Ecuador Cotopaxi National Park travel Briefkaart

Cotopaxi National Park rises dramatically in Ecuador’s Andean highlands, dominated by the snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes. Its symmetrical cone towers over rolling paramo grasslands, dotted with volcanic rocks, grazing horses, and winding trails. The light shifts quickly at high altitude, casting deep shadows on ridges and illuminating the crater with an otherworldly clarity. The park’s open landscapes and rugged terrain invite exploration and reflection. Visitors encounter streams, small lagoons, and occasional wild vicuñas against the backdrop of the volcanic slopes. Cotopaxi feels both raw and elemental—a place where geology, climate, and life converge in stark, breathtaking harmony.