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Volcanoes are quite intriguing, but often deadly.
Living in the proximity of one is not for me, but I have visited and climbed a few in my lifetime.
Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands have twenty-seven potentially active volcanoes…Cayambe, Reventador, Guagua Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Sangay, Chacana to name a few. The Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve has three inside its boundaries, Yanahurco, Cotocachi and Cuicocha. Since we were nearby in Otavalo, we decided to make the hour-long trek to the Cuicocha Lagoon, a volcanic crater lake known for its spectacular beauty and scenic overlooks.
The reserve, only 87 miles from Quito, attracts visitors year round who are seeking a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. Well-paved hiking trails lead the way around the lake and through the reserve where visitors might spy spider and howler monkeys, 600 species of bird, including Andean condors, Andean gulls, hummingbirds and toucans and a wide variety of plants and flowers. Though there are waterfalls and and a rain-forest, the main attraction is the lagoon, filled with brilliantly colored water and centered with two volcanic domes that rise from the surface of the lake.
As we made our way through the sometimes steep and dusty trail, we admired the beautiful lake and Cotacachi Volcano in the distance, luckily having a fairly clear day. There were a few stops along the way which highlighted an Offerings Site (a great scenic overlook) and both Lunar and Solar calendars. Although we were not there for a long strenuous day of hiking, it was nice to have something different to see along the trail.
There is a restaurant on the premises and a boat dock which offers boat rides in the lake. It would have been interesting to see the two mile lake and islands from up close as I hear the lake bubbles from the gasses emitted from the volcano. Although seemingly serene, those bubbles are there as a reminder that there is not always stability in a volcanic region!
In addition, because of our parking location and limited time within the park, we were unable to stop at the Visitor’s Center to sign the guest book and see the exhibits which showcase the park’s inhabitants and ecological system, something that would have given us some insight to the area before beginning our trek.
Though our visit was short, it was worth the journey for the sheer beauty of the area. The local towns are simple and charming and it would be a wonderful adventure to stay for a while to enjoy the people and delectable cuisine.
In fact, many international travelers never leave and choose to retire here!
So, if you are looking for a day trip or even to stay for a lifetime…head out to Otavalo, Ibarra or Cotacachi. The views from your backyard will be the best you’ve ever seen!
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Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve
- http://cuicocha.org/
- Hours: Sunrise to sunset
- Admission: free
- Boat Rides: $4 per person
- Getting There: By car, from Quito, take Panamericana Norte to reach the ciry of Cotacachi. From here you continue for 12 kilometers until you reach the Cuicocha lagoon. By bus, from Quito to Cotacachi (closest town) costs approximately $2-3 and takes about 2 hours. You can then take a taxi from Cotacachi to the reserve for about $10, however it is recommended to make arrangements for a later pick-up.