Cotopaxi

The area south of Quito includes many of Ecuador's most famous and amazing mountains, as well as a few active volcanos. Tungurahua, near Baños, has erupted three times in the past 12 years, but most of them have been silent for a long time. The signs of their activity are easily visible.

One of the most striking features of the majority of the mountains, and volcanoes, is they have neither snow and often don't even have snow line. Vegetation grows here at well over 3,500 meters.

That is not the case with the stunning Volcan Cotopaxi, the focal point of the Parque Nacional Cotopaxi. One of the world's highest active volcanoes at nearly 6,000 meters, it is gorgeous with a clear view though clouds almost always seems to obscure at least a bit of it. The area around is high plains, with mostly tall grasses though some pine trees manage to survive up to the gates of the national park.

Volcan Cotopaxi, with llama

Volcan Cotopaxi, without llama

From the entrance it is quite a hike just up to the bottom of the glacier, with winds quite chilly whipping through clothes. Very few attempt to go beyond the base of the glacier.

Sunset and early in the morning were about the only times the clouds cleared

The area surrounding the national park is mostly grazing land and only accessible through bumpy, 20-km cobblestone road from Machachi, the nearest town. Sheep, cows and llamas are the majority of the large livestock, with chickens and roosters also living in the area.

The view from the entrance to the National Park. The paths cut by the lava are visible.

These llamas were often kept in fields with sheep and cows, often with the purpose of providing protection for the other animals. In many cases their wool is not even used.