was challenging and varied as well as being picturesque. Sadly we didn’t make the summit of Cayambe due to bad weather but this gives me a great excuse to go back! You need a good level of fitness for this trip.

From stepping out of the airport I was instantly looked after and felt safe. This trip gave a fantastic variety of places to stay from a beautiful lodge with fantastic views, a cosy campsite with excellent facilities/staff, to a comfortable refuge on summit night. Was also given plenty (plenty) of food.

We got to see Quito the capital of Ecuador (as well as surrounding areas such as Cumbayá) great sites in particular a lovely roof top restaurant for lunch. I felt very safe, relaxed and welcomed.

Our guides throughout were amazing, Pablo and Joaquin looked after us and answered our many questions. They were incredibly patient when we didn’t remember what the plan was the next day. They helped us go at a great pace so we could all enjoy the views and the hikes.

Cotopaxi was closed at the time but still managed to go 5000m up with amazing views.

I was upset not to be able to submit Cotopaxi but I needn’t been. Cayambe was a fantastic climb and a huge challenge that I throughly enjoyed. The spectacular views were everything I’d hoped for. Can’t recommend this trip enough.

It was a great trip We were unable to do Cotopaxi due to the level of activity. But Cayambe is a great second choice. Challenging adventures and breathtaking views are guaranteed. Our guides Joaquin, José and Marco were simply great! It was a great time and we had a great time despite the rain, very varied trip. The last day is the most strenuous, the days before were mainly for acclimatisation.

The accommodation and transfers went smoothly, everything was very well organised and very punctual!

Ecuador and dear guides, Charlotte and I will come definitely back :)

The trip was absolutely incredible. From the moment I arrived in Quito I felt very well looked after by the whole team. The service was absolutely outstanding. My bag was lost in transit and Javier was incredible in his help to get my bag back to me. Joaquin, our guide, was amazing - he was everything a good guide should be. I trusted him completely to put our safety first and he was incredibly professional but he was also one of the warmest, kindest people I've met in a long time and lots of fun to be around. He told some incredible stories and loved answering our questions about Ecuador. Marco, who looked after our food for the first couple of days when camping was amazing - he was so funny and we all enjoyed his company and food. The accommodation throughout was amazing. The itinerary was built around acclimatization for the summit and we all acclimatized really well for the big climb. Overall the trip was a huge success, and I will not hesitate to book a trip with MBA again, and I will most definitely be back to Ecuador for some more climbing!!

Despite a change in final destination (Cayambe instead of Cotopaxi due to ongoing volcanic activity at the later), the trip was well organised with an emphasis on proper acclimatisation and preparation for the summit night. Andean Face guides Pablo, Pepe and Ivan (summit night only) were excellent, knowledgeable and highly experienced. Whilst disappointing, the decision to abort summiting Cayambe due to inclement weather was correctly taken on safety reasons (we reached 5043m).

This was a very challenging hike but a great week overall. We didn’t summit due to safety concerns but I appreciated that the guides took us as high as they safely could. The food was delicious and abundant for most people but lunches for those of us who require gluten free were not great. Definitely recommend bringing lots of your own snacks if you are celiac. Javier is great and thoughtful and Pablo is friendly and helpful.

Was an amazing adventurous experience! Guides were very Professional and Knowledgeable! I highly recommend this trip!

An amazing week trekking in some beautiful parts of Ecuador. It was well organised, the accomodation was good and varied. The food was equally delicious. And everyone was friendly and knowledgable. Would definitely recommend.

Ecuador is an incredible country to visit. Great hiking and great people.

What an an amazing trip. Cannot recommend this highly enough.The scenery is epic. Such a beautiful country. Guides are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Accommodation was great and even the camp site had hot showers & a warm chill out room.

It was a challenge to hike Cayambe but I was satisfied as the muchbetteradvanture delivered what they promised!

We had an amazing experience in Ecuador. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable, and they seemed to assess group dynamic and fitness well. The range of ecosystems that we saw was incredible! Summit day for Cayambe was very challenging, but the attention to acclimation definitely helped us to reach the summit - high above the clouds with a view of two erupting volcanoes!

As happens with active volcanoes Cotopaxi was indeed active, to the point we couldn’t summit. However the acclimatisation hikes were perfect and the Cayambe alternative was a more than suitable challenge and an incredible experience. Hats off to the local team and a special shout out to our guide Joaquín for making the whole experience one to remember.

This is the hardest trip that I have signed up for so I was a bit nervous, but the Javier's team made everything very seamless and easy. The guides were definitely the best part of the trip and overall, I felt the the trip was well organized. Communication was great leading up to and during the trip. They provided good snacks and meals. The guides has plentiful knowledge not only on the hikes but also about Ecuador in general. I would definitely sign up to do another hike

Javier and his team was very nice and professional. Joaquin was very informative and knowledgeable! Gave us a lot of good advice. The acclimation hikes were nice although some were a bit short yet on the summit day I felt well acclimatised and didn't suffer from the altitude. The places where we stayed where all very nice and we were well looked after. Unfortunately we couldn't climb cotopaxi because of some volcanic activities, the new objective became Cayambe. 3 out of 4 of our team managed to summit, that was pretty epic! My only wish we had spent less nights in Quito and more in haciendas / closer to nature.

Javier & his team arranged a very thoughtful acclimatization trip that not only maximized our chances of summiting but also ensured we had fun all along the way. When we weren’t on the mountains we were staying in beautiful haciendas and eating great food.

Our guides (Pablo, Abraham & Joaquin) were all very professional but also warm and encouraging. They imparted a lot of great mountaineering and life wisdom that I’ll keep with me on all my future adventures.

This trip was just fantastic. Javier, our local host, did a wonderful job organising everything and everyone at Andeanface was super friendly and knowledgeable. Accommodation is comfortable and we were always well looked after. The program also allowed us to acclimatise properly.

You will need to be very fit to summit, even when acclimatised, it is hard work! Make sure you bring all your warm layers too.

Definitely all worth it as you get to see a lot of this wonderful country!

This trip to Ecuador was beyond excellent! It was a great joy to climb and hike with the team. I am extremely impressed with our guides, who showed both great professional skills in the mountains and the warmest and most supportive personalities when helping us to the summits. Even if there was some changes to the initial itinerary, all arrangements were taken with flexible, yet very well organised manner. 5/5, would recommend to anyone seeking a good adventure with great people.

Absolutely Incredible trip!! Couldn't recommend enough. Amazing terrains, hikes, food, people and guides! Such good value for money also. Cotopaxi summit day was the most challenging but worth it!

Great trip. Summiting Cotopaxi was intense but gave us the most stunning sunrise I've ever seen in my life. The acclimation program was well thought out and the hikes were beautiful. Our guide was very knowledgeable and organized. I had a wonderful time.

Bring heavy sunscreen (at least SPF 50 or better yet, 70). Also, train. I'm relatively fit--I run and climb regularly--but I wish I had done more specific training for this trip.

This was a fantastic trip from beginning to end. The local host, Javier, was very responsive to all of my questions prior to arrival and delivered on everything he said he would. I especially appreciate how well he took care of my daughter's (gluten free) dietary restriction, and that he arranged to take my daughter and I for the covid tests required for our return to the U.S. at the end of our trip. The entire team of guides--Pablo for the first four days of hiking and Marco and Cosme for the mountaineering on Cotopaxi--was great...all knowledgeable, professional, personable and highly attentive to the group's needs. I can't commend them highly enough. With the exception of one night at Los Mortinos, which was surprisingly upscale, accommodations are basic, but clean and comfortable. (Be aware that two nights in Tambopaxi were dormitory style accommodations; one room for the entire group.) I also appreciate how well thought out the itinerary was planned. The daily hikes along the Avenue of the Volcanoes increased in elevation every day in order to acclimate to the higher altitude, giving the best chance of success in reaching the summit of Cotopaxi-the main event-at the end of the week. Cotopaxi is a VERY tough hike, unlike anything that I've ever done before and certainly outside my comfort zone, but I am really glad that I tried it. I also enjoyed my time in Quito at the beginning and end of the trek. The hostel, Casa Helbling, was clean and comfortable and well-located, and the host was delightful. I hope to get back to Quito one day to explore more of the city. Again, simply a fantastic trip from beginning to end.

MBA (and their local host) delivered an outstanding expedition from end to end. Everything was seamlessly organised - from transfers between haciendas/campsites to equipment hiring. Pace of the acclimatisation programme was just right, with rest days in between the summit attempts on Pasochoa, Ruminahui and Cotopaxi spent in beautiful accommodation with great food throughout. Our guides Pablo and Marco were exceptional: personable and professional - we felt very safe in their hands.

The hiking (and sleeping) plan was both pretty and great for acclimitization. All four of us (with a 28-year gap between the youngest and oldest) made it up to the summit in time for the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen. Things weren't perfectly organized but it all worked out in the end.