Rumiñahui extinct Volcano Trekking tour, 4712 m, An excellent acclimatisation mountain

There are three peaks on Rumiñahui: Sur, Central, and Norte. Norte is the highest. It is named after one of Atahualpa's famous generals and means the face or eye of stone. The metal rich rocks on this mountain are especially attractive to lightning strikes so it is especially unsafe to climb when thunderstorms threaten.

The three peaks offers different levels of difficulty. For treks the Central peak is the destination. If you would like to try the scramble up the North peak or the harder scramble/climb up the South peak please arrange it beforehand. Rope and harness accompany you on the North and South Peaks.

Private property prevents access from the west so all hikes/climbs begin on from the east. This side of the mountain is within Cotopaxi Volcano National Park and a $10 fee is charged. We start from Lago Limpiopungo and hike up a broad valley to the start of the climb. Even if you don't quite make the top the view is great. Cotopaxi rises high above the opposite side of Limpiopungo, Sincholagua sites to the north, Chimborazo is sometimes visible to the south, and the Illinizas and Corazón, are located to the west.