Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador

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Cotopaxi National Park

Our driver Jose picked us up at 8:30, bags and all we set off for Cotopaxi National Park.

The drive was of course 1st out of the city and then along the Pan-American Highway. Which I should add is a very impressive road. In the distance we could see the mountains and volcanos.

We turned towards the national park and the scenery soon became spectacular. Passing fir trees Jose explained that they are an invasive species 1st introduced from Australia. They are now grown for the logging industry. The firs destroy the land where they grow as nothing will grow under them and the earth is ruined from their needles.

We stopped at the park entrance station. There we had a look at the information about Cotopaxi and the surrounding area of Andean grasslands, called Paramo.

We enjoyed a hot drink, l had a Cacoa tea which helps with the altitude as we were steadily climbing higher.

After which we headed for a walk along the nearby the station parkway, to see how the altitude was affecting us. Other than being a little breathless I felt fine. Funnily I was most affected when taking photos, as I tend to hold my breath when shooting photos. (Steadies the camera).

John felt fine, basically like normal. Jose pointed out the differing plants and some of the distant scenery.

Back at the car we set off to climb Cotopaxi. I was under the impression we would not take long to get there, I had no idea how high up we were going to drive.

The scenery gradually changed, but remained wonderful. The clouds drifted across, as we were truly in the clouds.

The soils were the dark of the volcanic area, but in some places there were streaks of red. The Andean grasslands, called paramo were seas of differing greens that seemed to sway in the winds.

Cotopaxi emerged from the clouds, such an awe inspiring sight. Closer and closer we got but still so far to go.

Round and round the bends the road went, up and up we went, it really felt like the top of the world, like we were driving over the edge of the horizon.

Arriving at the snow line we continued past patches of snow up the steep lava gravel of the roadway onto a very high car park.

Jose made me aware of the strong winds blowing and to hold tightly onto the car door so as it would not blow off. And I can honestly say it was difficult to open the door and hang on to it. The wind was that strong I felt like I could be blown away. Plus the clouds were making everything damp and so even colder……

Plus, it was FREEZING! I could not face the direction the wind was coming from as the cold wind was painful! It burned my eyes and whipped my face.

As for walking, that was difficult! We had the option to walk up to the volcano refuge, which we could see through the cloud,

but it was an hour away and with the weather conditions that day we just walked around the immediate area. Which actually was fine as what there was to see was the view before you.

Photos just do not do justice to the dramatic view from 15,250 feet. It was awesome looking out, just as if you were on top of the world, above the clouds at times. Up where the condors fly.

On our way down the mountain we were surprised by an Andean fox otherwise know as a Paramo wolf. Its true name is the Culpeo zorro. It is not a true fox but more closely related to a wolf.

It was right in the road scavenging. Jose said that sadly tourists who don’t know better feed these animals and they then end up scavenging. It was such a pretty red furred wolf/fox and didn’t seem phased by us.

Further down the lane Jose stopped to show me the different flowers. I had been questioning him about all the differing colourful ones I could see. So Jose stopped the car and said come along let’s check out the flowers, get some photos and maybe find something special.

There were the beautiful blue Lupins, the lovely orange Chuquiragua also know as the flower of the Andes, which is also the national flower of Ecuador.

Jose spotted the Ecuadorian Hillstar hummingbird on the Chuquiragua. These hummingbirds are only found in this high terrain and the only hummingbird adapted to feed on the Chuquiragua, thus it pollinates these flowers.

I was and am so very thankful for having drivers/guides who knew all about everything we asked about, plus all the more for the knowledge they shared.

Lunch was at a small hostel restaurant situated in the same Cotopaxi park, El Gran Volcan.

A quiet, outpost where guests stay, can hike and enjoy their surroundings. Lunch was a cooked meal of chicken with rice and salad for me. I was that hungry due to the cold that I ate nearly all of it.

Our next stop was the picturesque Limpioungo Lake.

Back in the car we looked out at the amazing scenery and for wildlife …. we saw a deer. And horses!

Once parked we followed a trail that wound around half of the lake. The scenery was astounding, the colors always changing due to the sun and clouds shifting with the wind.

There were water birds nesting and high above Jose pointed out condors soaring the thermocline.

I think it was the sheer size of our surroundings that really struck me. You realize that you are just so insignificant.

After quite a few stops to enjoy the views we reached a small lookout, I of course took more photos, and we headed back.

La Cienega Laso

We enjoyed another scenic drive before arriving at our hacienda, La Cienega Laso, where we were staying for the night. Both of us were blown away by our accommodation, it was amazing.

The architecture was old world Spanish colonial, built in 1695, our room was massive and the grounds are incredible.

The very old eucalyptus trees that line the driveway create an impressive 1st impression.

The walls of the house were built of volcanic stone cut from the surrounding area and are incredibly thick. The house has a colourful past and has been the scene of important historic events. It is known as one of the premiere stately houses of Ecuador.