Cotopaxi Volcano

Cotopaxi Volcano Day Tour

From: 7 am To: 5 pm

Meeting Point: quito - plaza foch

Cotopaxi is an active strato volcano in the andes mountains, located in the latacunga canton of cotopaxi province, about 50 km (31 mi) south of quito, and 33 km (21 mi) northeast of the city of latacunga, ecuador, in south america. it is the second highest summit in ecuador, reaching a height of 5,897 m (19,347 ft). it is one of the world's highest volcanoes.

On a clear day, cotopaxi is clearly visible on the skyline from quito and is part of the chain of volcanoes around the pacific plate known as the pacific ring of fire. it has an almost symmetrical cone that rises from a highland plain of about 3,800 metres (12,500 ft), with a width at its base of about 23 kilometres (14 mi). it has one of the few equatorial glaciers in the world, which starts at the height of 5,000 metres (16,400 ft). at its summit, cotopaxi has an 800 x 550 m wide crater which is 250 m deep. the crater consists of two concentric crater rims, the outer one being partly free of snow and irregular in shape. the crater interior is covered with ice cornices and rather flat. the highest point is on the outer rim of the crater on the north side.

Highlights

Travel through the amazing landscape of the avenue of the volcanoes towards cotopaxi volcano, hike on the second highest peak in ecuador and one of the world’s highest active volcanoes, enjoy stunning scenery, crisp mountain air at cotopaxi national park at a short drive from quito, step into the paramo biodiversity at limpiopungo lagoon, climb up to the glaciers (depends on weather conditions), enjoy an optional horseback ride or biking adventure on the ladders of cotopaxi volcano.

What to bring & To use:

Comfortable and warm clothes, hiking shoes, hat, waterproof jacket, hat or cap with visor, gloves and ,sunscreen, extra pair of shoes and socks, sunglasses, walking stick binoculars, camera.