Cotopaxi National Park

Cotopaxi National Park

Cotopaxi is an active stratovolcano in the Andes Mountains, located in the Latacunga canton of Cotopaxi Province, about 50 km (31 mi) south of Quito, and 33 km (21 mi) northeast of the city of Latacunga, Ecuador, in South America. It is the second highest summit in Ecuador, reaching a height of 5,897 m (19,347 ft). It is one of the world’s highest volcanoes.

Since 1738, Cotopaxi has erupted more than 50 times, resulting in the creation of numerous valleys formed by lahars (mudflows) around the volcano. The last eruption lasted from August 2015 to January 2016.[6] Cotopaxi had been officially closed for climbing by authorities until it reopened on October 7, 2017.

Many sources claim that Cotopaxi means shining pile or mountain in an indigenous language, but this is unproven. The mountain was honored as a "Sacred Mountain" by local Andean people, even before the Inca invasion in the 15th century. It was worshiped as “rain sender”, that served as the guarantor of the land's fertility, and at the same time its summit was revered as a place where gods lived.

Activities:
• Photography
• Hiking to shelter camp
• Biking (optional&extra)
• Visit to CotopaxiPungo (horsing optional&extra)
• Visit to Limpiopungo Lake