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The iconic conical shape of Cotopaxi Volcano dominates the landscape with its snow-covered summit framed by open farmland and a clear blue sky

Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador

Rising dramatically above the Andean highlands, Cotopaxi National Park is one of Ecuador’s most iconic and awe-inspiring natural reserves. Dominated by the perfectly symmetrical snow-capped cone of Cotopaxi Volcano, this park is a showcase of raw volcanic beauty, diverse paramo ecosystems, and open grassland landscapes under ever-shifting skies. At an elevation of 19,347 feet, Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. Its white summit gleams year-round, contrasting strikingly with the red and gray tones of its exposed volcanic slopes. The volcano’s dramatic prominence and isolation make it visible from miles away, appearing both serene and formidable. The park covers approximately 33,400 hectares, offering visitors a mix of ecological zones ranging from Andean páramo (high-altitude grasslands) to rocky volcanic fields. Wildlife such as wild horses, Andean foxes, and condors roam freely. One of the park’s most tranquil features is Limpiopungo Lagoon, a shallow lake situated at the base of Cotopaxi. On clear days, the lagoon reflects the snow-capped volcano, creating one of the most photogenic vistas in Ecuador. Despite its calm appearance, Cotopaxi remains an active volcano, with its last significant eruptions occurring in the 19th and 21st centuries. Today, scientists closely monitor its activity, and visitor access to certain areas is regulated for safety.

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Cotopaxi Volcano stands tall with its glacier-covered peak contrasting against the green valley and large boulders in the foreground

Vast grassy plains and patches of low vegetation spread beneath Cotopaxi Volcano, partially hidden by low-lying clouds

A distant view of Cotopaxi’s neighboring mountains shows a rugged, volcanic landscape beneath a moody overcast sky

A dirt road leads directly toward the snow-capped Cotopaxi Volcano, with red mineral slopes and billowing clouds crowning the summit

The snowy peak of Cotopaxi Volcano appears through a gap in the clouds, surrounded by soft green slopes and highland grasses

Highland vegetation in Cotopaxi National Park spreads across a gentle plain with volcanic slopes and dark clouds looming in the distance

Broad, windswept grasslands stretch toward distant volcanic ridges under heavy skies in Cotopaxi National Park

A panoramic view of the Andean paramo shows rolling terrain and distant mountain ridges beneath a dramatic, cloud-filled sky

Snow-capped Cotopaxi Volcano rises above a sparse alpine plain with tufts of grass under a sky filled with dramatic cloud formations

The snowcapped Cotopaxi volcano is framed by sweeping green plains under a vibrant blue sky with clouds

Large volcanic boulders and red soil dot the vibrant green terrain below Cotopaxi’s towering white peak

Snow-covered Cotopaxi volcano rises above a dry, rocky foreground under a thick blanket of clouds

The iconic Cotopaxi volcano towers over lush green fields and low vegetation beneath dramatic clouds

Cotopaxi’s snowy summit peaks through the clouds above a barren, high-altitude plain in the national park

Dense Andean grasses and high-altitude shrubs fill the foreground beneath the snowy Cotopaxi volcano

A scenic view of Cotopaxi volcano surrounded by grassy páramo landscape and partially hidden by clouds

Cotopaxi volcano capped with snow and red volcanic rock looms over a vast, open grassland

A close-up view of Cotopaxi’s white summit emerging from thick clouds above dark rocky slopes

The still waters of Limpiopungo Lagoon stretch beneath rolling hills inside Cotopaxi National Park