Our adventure started early in the morning, as we were picked up from our hotel in Quito and began our journey to the park. The drive to Cotopaxi was scenic, as we passed through small towns and picturesque landscapes. As we entered the park, Cotopaxi began to peak her head out from behind the clouds. We couldn't help but feel excited about the adventure that awaited us.
Our first stop was at the Limpiopungo Lagoon, where we had the chance to admire the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the diverse flora and fauna of the park. We saw llamas grazing in the distance, while colorful birds flew above us. The elevation wasn't too bad at this point, so we were able to explore the area without any issues. If you are struggling with the elevation though this is a perfectly fine spot to stop, take an easy, flat walk around the lagoon and still enjoy incredible views of the volcano.
Lake in Cotopaxi National Park (Jess Heuermann)
Our next stop was at the Refugio José Rivas, located at an elevation of 15,953 feet. This is where the real adventure began, as we started hiking up to the refugio. The hike was slow going, as the elevation began to take its toll on us. We took plenty of breaks to catch our breath. As we neared the refugio, the wind was really whipping so we were glad to have warm coats and hoods.
Finally, we made it to the Refugio José Rivas, located at an elevation of 16,000 feet. We were met with stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and the Cotopaxi Volcano towering above us. The Refugio was a cozy little hut, where we were able to warm up with hot chocolate and coca tea. We were proud of ourselves for making it all the way up, and the feeling of accomplishment was indescribable.
Almost 16,000 ft! (Jess Heuermann)
After spending some time at the Refugio, we made our way down to the Hacienda Porvenir, where we took a cooking class and learned how to make ahi hot sauce and empanadas. Our instructor for our private class didn't speak a bit of English but we managed to communicate and learn about the local ingredients used in Andean cuisine. We even got to taste our creations, which were delicious.
We have told everyone we know about Adventure Life. What a great company to work with and no detail is missed. Call them for your next adventure!!
Paul Rupert
4 months ago
Clara was great to work with. She presented lots of options and always responded promptly. And she found excellent options within our price range.
Colorado Traveler
7 months ago
Erin C. was incredibly helpful and thorough. I had answers immediately or within the same day.
Marilyn Snook
7 months ago
The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.
