Celebrate the challenging yet captivating nature of Cotopaxi alongside students on our Language Ecuador and the Galápagos program.
From students Lincoln and Liam:
During our full day staying at the hacienda, we had the opportunity to ride horses. While some had experience horseback riding, for others it was their first time. Nevertheless, our guide made the process approachable for everyone no matter their skill level. The ride lasted a few hours, with most of it consisting of walking and trotting. The highlight of the experience was the view of Cotopaxi and the statues at the end of the path.
One of the best parts of staying at the hacienda was the delicious meals. The restaurant had many great options and most meals were served in multiple courses, ending with a dessert at both lunch and dinner! Our amazing chef even gave us all a cooking class, where she taught us how to make delicious cheese empanadas, aji (Ecuadorian salsa), and canelazo (a drink similar to a cider).
One of our favorite moments was visiting the high ropes course, which was a thrilling experience. Even though it was not that high off the ground, the wind was blowing like crazy! At first, the obstacles did not look that challenging, but when they started flying around in the wind, they became a good challenge and took us over an hour to do!
From Putney Leaders Chloe and Michael:
Every day we gather for our group meeting. Tonight we played a new Spanish language game and also competed in “human knots.” Tomorrow we will hike Cotopaxi!
From student Amelia:
Today, our group took on Cotopaxi! We woke up early to an amazing breakfast of yogurt, pancakes, eggs, and french toast. After bundling up in countless layers to face Cotopaxi’s brutal winds, we packed up our bags and loaded the bus, eager to start our day. The ride over was beautiful and our local guide, Washington, told us about Cotopaxi’s interesting history. We even caught sight of a fox hiding behind a rock at the base of the mountain on the drive!
As we approached our trailhead, we put on sunglasses, face coverings, and multiple pairs of socks to protect ourselves from the intense winds! Washington slowly led us up the steep climb to the Refuge, where steaming cups of hot chocolate were waiting for us. The hike was beautiful, with amazing views of lava rock and steep rock overhangs.
After we warmed up our hands and feet, a small group went up farther to explore the snowy areas of Cotopaxi, which was a short climb away from the Refuge. I loved seeing the icicles dangling off of the rock overhangs. The extra hike was definitely worth the views!
We descended the mountain in a skier-esque style, sliding and gliding through the slippery gravel.
Having now returned to the bus, we enjoyed delicious packed lunches and prepared for our next destination, Quito!
To learn more about our Language Ecuador & the Galápagos program, click here!
