Africa
Americas
Asia
Europe
Oceania
Call us for free now
Book with an expert:
+44 20 76 60 34 10
Prefer us to call you? Drop your number in the box:
Call us anytime. 24/7
What to see in Ecuador
Cotopaxi National Park
Tourist attractions Cotopaxi National Park
Situated just 50 kilometres south of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, Cotopaxi National Park is a stunning protected area, home to the towering Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. On a clear day, the snow-capped volcano can be seen from Quito, but a trip to Cotopaxi National Park offers more than just stunning views of the volcano, which last erupted in 2015.
Home to glistening lakes, wild horses and pristine grasslands, it’s the perfect place to appreciate the natural landscapes of Ecuador. If you travel to the Cotopaxi National Park you can hike, trek and bike through the protected eco-system in the shadow of the perfectly cone-shaped Cotopaxi Volcano, its peak reaching a staggering 5,897 metres above sea level. It is one of the most popular highlights on a tour of Ecuador.
If you visit Cotopaxi, you’ll be awe-struck by how the mostly flat terrain gives way to the towering volcano, seemingly emerging out of the earth from nowhere. As you explore the immaculate landscapes, be sure to keep a lookout for the diverse native wildlife, including wolves, pumas, the famous Andean condor, bears, foxes and plenty of wild horses. Cotopaxi National Park also boasts an array of unique flora and plant species, which thrive in this cold, humid climate.
The best time of year to visit Cotopaxi National Park is between July and October. At this time of year, you can enjoy clear skies which grant visitors unparalleled views of the mighty Cotopaxi Volcano.
Things to do in Cotopaxi National Park
Although the Cotopaxi Volcano is the most popular thing to see in Cotopaxi National Park, there are many other highlights to enjoy. Hiking around Laguna Limpiopungo is one of the more accessible things to do in Cotopaxi National Park. Laguna Limpiopungo is a seasonal lake that swells during the rainy season, conveniently located close to the entrance of the national park. The relatively easy 1.5-kilometre hike offers plenty of opportunities to experience the local wildlife. See nesting Andean gulls, tiny rabbits and hummingbirds as you pass around the glistening shoreline. If the weather is clear, you’ll be treated to a beautiful reflection of the Cotopaxi Volcano in the still waters of the lake.
For something more adventurous, one of the more challenging things to do in Cotopaxi National Park is to hike to the Jose F. Rivas Refugio, the starting point of the trail to the summit of the Cotopaxi Volcano. At 4,500 metres above sea level, it is a strenuous undertaking, but those who reach the refuge are rewarded with spectacular views across the Andean landscape.
If you’d rather stick to flat terrain, a bike tour is a great way to admire the natural grasslands and stunning scenery of the park whilst covering more ground than you would on foot. There are plenty of companies that hire bicycles and e-bicycles in the Cotopaxi National Park. Alternatively, for a slower-paced adventure, horseback riding is a relaxing way to discover the park and get in touch with nature.
OUR BEST TRIPS TO COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK
YOU ALSO LIKE
Tourist attractions ecuador
Amazon
Avenue of the Volcanoes
Banos
Baquerizo Moreno
Cotopaxi National Park
Cuenca
Galapagos Islands
Guayaquil
La Loberia Beach
Middle of the World Monument
Mindo
Otavalo
Pailon del Diablo Waterfall
Papallacta Hot Springs
Quilotoa
Quito
Riobamba
Ruins of Ingapirca
San Cristobal Island
Santa Cruz Island
The Devil's Nose
Points of interests
- Trips to Amazon
- Trips to Banos
- Trips to Baquerizo Moreno
- Trips to Cotopaxi National Park
- Trips to Cuenca
- Trips to Galapagos Islands
- Trips to Guayaquil
- Trips to La Loberia Beach
- Trips to Middle of the World Monument
- Trips to Mindo
- Trips to Otavalo
- Trips to Quilotoa
- Trips to Quito
- Trips to Riobamba
- Trips to Ruins of Ingapirca
- Trips to San Cristobal Island
- Trips to Santa Cruz Island
- Trips to The Devil's Nose
Other Points of interests
- Trips to Aguas Calientes
- Trips to Arequipa
- Trips to Argentinian Patagonia
- Trips to Atacama Desert
- Trips to Bariloche
- Trips to Barrio La Boca
- Trips to Bogota
- Trips to Buenos Aires
- Trips to Buzios
- Trips to Cartagena de Indias
- Trips to Chilean Patagonia
- Trips to Christ the Redeemer
- Trips to Colca Canyon
- Trips to Copacabana Beach
- Trips to Cusco
- Trips to Easter Island
- Trips to Eduardo Avaroa
- Trips to El Calafate
- Trips to Getsemani
- Trips to Iguazu Falls
- Trips to Iguazu Falls
- Trips to Ilha Grande
- Trips to Iquitos
- Trips to Islas Ballestas
- Trips to Islas del Rosario
- Trips to La Candelaria
- Trips to La Paz
- Trips to Lake Titicaca
- Trips to Lake Titicaca
- Trips to Lima
- Trips to Luna Valley
- Trips to Machu Picchu
- Trips to Manaus
- Trips to Medellín
- Trips to Mendoza
- Trips to Nazca
- Trips to Paraty
- Trips to Perito Moreno
- Trips to Potosi & Cerro Rico
- Trips to Praia do Forte
- Trips to Puerto Maldonado
- Trips to Puerto Natales
- Trips to Rapa Nui National Park
- Trips to Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos
- Trips to Rio de Janeiro
- Trips to Sacred Valley
- Trips to Salar de Uyuni
- Trips to Salvador
- Trips to San Andrés
- Trips to San Felipe de Barajas Castle
- Trips to San Pedro de Atacama
- Trips to San Rafael Glacier
- Trips to San Telmo
- Trips to Santa Lucía Hill
- Trips to Santa Marta
- Trips to Santiago de Chile
- Trips to São Paulo
- Trips to Serrano & Balmaceda Glaciers
- Trips to Sucre
- Trips to Tayrona
- Trips to Tiahuanaco Ruins
- Trips to Torres del Paine National Park
- Trips to Ushuaia
- Trips to Valley of the Moon
- Trips to Valparaiso
- Trips to Vicente Perez Rosales National Park
- Trips to Viña del Mar
Countries Nearby
Subscribe to our newsletter and join Exoticca GO
The best travel deals
Exclusive promotions
Expert travel tips