Ecuador, South America, Travel & Adventure

Cotopaxi

Jessi in the field
Jessi in the field

Several hours sitting in the back of a ute (on cushions for comfort of course..) sees us arrive at the Secret Garden in the large valley spread out below Cotopaxi.  Cotopaxi is much like Kilimanjaro in that it’s a massive free standing volcanic cone, except that the valley we’re in now is already 3,500m asl. and so the mountain before us isn’t quite as imposing but no less majestic.  An almost perfect cone capped with glaciers and sitting almost directly over the equator, the summit of Cotopaxi is one of the places on Earth furthest from the centre (something to do with the equatorial bulge for anyone who is interested).

Llama or alpaca?
Llama or alpaca?

Sitting here in our tent we have the perfect view as the sun sets over the valley with the last few rays lighting up the clouds over the summit.  We came with the intention of making a summit climb but I was hit pretty hard with altitude sickness last night (think massive migraine with constant vomiting and diarrhea – not a pretty sight after a dinner consisting of beetroot salad).

George & Edmond visit the farm
George & Edmond visit the farm

The next morning instead we’ve opted for less strenuous activities, Jess off riding horses to one of the neighboring peaks while I went with my guide off through the panther infested forest behind the hostel (pretty sure they were pulling my leg here..) and up to the summit of Pasachoa.  Tagging along on the walk we’re the two resident canines from Secret Garden, Basil the dalmatian and Mash the sausage dog.

Basil on lookout
Basil on lookout

That little dog has some stamina!  From someone who nearly died the night before (maybe not that drastic but perhaps you haven’t heard of the man-flu!)  I didn’t believe it was particularly responsible to allow a dog with only two inch legs, and a very low tum, to battle panthers and then summit a reasonably high peak without so much as a scooby snack to keep him going, but Mash was the epitome of “never say die” and endlessly bounded up the trail, dragging that ridiculous looking body up with him.

Mash the Wonder Dog
Mash the Wonder Dog

At the peak we stop for lunch, I get my first lesson in Spanish (my guide, nameless, doesn’t speak a lick of English  and so I figure I may need to pick up some basics if I intend on understanding any of what he’s been pointing out to me all day) and we stumble across a family of wild brumbies.

Brumbies
Brumbies

Back in the valley Jess has returned from her ride and we settle in for the night with this amazing (albeit vegetarian) dinner that  has been prepared every night so far by the family running this place.  Honestly if you ever get the chance to come through Ecuador, make the effort out to Cotopaxi and stay here at the Secret Garden.  It may be a little over budget (3 meals included every day) but the setting, the staff and the experience are definitely worth it.  The dread-locked Aussie helping out here arrived for a few nights over three months ago and simply hasn’t left yet!  If only we had the time (and lack of commitment)..

Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi
Tagged

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.