Cotopaxi National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Cotopaxi) is a protected area in Ecuador situated in the Cotopaxi, Napo and Pichincha Provinces, roughly 50 km south of Quito.

Due to its perfectly symmetrical cone,  covered in a thick blanket of snow and ice, the Cotopaxi is one of the  tourist highlights in Ecuador and it’s most visited and climbed volcano.  The Cotopaxi National Park is situated in a beautiful paramo plateau,  where wild horses graze on the extensive plains at the foot of the  volcano or gather to drink at the lovely Limpiopungo lagoon, which  reflects the white peaks of nearby Volcan Rumiñahui and makes a great  spot for watching waterfowl and other birds.

Walking in the National Park, you will  notice pumice, ash, stone and other volcanic debris amid the tiny  páramos plants. On a day trip to the Cotopaxi National Park it is  possible to drive as high as 4500m, then trek up a sandy scree slope to  reach the snout of the glacier at 5000m.

Prepare to hike, bike and smile.  Trekking for all ages but biking must be experienced or confident with downhill biking.