Safari in Cotopaxi

a wide range of exciting activities

The dramatic valley that runs for over 300 km (180 miles) along the top of the Andes between Quito and Cuenca is lined either side by a string of often snow-capped volcanoes.

Around 1802 the route that leads through this valley was referred to by German scientist and explorer, Alexander von Humboldt, as “The Avenue of the Volcanoes”.

The name has stuck and these days travel companies promote the journey as an essential part of a trip to Ecuador. Whilst we are not totally against this idea, we generally find that focusing on certain key locations within the country tends to deliver a better overall experience than simply driving along a busy main road through such a densely populated area.

Cotopaxi

One of the most impressive and most accessible of the stunning peaks in this area is Cotopaxi. With its classic cone-shape and snow-capped upper slopes, this is the second highest active volcano in the world, reaching an impressive 5987 metres (19642’).

The volcano is encompassed by a relatively small 334 square kilometre (128 square mile) national park, but is surrounded by a vast wilderness of uninhabited high altitude landscapes.

A cluster of accommodation options lie in the farmland to the north and a few more in the main central valley to the west. These lodges can be used as bases from which to explore this wilderness on foot, on horse-back or on mountain bikes.

Two substantial roads climb up from these two areas, passing through the national park entry gates and rising up to meet on the open steppe, before climbing southward to terminate at the foot of the upper slopes of Cotopaxi. A little way past this road head there is a simple refuge, where climbers overnight before attempting the summit.

In all honesty Cotopaxi can get a little busy these days, by local standards at least. The area remains strong for serious multiple-day outdoor activity and for the iconic summit ascent, but for more general sight-seeing, day hikes and horse-rides there may be better options.

The best time to visit Cotopaxi is generally considered to be during the Jun-Sep dry season.

Cotopaxi has a subtropical highland climate. Temperatures are almost constant year round, with the two seasons being largely defined by the variation in rainfall.

During the Jun-Sep dry season conditions are usually warm and dry, with lots of sunshine. Average daytime temperatures usually reach around 21C/70F, with night time lows holding up around 16C/61F. Rainfall is relatively low, at around 25mm (1”) per month. Sunshine is up around 8 hours per day, which is around 70% of daylight hours.

During the Oct-May rainy season conditions are usually warm and wet, with more overcast skies. Average daytime temperatures usually reach around 21C/70F, with nighttime lows holding up around 16C/61F. Rainfall is relatively high, at around 100mm (4”) per month, rising to 175mm (7”) in Mar-Apr. Sunshine drops to around 6 hours per day, which is around 50% of daylight hours, but can be considerably lower during that core Mar-Apr period.

Getting there

Cotopaxi is located around 80 km (50 miles) south of the capital Quito and can be reached by road in about 90 minutes, depending on the traffic coming out of the city.

More extensive road trips around Ecuador may continue south down the so-called Avenue of the Volcanoes, via Riobamba and Cuenca, before heading down to Guayaquil on the coastal plateau and connecting by air to Galapagos.

Where to stay

There are a handful of decent lodges in the Cotopaxi area, each with their own particular appeal and range of activities …

If you are seriously into outdoor activities like hiking, trekking, mountain-climbing, mountain-biking and horse-back riding, then Hacienda El Porvenir is perhaps the best option.

If you are more focused on horse-riding, then the family-owned Hacienda La Alegria is a fabulous and relatively upmarket option, which also offers week-long horse trails into the surrounding mountains.

If you are looking to explore the great outdoors, but perhaps without the same hardcore edge offered by the other properties, then the incredibly historic and very comfortable Hacienda San Agustin de Callo is definitely worth a closer look.

easily accessed by road from Quito