Cotopaxi Volcano
Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world (5,897 meters above sea level). It is located 50 km from the city of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, on the territory of the national park of the same name. About 70 years ago, local residents suffered disasters from powerful eruptions from its vent. Now the volcano is dormant, and only from time to time there are emissions of sulfur or water vapor. The first European to conquer the peak is considered to be Wilheim Reis, a German geologist who organized an expedition to the Andes in 1872.
Video: Cotopaxi Volcano
General Information
The summit of Cotopahi is also notable for being formed by two craters, an older outer crater and a younger inner crater, both shaped like an almost perfect circle.
.Tourists traveling the road to Cotopaxi see the majestic peaks of the Andes lined up in a chain. Each such mountain has its own flora and unique fauna. Only in the valley and on the slopes live about a hundred species of various birds. If you walk around the national park without hurry, you can hear the most amazing bird voices.
.The rich nature of these places and the properly conical shape of the crater attract not only vacationers, climbers from all over the world, but also famous photographers. The snow-covered peaks and western slopes, constantly covered with clouds, create wonderful panoramic views every day. At the top of the mountain are two perfectly round surfaces of a volcanic vent.
The volcano’s turbulent past
The stunning scenery has not always pleased those around it, with the years 1742, 1744, 1768 and 1877 being chronicled as dates of powerful eruptions of lava, mud, pumice and rock. At the time of these cataclysms, the Cotopaxi volcano brought great destruction and devastation from fire in the valleys of the Andes for distances of hundreds of kilometers. Since 1738, Cotopaxi has erupted about 50 times. Now in a dream state, the peak is sheltered by snow even when it’s a hot equatorial summer. It is often compared to the popular Japanese tourist attraction, Mount Fuji. For Ecuador, it is also a national symbol, invariably appearing in all geographic photographs.
.Tourists
Walkers will enjoy walking along the “Avenue of Volcanoes,” a road surrounded by mountain peaks and rare plants. In the western part of the mountains is a forest in the “clouds”, where, thanks to the steep slopes, the sun shines even the thickest thickets and inhabit uncharacteristic for this climate representatives of the world of flora and fauna. Here you can see the famous miniature hummingbird, Andean chibis, deer, wild horses and domestic llamas.
The equipment of mountain trails in Cotopaxi Park is at a high level – on the way to the summit there is a place to rest and overnight, camping at the foot and the possibility to camp along any of the roads. Climbing can be done with the help of a professional guide, taking everything you need from the things at the base. Along the roads and beautiful lakes there are tracks for tourists who prefer mountain biking. For a small fee, travelers can walk through the park on horseback.
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