Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
highest peak and is purported to be the highest active volcano in the
world. There are several other peaks within the park as well, includ-
ing 15,408-foot Rumiñahui .
The land itself is what draws people here, punctuated by the photoge-
nic Cotopaxi Volcano. The wide-open, lunar-like landscape, with an-
cient lava flows, is all encompassing. It is a testament to Cotopaxi's
power as an unimaginable natural force, destroying nearby towns
and villages several times in the last three centuries. Now, the
páramo vegetation reflects a tundra life zone, more than one would
expect near the equator, with wind-swept grassy vegetation known
as pajonales . Thicker intermittent bushes and shrubs provide shelter
to numerous bird species and mammals. Highlights include the An-
dean hillstar, lapwing, carunculated caracara, the renowned condor,
the puma (or mountain lion), rabbit, deer and Andean wolf (really a
fox).
Options for adventure within Cotopaxi National Park are unlimited.
The park is ideal for the avid mountaineer and offers countless miles
of hiking, trekking, andmountain-biking trails (see Adventures , page
168). Whether you take a light stroll through the páramo grasslands
around Lago Limpiopungo , climb to the summit of Cotopaxi Vol-
cano , or trek around the volcano for a week or more, Cotopaxi will lit-
erally take your breath away. Weekdays are best for avoiding the
crowds. February through May is quite cool and wet, although not to
the detriment of sightseeing and other short excursions.
Chimborazo Reserve & Volcano
From Ambato, the Pan-American Highway continues south through
Riobamba and into the Southern Highlands. To the west of the high-
way lies the staggeringmass of Chimborazo Volcano. Ecuador's high-
est mountain and one of the taller peaks in all of the Americas,
Chimborazo tops out at 20,634 feet.
For all of you trivia buffs, the summit of
Chimborazo is farther from the center of the
earth than any other point of land on the
planet, the result of our ever-spinning planet
and the resulting equatorial bulge.
It is difficult to comprehend how magnificent this behemoth is until
you venture close to it. From Ambato, take Route 50 through
Guaranda. After about an hour, turn left at the abandoned white
house on a dirt road that leads to the refuge. From Riobamba, head
Search WWH ::




Custom Search