Visit this national park to discover an active volcano, explore mountain forests and Andean tundra, and say “hola” to a llama.
Cotopaxi National Park is a vast protected area of Andean highlands and páramo (alpine neo-tropical tundra) southeast of Quito. The park surrounds the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano that looms above the parkland’s valleys, rivers and lagoons. Visit Cotopaxi National Park for breathtaking natural scenery, hiking, mountain biking, camping and horseback riding.
Marvel at the 19,347-foot (5,897-meter) Cotopaxi Volcano, which the Incas named “neck of the moon.” This snowcapped volcano has a long history of violent eruptions, with the last eruption reportedly occurring in 1940. The volcano remains active, but this does not stop the many serious climbers from attempting to scale its glaciers each year. Fortunately, there are plenty of other ways to explore and enjoy the landscape at Cotopaxi.
Make reservations with a reliable tour operator in Quito for exciting day trips, hikes and other excursions to the Cotopaxi, Pichincha and Napo provinces, as well as three other volcanoes located nearby. Explore the park on foot to enjoy its natural beauty at your own pace. Discover the stunning flora and fauna that thrives here. The park is home to several native páramo plant species, as well as pumas, llamas, marsupial mice, Andean wolves and deer.
Head to the small museum and visitor center in Cotopaxi and learn about the park’s fascinating wildlife and history. Find stories from the indigenous Ecuadorians, specimens of native animals and a relief map of the volcano. The museum and many of the hikes and activities are located at 14,764 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level, so prepare yourself for some lightheadedness and possible altitude sickness as you acclimatize.
Cotopaxi National Park is located just 32.9 miles (53 kilometers) southeast of Quito. A small fee applies for admission to the park and specialized tours and day trips charge individual fees. Tours vary in price depending on the activities involved, the size of the group, and whether or not meals or overnight stays are included. The climate is best suited for outdoor activities from December through April.
