Travel Guide Parque Nacional Cotopaxi
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Second highest peak in Ecuador (5,897 m) after Chimborazo (6,310 m), Cotopaxi is above all the highest active volcano in the world and the most visited peak in the country. Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the natives considered it a sacred place. Its name means "neck of the moon" in the indigenous language. The nearest big cities to Cotopaxi are Quito, Latacunga and Riobamba. It is 40 km southeast of Quito and 35 km northeast of Latacunga. It dominates the Cotopaxi National Park, which is a protected ecological reserve. It was first climbed on November 28, 1872 by Angel Escobar, a Colombian, and Wilhem Reiss, a German. Since then, many visitors have set out to climb its steep slopes. A ten-kilometre trail leads to the refuge's parking lot (4,600 m) and from there, visitors generally begin the ascent (stopping most often at the refuge, which is based at 4,800 m). This volcano is well worth the trip. You can stay in one of the nearby lodgings, a few kilometers from the park entrance (except for Tombopaxi, which is located within the reserve).
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