Cotopaxi, Ecuador
01/06/2023 – 02/06/2023
Dinner on a Volcano
01/06/2023
After having spent time in the mountainous cloud forest of Mindo, we had plans to visit a different kind of mountain: a volcano! Notably, one 5897m high.
We were in the car for a few hours, again passing by Quito, and after making our way across a very rough road in our family van, we arrived at our hotel ‘Hacienda El Porvenir’ in the evening, where I immediately felt right at home.
It was a tranquil, traditional mountain estate with colourful walls and a thatched roof and has been standing there for over 200 years despite many volcano eruptions.
Outside it was cold, but inside the fireplace was already lit for us. In our rooms, we also found Ecuadorian ponchos which kept us warm during the evening. After settling in, we reconvened in the main living room of the estate before going for dinner.
Most of us were quite tired, with the low oxygen content putting additional strain on some. We therefore were quite happy to get some food.
We started with quinoa and a large mixed salad before moving on to our main dish: a huge steak on hot volcano stone, originating from the hill we were on. It was definitely one of the tastiest steaks I have had thus far.
To finish it all off, we had the best apple crumble I can remember having. Needless to say, this was a brilliant start into our volcano adventures after a long and tiring day.
After dinner, I played some pool with my brother and father and we then went to bed to catch up on some sleep.
Up the hill
02/06/2023
The next morning we had some fruit and eggs for breakfast, along with some much needed coffee.
It was a calm start into the day. However, once the sun crept through the clouds, I immediately felt the need to capture the dramatic scenery with my drone. So I rushed to my room, grabbed the thing and off it went.
An hour later we got into our car and followed the only road farther up the mountain and into the Cotopaxi National Park. Once inside, we came by Laguna De Limpiopungo.
From there we came closer and closer to Cotopaxi, which we wanted to drive up. On our way, we also came by a couple of wild horses which I was quick to capture with my telezoom lens.
From there onward, it was black volcano dust roads all the way. The car did not have it all that easy with the lack of oxygen on over 4.000m, but it made it up alright.
Moreover, getting higher and higher, we had a unique view of the surrounding national park and natural muted colours.
A little later we arrived on the highest spot reachable by car. There, I got out to explore the surroundings by foot. As some of us were not doing well at the height and it being freezing cold, we did not go for a longer hike up the volcano. Nonetheless, the view was brilliant. Not because one could see so far, but because it was magical standing on the ash-covered volcano.
Upon driving down again, I flew my drone to follow the car, marking the end of our volcano exploration.
Shortly thereafter we picked up our luggage from the hotel and – due to our tight timeline – had to drive all the way to our next stop: the Amazon Rainforest. The drive again took us across scary and wonderful mountain roads and through fascinating valleys, with the greenery of the forest surrounding us more and more the further we got into the country.
¡Volveremos pronto!