Cotopaxi is Ecuador’s second tallest active volcano and a favorite among mountain climbers, locals and visitors. Because Cotopaxi is a stratovolcano, the first thing about it that catches everyone’s attention is its imperfectly-perfect conical shape, which is a result of its periodic explosions that have built up layers (or strata) of hardened lava, pumice and ash overtime.

The Quilotoa Loop is a remote, bumpy, mountainous road linking several high Andean villages and towns with the city of Latacunga. It offers one a chance to get off the Pan American highway and see some of the more remote people and culture of the central Andes of Ecuador.