ECUADOR - Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi National Park is located 60 km south of Quito just off the Pan American highway and is probably Ecuador’s finest national park.  The area covers 85,000 acres and is dominated by the magnificent presence of Cotopaxi Volcano. The volcano is a steep, snow-capped and symmetrical cone, giving it an appearance that matches the classic volcano shape imagined by most people. At 5,897 metres, Cotopaxi is the second highest mountain in Ecuador and is the highest active volcano in the country. It is also the most destructive volcano in Ecuador having erupted on several occasions during the 1700s and 1800s including the two occasions when it completely destroyed the town of Latacunga.  The last major eruption was in 1903/04 with some relatively minor activity in 1942. The park has a visitor’s centre located 6 km from the entrance with a small museum and toilet facilities.  

The road then rises between lava flows to a wide open plain and the Lago Limpiopungo.  This is a small lake with a walking trail and offers dramatic views of the surrounding mountain scenery.  It is possible to spot the extremely rare orange and black Atelopus frog around the shores of the lake.  The altitude of the lake is 3,800 metres and this means that any extensive exercise can seem quite breathtaking. It can also be windy and the dust blown across the plain can sometimes be irritating. Wild horses are usually found in this area.  The birds and vegetation are also of interest in the area. The road then rises a further 8.5 km to a parking area that is above the zone of vegetation and can even be within the snow cone of the mountain. You should therefore bring warm clothing if you intend to go walking. This is the highest point that can be reached by vehicle. An uphill walk of up to 45 minutes brings you to the Climber’s Refuge with bunk beds and facilities for climbers. Going any higher than this requires specialist knowledge and equipment such as ice-axes, crampons and climbing ropes.  Qualified guides can be hired locally should you wish to attempt the ascent.

The best place to stay in this area is the Hosteria La Cienega with its green lawns, formal gardens and huge 120 year-old eucalyptus trees. Many famous names have stayed here including Alexander von Humboldt, Charles Marie de la Condamine and many Ecuadorian presidents.  The main building was built in 1580 and is considered a national historic landmark.