cotopaxi training plan - Summit Stoke

your first step into mountaineering!

From Zero to Cotopaxi

A free 12-week training plan designed for beginners who want to climb their first high-altitude peak:

"this is how i wish i had started"

Hi, I’m Amalie, Co-Founder of Summit Stoke.

Most people think mountaineering is only for experienced climbers, but that’s not how people actually start.

I was a complete beginner once too and honestly, I wish I had started this way with proper progression and guidance every step of the way instead of just jumping straight into something extreme.

That’s why we created this plan: to give you a clear, structured, and realistic starting point.

This training plan is for you if:

You don’t need:

Instead you need:

You Don't Need Mountains To Start Climbing Them!

Inside the training plan:

A 12-week structured program (progressive build-up)
Only ~3 sessions per week (realistic + sustainable)
Aerobic training for endurance (the key for mountaineering)
Strength training (core, legs, injury prevention)
Muscular endurance (stairs, hiking, weighted training)
Built-in recovery weeks

This is how "one day" becomes real.

Philosophy

You don’t need perfection. You need consistency. Big mountains aren't climbed in a rush. It's about moving steadily for hours. Breath by breath, step by step. And it all starts with showing up.

Transformation

One day you could be standing on top of a majestic summit high above the clouds, watching the sunrise over the Andes. But it doesn't start there. It starts right here. This is your first step.

Download Your Free Training Plan:

Still unsure if this is realistic for you?

You can book a free 30-min info call with me.

We’ll talk through:
Your fitness, your starting point and whether Cotopaxi is realistic for you

No pressure, just clarity.

” I successfully summited Cotopaxi with Summit Stoke. They made sure I was well acclimatized by including Corazón and Iliniza North in my itinerary. When climbing Chimborazo wasn't possible due to conditions, they were super flexible and I was able to pivot to Cayambe instead. My guide Fatima was attentive and super knowledgeable. Not only does she know the mountains well but she has great relationships with the local climbing community. Would definitely recommend the team at Summit Stoke!!!!”

“Before the adventure began, communication with the company owner was excellent-Amalie responded quickly to all my questions and provided helpful information. The local accommodations were comfortable and the food was fantastic. Our guide - Estalin was truly top-notch - skilled, patient, and reassuring. He helped the more challenging climbs feel achievable! In addition to climbing, we had few yoga sessions which was a great opportunity to rest - both body and mind! Overall, it was an unforgettable experience! Highly recommended!”

"Best Experience Ever! I would highly recommend Summit Stoke! They are very conscientious with their planning and care a great deal about not only providing a great experience for the traveler but also for highlighting respect and knowledge of the places we visited. The communication was impeccable and our guide was fantastic. I not only always felt safe but also very welcome and learned alot. We did the Beginner Mountaineering program and loved every minute of it."

“From Day 1 of inquiring the itinerary, Amalie (the co-owner) was incredibly responsive and attentive to our questions. We felt incredibly safe during the climbs as well as the drives across the country. The itinerary is quite unique compared to other similar companies. Notably, the rock climbing sessions and the glacier training were useful in reaching the summits safely. We would certainly consider Summit Stoke for our next Andean adventures.”

“The best experience of my life. Professionals and passionate about the mountains. Excellent planning. Very punctual and organized. In those mountains it makes you feel safe. The best.”

“Excellent. Very attentive, helpful and supportive. Impeccable logistics, they adapt and anticipate very well according to sudden changes out of their hands to external events. Personalized, professional in all areas. I would return a thousand and one times to hire them. You can tell they love what they do. 100% Pura Vida”

”Montañas de Ecuador with Summit Stoke y el mejor Guía David. Muchas Gracias para todo. & the biggest challenge so far! On the list: 1: Guagua Pichincha 4776 m 2: Quilindaña 4878 m 3: Cayambe 5800 m 4: Antisana 5750 m”

"10-star experience with Summit Stoke! I traveled with Summit Stoke around fantastic and beautiful Ecuador. Summit Stoke created a very authentic and accomplished experience that I will never forget. It was clearly my best experience in South America and I am so happy that I chose to travel with them. I look forward to returning to Ecuador in the future where I would have no hesitation in choosing Summit Stoke to plan and arrange the trip for me!"

"I hiked Volcan Cotopaxi and my guide was Alberto. He was professional, reliable and a lot of fun. I couldn't have had a better partner for tackling Cotopaxi. Gracias Alberto!"

"Very grateful for so much and for the best birthday gift of my life. Summit Stoke was the best of the best experience"

"I am sooo grateful for Summit Stoke's help in Peru! They got me a spot on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with only a few weeks of anticipation. Normally they are sold out months in advance! In short Summit Stoke is: thorough, reliable, pleasant to do business with, competent and knowledgeable. My easiest recommendations!"

"The best option for tourism and mountaineering in Ecuador. Professional, committed, 100% attentive. Super recommended."

"We reached the top of Imbabura! Thanks to our guide Pedro, who was patient and careful, we managed to reach the top of Imbabura. For me this was a dream come true, thanks to Summit Stoke for making it possible."

"Amazing experience! Besides Summit Stokes expertise in mountaineering in Ecuador, they also do tours in other parts of Ecuador (We contacted them since they share so many amazing photos and videos on their Instagram!). We booked a trip to Galapagos with Summit Stoke, and it was a fantastic and perfectly planned tour where we could lean back and just follow the programme that Summit Stoke had made for us. If going to Ecuador again, we will definitely reach out to Summit Stoke! Thank you guys 🙌🏼"

your first step into mountaineering!

From Zero to Cotopaxi

A free 12-week training plan designed for beginners who want to climb their first high-altitude peak:

"this is how i wish i had started"

This training plan is for you if:

You don’t need:

Instead you need:

You Don't Need Mountains To Start Climbing Them!

Inside the training plan:

This is how "one day" becomes real.

Philosophy

Transformation

Download Your Free Training Plan:

Still unsure if this is realistic for you?

What our mountaineers are saying

Plan Your Next
Andean Adventure:

Stay Stoked!

your first step into mountaineering!

From Zero to Cotopaxi

A free 12-week training plan designed for beginners who want to climb their first high-altitude peak:

"this is how i wish i had started"

This training plan is for you if:

You don’t need:

Instead you need:

You Don't Need Mountains To Start Climbing Them!

Inside the training plan:

This is how "one day" becomes real.

Philosophy

Transformation

Download Your Free Training Plan:

Still unsure if this is realistic for you?

What our mountaineers are saying

Plan Your Next Andean Adventure:

Stay Stoked!

Plan Your Next
Andean Adventure: