Have you ever drawn a volcano in your childhood? That’s the kind of image you will see when you reach Cotopaxi, a perfectly symmetrical cone with white snowy peak. Its 5,897-meter summit can be climbed by any one, it does not need any technicality but you need to acclimatize first. But there are many peaks in the world that are higher than Cotopaxi, then what is so special about it, well it’s the catchy title that is associated with it “the active volcano closest to sun”. It is the world’s highest active volcano.
First you have to take a flight to Quito, the capital of Ecuador; you can catch a glimpse of the peak from there. But make no mistake it can seem deceptively closer than it really is. But if you think you can handle 6000 meters of journey through the mountains then it’s your call. Otherwise you can hire a ride till the edge of the mountain and start your climb from there. Hire yourself a 4×4 vehicle and zoom through the Cotopaxi Park and enjoy the stunning beauty of the park.
Take care of your travel kit; you need good climbing boots and a rucksack to carry food, water and first aid equipment. You can easily find a climbing group already planning to go to the peak in Quito. It’s always nice to have someone walking along side you on mountains. Climate is chilly so take warm clothes with you; a high calorie meal will also help.
As you start climbing to the glacier on the top, you will find that temperature falls even more. Enjoy the picture-perfect scene of the surroundings, the dawn is the perfect time to be on Cotopaxi when all of sudden you see an unnaturally orange light appear from the horizon. The climbing can be exhausting so take small breaks during the climb and take a few pictures for your album and for showing to folks back home.
The magical moment is when one reaches the summit, an area roughly equal to a basket ball court that makes you feel like if you are standing on the roof of the world. Take a look around you, through the crystalline air you can see the other peaks of Andean hiding and appearing in the cover of clouds. This is truly a magical moment, the stay on the summit can be of a short time as you have to take the long walk back to the base camp but it surely will be one that you will not forget for a very long time.
If you are ready for the adventure, take a cheap flight to Quito and explore the active volcano closest to sun.
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