Cotopaxi and Cajas National Parks

Cotopaxi (and Cajas), two of Ecuador's most popular national parks, are within easy driving distance of the cities of Cuenca and Quito and make excellent day outings. Cotopaxi National Park (Parque Nacional Cotopaxi), located 50 kilometers south of Quito, is the more well-known of the two. The opportunity to witness its many volcanoes up close is one of the highlights of a visit. The huge (and still active) Cotopaxi volcano is the most impressive of these. This enormous volcano, together with the smaller Rumiawi and Sincholagua volcanoes, dominates the area's magnificent environment, with the most recent eruption occurring in 2015.

Cajas National Park (Parque Nacional Cajas), located 30 kilometers from Cuenca in Ecuador's magnificent highlands, offers a radically different experience due to its multiple hills and valleys, making it a great spot to trek and ride. Its more than 270 lagoons and glacier-fed lakes are also a treat for water sports lovers, notably kayakers and canoeists.

Finally, Podocarpus National Park, sometimes known as the "Botanical Garden of America," is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Its humid mountain forests, which are found in the southeast of the country, are home to over 4,000 varieties of plants and trees. Some of these examples are as tall as 40 meters, including Ecuador's national tree, the cinchona.

Location : Ecuador, Cotopaxi Province, Napo Province and Pichincha Province