Cotopaxi National Park
General
The most important attraction of this national
park is the Cotopaxi volcano, at 19,350 feet
considered the highest active volcano in the
world. At the base of the mountain, the plain
and lagoon of Limpiopungo is an excellent
place to see the volcano and other nearby
mountains like Rumiñahui and Sincholagua.
Access
From Quito you can take south along the
Panamerican highway to Latacunga. Before
getting to this city there is a well-marked
entrance to the left that takes you to the Information center and to Limpiopungo.
Species
The most common mammals are white-tailed deer, paramo deer, paramo fox, puma, pudu,
weasel, rabbit and spectacle bear. The American falcon , white-headed buzzard eagle,
Andean gull, condor and the caracara are the most common bird species. An endangered
species of fish, the preñadilla, still survives in the park.
Plants
Trees and shrubs like the pumamaqui, romerillo, yagual and quishuar cover the lower
sections of the park. As you go higher, other species like chuquiragua, chocho and paramos
grasses appear. Close to the snow level, some lichens and mosses grow despite the strong
winds and low temperatures.
