Cara norte del Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi National Park is a protected area located in the Central Sierra, near the eastern flank of the Andes , this huge volcano has the world’s highest glacier: «Cotopaxi», as well as the Rumiñahui Volcano. Its main attraction is the volcano that gives it its name. We have inside the recreation area «El Boliche» beautiful lagoons, ancient ruins and countless flora and fauna.

Created: August 11, 1975

Extension: 32,255 hectares.

Climate: between 9 and 11 ° C, extreme absolute 0 and 22 ° C Hydrography the Cutuchi river, the San Pedro River, the Pita river, the Pedregal river, the river Tamboyacu and Tambo river. Vegetation types: grass páramo, azonal superpáramo and superpáramo or gelidiofitia Flora: the sigse, chub deer, SISAN, herbs, Valeriana pilosa, mosses, lichens, among others.

Fauna: wolves, cougars, bears, rabbits, condors, wild horses, foxes and 37 types of birds.

How can we get there ?: The park is located 60 km from the city of Quito, from which you must use the South Pan American Highway to the entrance to the site called El Caspi; the same route to reach the cities of Latacunga (30 km) and Ambato (70 km).

VOLCANO COTOPAXI

Cotopaxi is the highest and most perfect conical volcano in the world that has icecap. It’s first ascent to the summit was conducted in 1872 by the German geologist Wilhelm Reiss and his butler Angel Escobar. Etymologically Cotopaxi is a Quichua word that means: Coto = «neck» Phaxi = «moon» this is because on full moon nights, from different places, you can see the moon live on the summit and the icecap seems t be the white neck f the moon.

Type: stratovolcano

Altitude: 5897 m.

Last eruption: August 2015

Status: Active

Summit ascent: To make the summit of the volcano, you need a specialized guide in mountaineering.

Ask for our next tour to Cotopaxi
Email: info1@patriciotisalema.com

Source: Ministerio del Ambiente del Ecuador (MAE)