COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK AND QUILOTOA CRATER LAKE

(2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT)

 

Cotopaxi (5.897m)

Drive along the Panamericana highway well known as “The Volcanoes Avenue” towards the world’s highest active volcano, Cotopaxi (5,897 meters). Afterwards visit a local Indian market and drive towards the Quilotoa Crater Lake, while enjoying the impressive and picturesque landscape.

 

This amazing lake was formed in the crater of a Volcano, and if desired it is possible to hike downhill in order to practice some adventure sports such us horseback riding and lake kayaking.

 

 

The still active volcano Cotopaxi (indigenous: neck of the moon) is the most popular mountain in South America and is situated in the homonymous national park.
The mountain is characterized by quite stable weather conditions, which makes it accessible all year round.

 

 

 

Laguna Quilotoa

 

Quilotoa is a tourist site of growing popularity. The route to the "summit" is generally traveled by hired truck from the nearby town of Zumbahua.

 

Is a water-filled caldera and the westernmost volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. The 3 km (2 mi) wide caldera was formed by the collapse of this volcano.

 

The caldera has since accumulated a 250 m (820 ft) deep crater lake, which has a greenish color as a result of dissolved minerals. Fumaroles are found on the lake floor and hot springs occur on the eastern flank of the volcano.