Galapagos Natural Life
Cotopaxi Tour
Daily Tour Ecuador
Cotopaxi National Park was founded on August 11th, 1975. It is one of the most important protected areas in Ecuador. Also, it is the second place most visited by tourists.
It is located between the provinces of Cotopaxi, Napo, and Pichincha, 1.5, or 2 hours from Quito. It has an extension of 33.393 hectares. The temperature is between 0º – 15ºC. It has an altitude of 5897meters at the top.
It is considered the highest active volcano in the world. In native language Cotopaxi means “Cuello de luna “/ Neck of the moon). The form of Cotopaxi Volcano is like a perfect cone. And, it is covered by a glacier over the 4800meters.
The landscape of the park is volcanic, around it exist some “lahars”, the depot of ash.
You might visit the Interpretation Center (Mariscal Sucre). After that, we are going to walk from the parking lot to the refuge (José Rivas) for approximately 40minutes (it depends on your fitness). For arriving at the glacier we have to walk for approximately 20minutes more. Then we come back to the parking lot, to take the bikes to go downhill until the Limpiopungo Lake.
Itinerary
Tour to Cotopaxi Volcano (1 Day)
Note: Tour begins at 7:00 am, for the rest of the activities the time is approximate. And it could change while the tour is developing.
The tour begins. We are going to travel for approximately 1 and a half or 2 hours.
The first technical stop is going to be at the entrance of the National Park because we have to pay the entrance fee. Also, if you want, you might buy some handicrafts in the small market. The products that you will find are made by the people of the near communities. This is the last opportunity for having a pair of gloves and a cap of wool for being warm.
We are going to visit the Interpretation Center “Mariscal Sucre”. Inside it, we are going to have an explanation about different aspects of the National Park (history, animals, plants, others).
We are going to arrive at a big esplanade in the park. It is a good moment to take pictures and see the landscape.
We are going to be in the parking lot. We need to take the appropriate clothes and water for beginning to climb.
We are going to walk for approximately 40 minutes (it depends on your fitness)
We have deserved rest at the refuge (José Rivas). After a moment, the people who want to arrive until the glacier can go for a walk of 25 minutes more. And also if the weather conditions are good, you are going to have a beautiful view of the mountains and the landscapes. After that, we return to the refuge, for having lunch. It is an excellent moment, for sharing experiences with friends, while you are drinking a delicious cup of hot chocolate.
We continue our tour, now we have to come back to the parking lot, and take the bikes to go downhill until the Limpiopungo Lake.
We are in the parking lot. Take the bikes and enjoy the trip. It could be for 40 minutes (it depends on your ability).
Arrive at the Limpiopungo Lake. We have a moment for resting and walking. After that, we come back to Quito.
We arrive in Quito.