Cotopaxi

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Cotopaxi National Park

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globe trotter
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4 out of 5
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Editor Pick

Cotopaxi National Park

  • July 1, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Shady Ady from Hinckley, United Kingdom
Cotopaxi National Park

Having lived on the slopes of Cotopaxi Volcano for almost a year you could say it's a little rude I haven't yet ventured into the national park itself. The summit of Cotopaxi volcano is an amazing spectacle if you are lucky enough to venture here on a clear day, the symmetrical 5897m peak resembling that of an ice-cream cone rather than the explosive centre of the world’s highest volcano.

The first thing you notice when arriving into the park are hauntingly beautiful sights in every direction, not just of the volcano itself. It's impossible not to be mesmerised by the impounding beauty of the place, whether it be staring upwards towards the volcano summit from the comfort of the refuge, taking in the tranquillity and wild horses of Laguna Limpiopungo, or staring outwards towards the surrounding peaks, including Rumiñahui, which during Incan times was the scene of many a beheading of sacrificial virgins.

Getting to the national park is straightforward, especially from Quito. Organised trips from Quito cost on average $50 per person. A cheaper option, if travelling in a group, is to take a Latacunga bound bus to the town of Lasso, taking ninety minutes and costing $1. Here camionetas (pick-up truck) can be hired, or arrange a tour through the excellent Marcelo Araque Expediciones (Tel: 271-9524 or 098-698125, Email: maexpediciones@yahoo.com). Both these options cost $50 for the vehicle and guide, allowing for a drastic cut in cost.

Activities normally undertaken during a trip here include the park museum (Centro de Informacion Mariscal Sucre), housing a number of stuffed animals and a 3D model of the park. Numerous hikes can also be undertaken, gorges, forged in the landscape by past eruptions, Laguna Limiopunga, and a trip to some archaeological ruins. All this in a dust ridden landscape boasting a number of brightly coloured plants, which creates an eerie atmosphere.

For many, the main reason for a trip here is a hike up the volcano itself, either the refuge (4800m a.s.l.) or the glacier (5000m a.s.l.), both from the parking area (4500m a.s.l). Both are very strenuous climb up the sandy incline, fighting the wind and flying debris. Expect to spend a good two hours making the climb upwards (30 minutes to return to the parking lot). The effort is well worth it, especially on a clear day where unbeatable views can be had across the Andean hills and up towards the peak, which certainly doesn't seem another seven hours hike away. If the sub minus temperatures become too much you can use the refuge as a means of escape which serves hot drinks and a small selection of food.

A trip to Cotopaxi National Park should be made by anyone visiting Ecuador and for me this was the highlight of Cotopaxi National Park and in terms of beauty, I think it comes a close second only to El Cajas National Park, located an hour from Cuenca.

From journal Tales of a Travelling Englishman (Ecuador - Part 7)

Cotopaxi National Park

  • November 12, 2000
  • Rated 3 of 5 by globe trotter from Manchester, United Kingdom
The reason for doing this hike is really to get spectacular views of Cotopaxi (19,347') - the highest active volcano in the world, with a perfect conical shape . Unfortunately we had really bad weather - rain, fog, mist - you name it we had it & we got no view at all! We did see wild horses & a few birds (condors can be spotted here in fine weather)- we also visited the stone remains of Inca buildings.

As I saw the stunning sight of Cotopaxi the next day - from the roadside - I can only imagine that seeing it from the Laguna de Limpiopungo (12,464') lookout would have been amazing.

From journal Hiking the Haciendas South of Quito

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