Cotopaxi National Park and Quilotoa Lagoon Day Tour from Quito

Cotopaxi Volcano

Cotopaxi rises 5,897 metres above sea level and is one of the highest active volcanoes on Earth. Its almost perfect snow-capped cone dominates the Avenue of the Volcanoes south of Quito, and in Kichwa tradition it is a sacred guardian of the Andes; its name is often translated as the neck of the moon. The volcano has erupted many times in recorded history, most recently with ash emissions in 2015, and it is closely monitored by scientists.

On this Cotopaxi day trip from Quito you drive about 80 minutes to reach the park and then continue on a dirt road towards the base of the volcano. Here the guide leads a traditional Andean dance with native music, and you have time to photograph the glaciers when the sky is clear. The best views usually come in the morning, before clouds gather around the summit.

Cotopaxi National Park and the Andean Welcome

Cotopaxi National Park was created in 1975 and protects more than 30,000 hectares of high Andean grassland, known as páramo, around the volcano and its neighbours Rumiñahui and Sincholagua. The páramo is a cold, windswept ecosystem of tufted grasses, cushion plants and small flowers that stores water for the cities below. Wild horses graze on the plains, and visitors may see Andean foxes, white-tailed deer, Andean gulls and, with luck, the Andean condor.

Just outside the entrance, a native guide greets the group with ceremonial chants, asking Pachamama, Mother Earth, for permission to enter. It is a short and moving introduction to Andean spirituality. A warm herbal tea that helps with the altitude is offered at extra cost. Entry to the park is included, and the guide explains the landscape, the wildlife and the volcano's history as you drive through.

Limpiopungo Lagoon

Limpiopungo is a shallow glacial lagoon lying at about 3,800 metres on the plain between Cotopaxi and Rumiñahui. Reeds and grasses line its shores, and on calm mornings the water reflects the white cone of Cotopaxi, one of the most photographed views in Ecuador. The lagoon is a favourite place for birds, including Andean gulls, ducks and coots, and wild horses often feed nearby.

The group follows a gentle, mostly flat path around part of the lagoon for about an hour. The walk is suitable for most travellers, including families, but remember that you are at high altitude: walk slowly, drink water and wear warm layers, a hat and sunscreen, as the sun is strong and the wind can be cold. This is a peaceful stop that balances the drama of the volcano with the quiet of the páramo.

Quilotoa Crater Lake

Quilotoa is a volcanic caldera in the western Andes of Cotopaxi province, formed when the volcano collapsed after a huge eruption about 800 years ago. Today the crater, roughly 3 kilometres wide, holds a deep lake whose colour shifts between emerald, turquoise and green with the light and the minerals in the water. The rim stands at nearly 3,900 metres, and the view from the edge is breathtaking.

After about 2 hours on the road from Cotopaxi, you arrive at the Quilotoa viewpoint, where entry is included. At a cosy restaurant with a view over the crater you enjoy homemade empanadas and a warm drink, a welcome snack in the mountain air. Is Quilotoa worth visiting? For most travellers it is the most memorable sight of the day, and the light in the afternoon makes the water glow.

Walking the Quilotoa Rim

After the break the group walks along the edge of the crater, following a sandy trail with natural photo spots over the lake. Some viewpoints along the rim charge a small fee and are optional. The trail can be dusty and steep in places, so hiking shoes are a good idea; you can walk as far as you are comfortable and turn back at any time.

In the small community at the rim, Kichwa families sell handmade crafts, alpaca wool scarves and colourful paintings in the naive style of the nearby village of Tigua. Alpacas are sometimes brought to the viewpoint, and photos with them are paid separately. With about 2 hours at Quilotoa in total, there is time to shop, walk and simply take in the view before the drive back to Quito in the evening.