The Wanderbus is not just a mode of transportation looping around Ecuador. There are times when the bus veers off the main route, in this case the Pan-American Highway, and acts as a tour bus while our English speaking guide provides commentary on a destination. Cotopaxi National Park is one example of this guided excursion off the main road.
Reaching Cotopaxi National Park without a car is very challenging. There is no public transportation into the park, leaving the only other alternative to rent a car, something I am not quite brave enough to do outside my own country. Otherwise, the only access to the park from the nearest town is by taxi to the tune of $25 to $30 one way. Taxis are cheap in Ecuador, so that gives you an idea of how far it is from town into the national park. After many hours of research, I had all but given up on being able to visit the park on my own, so to find out we would be entering the park for a tour, along with a stop to do some hiking came as great news!
The small country of Ecuador is home to 84 volcanoes. My brother Don loves volcanoes. Driving down the highway in the Wanderbus, I send a note back to him with the subject line, “Volcanoes, Volcanoes everywhere!” The country sits right along the “Ring of Fire,” a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where more than 75% of the world’s volcanoes are located. At 19,347 ft, Cotopaxi is not the highest of Ecuador’s volcanoes. That title belongs to Chimborazo at 20,560 ft, which due to the equatorial bulge of the planet, is the closest place on earth to the sun.
However, Cotopaxi is likely Ecuador’s most famous volcano for two reasons. One, it’s still active. The last major explosion was in 1905, with activity as recent as 2015, which sputtered ash and closed the climbing trails for weeks.
The second reason Cotopaxi is so well known is for its accessibility of climbing routes. While the climb is not considered “technical,” it does require the use of a harness, ropes, ice axes and crampons. Sounds pretty technical to me…
Our planned destination inside Cotopaxi National Park is Limpiopungo Lake, known to be one of the best places for viewing the Volcan Cotopaxi. However, our driver doesn’t leave this highly sought out view to chance. It’s a known fact that the later in the day, the less chance of seeing the elusive volcano through the cloud cover. So on the way to the park entrance when the clouds part, the driver literally pulls over on the Pan American Highway so we can all pile off the bus to grab a few photos.
After an invigorating walk to the back side of Limpiopungo Lake, we move on down the Pan American Highway to the small town of Pujilí for lunch in a local restaurant, three courses for a grand total of $2.75! (Since the year 2000, Ecuador has used the US dollar as their currency.) That’s another thing I appreciate about the Wanderbus, and that is their efforts to “keep it local.”
As the Wanderbus continues on around its circuit, climbing higher into the Andes, I’ll be “hopping off” at the next stop for a few days in Quilatoa, coming up next…
The “Like” button doesn’t begin to cover it! Wonderful, Terrific! Fabulous comes much closer. Life back here in Maryland is really pale compared to your current travels. We are preparing for the East Coast rally in June in Cape Charles, Virginia but, but…
Can’t wait for the next installment and whenever we get to visit with you again!
I totally agree Ed!
Me three!
Wowza. I’m not going to write much cause the last two long winded comments did not go through.
Suffice to say this is incredible. I laughed at the photo of the entrance to the park and noticed “orange cones” for directing the traffic! Gosh, those things are world wide!
We are in “HOT” mode here in SMA. All looking skyward watching for rain!
Such an amazing experience you are having. You are always giving the best information and pictures. You are so adventurous.
We are awestruck by the mountains. So happy you are doing this tour.
What a wonderful place to explore , sure looks like you are having a wonderful time.
Beautiful, so glad that you got to experience this park. I can’t believe that the meals are that cheap, the cost of living down there must be very reasonable.
I was salivating over the thought of the three course $2.75 meal! As much as I love your shots of flora and mountains and lakes (oh, my!) I sheepishly admit your food and drink photos are among my favs. 🙂
It appears you made the right decision taking the Wanderbus.
Cotopaxi is very impressive!
More gorgeous pics from your Central American adventure. Thanks for sharing, and have fun!!