An ecological sanctuary of 88,920 acres, Cotopaxi National Park is accessible from Quito and is dominated by Cotopaxi Volcano which rises 5,897 metres above sea level and is the world’s highest active volcano. A visit to the park allows you to view rare birds such as the giant Andean condor and the low growing vegetation and typical plants of the ‘Páramo’. Depending on weather conditions it is also possible to hike up to the snow line of the volcano at around 5000 metres.