Cotopaxi rises in a steeply symmetrical glacier-capped cone to 19.460 feet (5,897 meters) and is Ecuador’s second-highest mountain and its highest active volcano.

Limpiopungo Lake is also located in the park. And nearby we will find two wonderful Indian markets in the tiny villages of Saquisilí and Pujilí. These markets are as authentic and non-tourist as you can find in Ecuador today, and are important for the local indigenous people as they form the center of their social and economic worlds.

Here you will find all find of fruit, yarns, ropes, ceramics, heaps of used clothing, pails and stacks of shovels and axes for sale. Ceramics are particularly common in these markets as there is a lot of clay in the surrounding hills.

Saquisilí is located only a few kilometers west of the Pan-American Highway, just south of the town of Guaytacama, while Pujilí is about 10 kilometers west of the city of Latacunga. Markets days held on Wednesdays and Sundays in Pujilí and Thursdays in Saquisili.

*Climbing
*Community Encounters
*Cultural Experiences

US$ 395 ( 2 passengers) Price depends on group size

* Bilingual naturalist guide

* Private transportation

* Accommodation

* Entrance fee to Cotopaxi National Park

* All meals

For Quito and the other highland cities, wear comfortable springtime clothing during the day and a

sweater or coat during the evening. For the highlands and moorlands (páramos), warm, winter-like

clothing is essential. If you have a dinner our a semiformal, attire is advised

Day 1

Early in the morning, we drive south from Quito through the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Cotopaxi National Park. We will visit Cotopaxi Interpretation Center to learn about the history of its major eruptions as well as the local flora and fauna. Later, we will go to Limpiopungo lake and surroundings where excellent views of Cotopaxi, Sincholagua and Rumiñahui volcanoes can be seen. After 2 hours trekking, we will arrive at Cotopaxi’s J. Ribas refuge(4,800 m) where you will have a nice view of the volcano and the Andes. Lunch will be provided


Day 2

After breakfast, we will leave in the morning to visit a local Indian market or do a hike around the area. Afternoon drive back to Quito.

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