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Overview
Located a couple of hours north of Quito, in the northern Andes region of Ecuador, the Cuicocha Lake and the Cotacachi Cayapas National Park are delights for anyone who enjoys outstanding natural beauty. Cotacachi Cayapas has a variety of biological zones fall within its 3044 square kilometers. The park is found in the Imbabura province, and is close to the towns of Ibarra and Otavalo.
Due to the limited agricultural use of the land, Cotacachi Cayapas has a wide variety of plant life. The park is primarily at high altitude, so the plants that survive here are those that are suitable for this topography. Much of the park falls within a páramo landscape.
The Cuicocha Lake is a stunning jewel in within the national park. The lake sits at an altitude of 3200 meters above sea level and is 3 kilometers wide. It is a caldera and a crater lake, and is estimated to have been formed more than 3000 years ago as the result of a huge eruption. Today, the volcano is dormant. The name “Cuicocha” comes from the Quechua language and can be translated as “Guinea Pig Lake” in English. The reason for this name is that the biggest island in the middle of the lake somewhat resembles a guinea pig in shape. The two islands within the lake have their own names, Teodoro Wolf for the larger and Yerovi for the smaller. These islands are covered with forest, and people are not allowed on them. However, some interesting wildlife exists here, in contrast to the lake itself, which is extremely alkaline and does not support much life.
The area offers excellent hiking opportunities, not least of which is the hike around Cuicocha Lake itself. It is best to allow a day for this hike, because depending on fitness it can take up to six hours to circumnavigate. The trail is clearly marked all the way around the lake, and there are some pretty viewpoints at various points on the trail, where hikers can eat their packed lunch while taking in the awesome scenery.
The Cuicocha Lake and the Cotacachi Cayapas National Park are delights for anyone who enjoys outstanding natural beauty...
Highlights of Cuicocha Lake and the Cotacachi Cayapas National Park
Climbing Cotacachi – Cotacachi mountain is best climbed from June to September, which is considered the dry season. Views from the top of this peak are spectacular, and on a clear day, climbers will be able to see along the Avenue of the Volcanoes. The weather is not always clear, and climbers should beware of lightning and falling rocks. Technical climbing is required at the top and this mountain is not recommended for the inexperienced.
Hiking around Cuicocha Lake – a pleasant day trip is a hike around the Cuicocha Lake. The hike can take anywhere from 3 and a half hours for strong, acclimatized hikers, and up to six hours for those who want to take more of a gentle stroll. There are some steep parts, and views of the lake are outstanding most of the way around.
Boat trips on the lake – those who do not want to hike around the lake might consider a boat trip. Boats leave approximately every 30 minutes. The trip will take travelers around the islands in the middle of the lake and will show visitors spots where bubbles of sulfuric gases are coming to the surface of the water.
Viewing flora and fauna – Cotacachi Cayapas is home to a great variety of different flora and fauna. A lucky visitor might get to see an Andean Condor overhead— in fact the bird is the symbol of the park —while those hiking around Cuicocha lake will observe a vast array of different plant species.
Inti Raymi – during the indigenous festival of Inti Raymi at the time of the summer solstice, which is June 21, shaman come to Cuicocha Lake to bathe in the waters. This is a form of spiritual cleansing and is believed to be good for purification.
Camping – the Cotacachi Cayapas National Park makes for an excellent camping spot. Camping is recommended for those climbing Cotacachi so that they get an early start in the morning before the long climb to the peak.
Getting To From Cuicocha Lake and Cotacachi Cayapas
The Cuicocha Lake and Cotacachi Cayapas are located approximately 20 minutes by car from the Cotacachi Leather Town. Cotacachi town is a further fifteen minutes from Otavalo.
To get there, the visitor should take a bus from Quito to Otavalo at the northern bus terminal at Carcelen. This will cost approximately $2. The journey to Otavalo from Carcelen takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The bus will end its journey at Otavalo’s Terminal Terrestre (bus terminal). Visitors that do this will need to then take a bus or taxi onward to the Cotacachi or Cuicocha.
From Otavalo, a taxi to the lake will cost approximately $15. From Cotacachi, the taxi will cost significantly less. Those who want the taxi to wait for them while they hike will have to pay approximately $7 per hour more for this service.
For climbing Cotacachi, climbers should try to arrange pick-up transportation in Cotacachi. This will cost around $20-$35 for a return trip. The pick up will take the climbers up a bumpy road alongside the Cuicocha Lake, and up as far as the Antennas. From here it is possible to hike and climb up the mountain to the best camping spots and beyond. Sometimes the road is not passable, so climbers will need to hike from the entrance of the Cotacachi Cayapas National Park, which adds another four hours of hiking each way to their trip.
Entrance to Cotacachi Cayapas is $0.50 for residents and a little more for foreigners.
