On our first day of this adventure, we are heading south of Quito to visit Cotopaxi National Park, traveling the famous route of the volcanoes. We use the travel time to absorb the sights of local villages, high Andean scenery, and the unique attire of the indigenous people of this region. Once we arrive in the national park, we will be 3800 meters above sea level (12,460 ft a.s.l. ) We begin our first hike in this gorgeous landscape around Limpiopungo Lake. Afterward, our journey continues up to Cotopaxi Volcano on a road that twists and turns its way to the parking lot of the refuge at 4.650 meters of altitude (15,250 ft. a.s.l.). From here we will hike to the refuge José Rivas at 4800 meters (15,750 ft. a.s.l.). Due to the extreme altitude, this seemingly short hike will take an hour. We will ascend to the beginning of the glacier, enjoy the views and in the afternoon we will continue our drive through the Andes to Baños.