The Rumiñawi peaks
Sharp dark edges above the water.
Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ymblanter — CC BY-SA 4.0
Limpiopungo Lagoon is a shallow high-altitude lake in Cotopaxi National Park, roughly 50 km south of Quito. It lies between the famous Cotopaxi volcano and the dormant Rumiñawi, and is one of the easiest places to see the high country up close, in an open scene whose colours change with the clouds. The park holds three volcanoes, Cotopaxi, Rumiñawi and Sincholagua, and spreads across Cotopaxi, Napo and Pichincha provinces. Cotopaxi is among the highest active volcanoes in the world, with its most recent eruption running from 14 August 2015 to 24 January 2016. Its name is popularly explained as smooth neck of the moon, from Quechua and Aymara. You follow a wooden walkway and then an easy dirt path around the water, through golden grasses rippling in the wind. Ahead rise the dark, sharp peaks of Rumiñawi, and behind you the snowy cone of Cotopaxi may show on clear days. Water birds appear in the shallows. About an hour is enough for most visitors to circle the lake. The lake is 43.9 km in a straight line south of Quito and 38.8 km north of Latacunga. The altitude is very high, so walk slowly and go down if you feel badly dizzy. The weather is cold and changeable and the sun strong, so bring a jacket and sunscreen. Check the volcano alert level before going, keep to the paths and do not approach animals.
Sharp dark edges above the water.
An easy path through golden grass.
The cone on clear days.
Cotopaxi National Park, south of Quito
The path is easy, but the altitude makes walking tiring, so take your time.
On clear days, as cloud often covers it, and morning gives the best chance.