Cotopaxi National Park

We headed to Cotopaxi National Park, but unfortunately pets weren't allowed in. We camped for the night in the lovely parking lot at the entrance, that was better than some camp sites we've paid for. That evening I had to keep rushing out of the van with Jo shrieking, as majestic snow capped peaks kept appearing out of the clouds.

In the morning we felt a little guilty putting Maya into the kennels, but it wasn't too cold and we had to go and check out the park. There was a gorgeous camp site, that unfortunately we couldn't use without leaving Maya overnight, so instead we parked up and followed an 'evacuation route' trail up on the highlands at the foot of the rugged Ruminahui. It was only a short walk but it was stunning, and Cotopaxi cleared its cloud cover and made me realise what I was letting myself in for when if I wanted to climb it.

The road through the park was beautiful to start with,l but ended up being so washboardy it actually shattered our truckers TV screen. It also finally killed the hastily repaired front shock, so in the morning it was back to the garage in Latacunga. At least in Ecuador they do things properly and we got a new rubber washer so hopefully it last this time.Read more