Cotopaxi National Park

Information about the Cotopaxi National Park

The Cotopaxi volcano: an almost perfect snowy cone that stands at 5,897 meters above sea level is something unique on the planet and is perhaps, next to Galapagos, the greatest symbol of our natural geography recognized in the world.

The Cotopaxi National Park is a protected area of ​​Ecuador located in the Latacunga Canton in the Cotopaxi Province in Ecuador. Within the park and in the territory of the province of Cotopaxi is the snowy Volcano Cotopaxi.

The Park is located 60 km from the city of Quito, from which you must use the South Pan American Highway to enter the site called El Caspi; the same route communicates with the cities of Latacunga (30 km) and Ambato (70 km).

Its ecosystem is home to several tree species, especially pine trees, which makes the place a South American pinifer, as all Andean forests, cypress, pine, fir and ash species are essential.

The Cotopaxi National Park has 11 natural attractions and 6 cultural attractions. within its limits.

Cotopaxi National Park Lagoon. The Cotopaxi National Park houses many lake systems such as: Limpiopungo Lagoon, Santo Domingo Lagoon, Cajas Lagoons, Cajatamba Lagoon, Manantial (Ducks Lagoon) being the most representative Limpiopungo Lagoon.

Cotopaxi National Park and its characteristics

• Creation: August 11, 1975 Interministerial Agreement A-259 Official Registry August 27, 1975 R. O. No. 876
• Area: 32 255 ha
• Altitude range: 3 400–5 897 masl
• Vegetable formations: Pajonal wasteland, azonal superparamo and superparam or gelidiophyte Management Plan 1996
• Climate Average temperature: varies between 9 and 11 ° C, the absolute extremes are 0 and 22 ° C
• Precipitation 1000–2000 mm

Cotopaxi National Park natural attractions

• The lagoons (Limíopungo, Cajas, Santo Domingo, Cajatamba, Manantial,
• Waterfall (South Face Condor Huayco),
• Cotopaxi volcano
• Cave of the Owls

Cotopaxi national park cultural events

• Tambopaxi José Ribas Shelter
• Interpretation Center
• Cara Sur Shelter Restaurant
• Paja Blanca Hostel
• Pucara de Salitre Ethnography
• Chagra and Panzaleo culture
•  Lajas Stone Mine

Cotopaxi National Park How to get there?

• From Machachi: it is possible to enter the protected area, going to the Santa Ana neighborhood of El Pedregal, traveling between farms and enjoying the rural landscape for approx. 14 km, this area is defined as safe. Inside the park from the north control that is the closest to the attractions in a safe area you can visit the Limpiopungo lagoon and part of the Rumiñahui doing activities such as hiking, horseback riding, cycling and camping.

• From Latacunga and Quito: By the six-lane Pan-American Highway, which allows the trip from Quito to the park in approximately two hours and in one hour from Latacunga =. An alternative is the train, which also departs from Quito, and it takes an hour and a half to reach the park station.