In Ecuador, specifically within the Cotopaxi National Park is the Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. This elevation of 5,897 meters above sea level is located in the Andes mountains. At the foot of the volcano is located the lagoon of ‘Limpiopungo’, place where you can enjoy the view of the Andean moor as well as take pictures of the lagoon and the volcano.
Activities you can do in the Cotopaxi National Park
Visit the Limpiopungo lagoon
The Limpiopungo lagoon is located on the slopes of the Cotopaxi volcano. It has a path that surrounds it, where you can walk and admire from different angles the landscapes and the reflection of the volcano on its waters. The Limpiopungo lagoon is surely one of the most visited places in the Cotopaxi National Park. This place is ideal for landscape photography.
Visit to the Interpretation Center
All the information about the Cotopaxi National Park is available at the Interpretation Center, which is better known as the Museum of the National Park. It has showrooms, a souvenir shop and a cafeteria. The center is located inside Mariscal Sucre Station (Control Caspi entrance).
Walk to the Shelter ‘José Rivas’ (4,864 Msnm)
Since the seventies, this place has welcome mountaineers, professionals, and amateurs looking to know the Cotopaxi. Its name is in honor of the priest José Rivas, who built it with the Mountaineering Club of the San Gabriel School. The shelter is divided into two floors; in the first one are located the dining rooms and kitchens; and, in the second one, the bedrooms with bunk beds. In addition, the shelter has areas for camping and picnic. This place is located on the slopes of the volcano and an it is about an hour walk from the parking lot.
Lunch at Chuquiragua Lodge
With a beautiful view of the Ilinizas mountains, Chuquiragua Lodge welcomes visitors who are looking for a quiet stay inside warm rooms with rustic appearance. The inn is named after the flower of the moor ‘Chuquiragua’. This place is located two hours away from Quito and inside the Avenida de los Volcanes, which belongs to a part of the Andes mountain chain. In the place, typical dishes of the Ecuadorian central mountain range are offered.
How to arrive to Cotopaxi National Park?
Cotopaxi National Park is located 60 km from the city of Quito. Therefore, Quito Tour Bus offers people who wish to visit this wonderful destination a tour to the Cotopaxi National Park that lasts one day, and can be takenevery day. Click on Tour Cotopaxi for more information.
How much does this tour cost?
The tour to Cotopaxi National Park has a cost of 60 USD for adults (ecuadorian citizens and foreign passengers) and 40 USD for children up to 12-years-old, people over 65-years-old and people with disabilities. It will be necessary the presentation of identification cards.
The tour to the Cotopaxi National Park includes:
- Tourist transport
- Bilingual Guide (Spanish – English)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Naturalist Guide who will guide the group inside Cotopaxi National Park
- Entrance to the Cotopaxi National Park
The tour does not include:
- Unspecified details
- Tips
What to bring to the tour?
It is recommended that passengers wear a cap, gloves, scarf, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirt, thermal coat or sweater, and firm shoes that do not slip. Passengers should also carry candies and a camera. In addition, we suggest that passengers carry their passport to be sealed during the visit to the Interpretation Center (Museum of the Park).
General Indications
It is important to remember that to make this tour, passengers must be 15 minutes before the agreed time at the place of boarding.
In addition, you must book your ticket in advance. You can do so through a call to our offices: (593) 2435 458 / (593) 2458 010 / (593) 0983359796, or through online shopping directly on this page: Cotopaxi Tour from Quito