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Cuicocha Lake
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Cuicocha is a three-kilometre (1.9-mile) wide caldera and crater lake at the foot of of the Cotacachi Volcano, close to the market town of Otavalo. The caldera was created by a massive eruption about 3,100 years ago. The volcano has been dormant since that time. In combination with other eruptions from nearby Imbabura, Mojanda, Cotacachi, and Cayambe, Cuicocha is responsible for the fertile soil of the Otavalo valley.
The crater lake within the Cuicocha caldera contains four dacitic lava domes which form two steep forested islands: Yerovi, the smaller, and Teodoro Wolf, the larger. People are prohibited on both, although there are trips organized in passenger boats around the lake which makes for a fine way to spend half-an-hour.
The rim of the caldera is extremely steep and there is a good track all the way around out: a great hike for those not worried about the altitude of around 3,000 metres. One can also get dropped off about half-way round the crater rim on the very rough road ‘via de las antenas’, walking mainly downhill from there to the visitor centre.
The visitor centre is managed by the national parks service, since the crater lake is part of the huge and wild 204,420-hectare Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. The reserve contains several ecosystems, from coastal tropical forest to pre-montane and montane cloud forest, to páramo. It goes all the way down to the Pacific coast, nearly to the beach.
During the second day of Inti Raymi (or Sun Festival) every summer solstice, indigenous shaman use Cuicocha as a bath of ritual cleansing and purification.
Find out more about the Cotacachi canton, and its innovative local government, at:
The crater lake within the Cuicocha caldera contains four dacitic lava domes which form two steep forested islands: Yerovi, the smaller, and Teodoro Wolf, the larger. People are prohibited on both, although there are trips organized in passenger boats around the lake which makes for a fine way to spend half-an-hour.
The rim of the caldera is extremely steep and there is a good track all the way around out: a great hike for those not worried about the altitude of around 3,000 metres. One can also get dropped off about half-way round the crater rim on the very rough road ‘via de las antenas’, walking mainly downhill from there to the visitor centre.
The visitor centre is managed by the national parks service, since the crater lake is part of the huge and wild 204,420-hectare Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. The reserve contains several ecosystems, from coastal tropical forest to pre-montane and montane cloud forest, to páramo. It goes all the way down to the Pacific coast, nearly to the beach.
During the second day of Inti Raymi (or Sun Festival) every summer solstice, indigenous shaman use Cuicocha as a bath of ritual cleansing and purification.
Find out more about the Cotacachi canton, and its innovative local government, at:
http://www.cotacachi.gov.ec/htms/eng/asamblea/sitios.htm
The road up to the Cuicocha lake is paved and in good condition. There is no public transport, but one can hire a taxi or transport in the town of Otavalo or Cotacachi.
Hike ‘Round Guinea Pig Lake
Lake Cuicocha lies a short drive from the hugely-popular market town of Otavalo – home to South America’s largest handicraft market. The lake is itself an impressive crater high in the Andes which has filled with water from the surrounding mountains. It’s a great sight to enjoy on a tour of the region, and a fun hike for the more active.
Cuicocha – whose name is a conflation of the Quichua words for ‘guinea pig’ and ‘lake’ - is the most visited lake in the large Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. It was formed by a volcanic eruption approximately 3,000 years ago. The Yerovi and Teodoro Wolf volcanic islets, important attractions at the lake, are located in the centre of the crater, which is three kilometres (1.9 miles) wide. It is thought the eruption generated 5 cubic kilometres of pyroclatistic flow and is partly responsible for the surrounding region’s fertility. This ‘gift’ to the Earth is remembered to this day by local shaman’s who come to make offerings and hold purification ceremonies on the second day of the Inti Raymi Festival every summer solstice.
The lake is some 200 m (656 feet) deep at its deepest point. It is highly alkaline and therefore contains little life. The islets, which are in fact lava domes, do provide a habitat for some wildlife, particularly the Silvery Grebe, which lives around reeds and feeds on algae. The vegetation around the crater is typified by orchids, achupallas, ferns and pumamaqui. The local fauna includes swifts, swallows, tanagers and hummingbirds.
The 3,044 km² (752,235 acres) ecological reserve also harbours many other species, including 500 species of bird along with anteaters, sloths, ocelots, raccoons, fox, paramo wolves and deer. Due to its many lakes and rivers, many aquatic and amphibious animals are also found there. Its most famous resident is probably the Andean Spectacled Bear, the only bear species in South America and today very much endangered. One can also spot Andean Condors at Cuicocha.
Visiting the lake independently, one would need to hire a taxi for about an hour or two, perhaps in Otavalo or in the town of Cotacachi – there is no local public transport up to the lake. If you want to do the trail, you will need to negotiate the return pick up time and price with the driver. From Cotacachi to the k
First, one reaches the park entrance, where the fee is $2 for foreigners and $1 for Ecuadorians. From there, one can proceed up a steep trail to the crater’s edge affording beautiful views. Here one can start the long hike around the crater to the south along an established trail, which takes about 4-5 hours. Or one can head directly downhill to the good visitors’ centre further to the north. Following the main road downhill from there, one comes to a tourist complex, which includes a small café, some handicraft stalls and small boats which take visitors on half-hour motorized tours around the lake. The ride costs $3.
Details of walking trail
This trail skirts the lake on a footpath, enabling you to admire the flora and fauna as well as the bird and plant colonies of numerous species at the foot of Cotacachi volcano.
For more details of the Cuicocha hike, see the “Deportes de Montaña” guide, published by the Quito Visitors’ Bureau, CAPTUR and the Ministry of Tourism. Available at the Visitors’ Bureau main centre on Plaza de la Independencia, Palacio Municipal, price $15.
Lake Cuicocha lies a short drive from the hugely-popular market town of Otavalo – home to South America’s largest handicraft market. The lake is itself an impressive crater high in the Andes which has filled with water from the surrounding mountains. It’s a great sight to enjoy on a tour of the region, and a fun hike for the more active.
Cuicocha – whose name is a conflation of the Quichua words for ‘guinea pig’ and ‘lake’ - is the most visited lake in the large Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve. It was formed by a volcanic eruption approximately 3,000 years ago. The Yerovi and Teodoro Wolf volcanic islets, important attractions at the lake, are located in the centre of the crater, which is three kilometres (1.9 miles) wide. It is thought the eruption generated 5 cubic kilometres of pyroclatistic flow and is partly responsible for the surrounding region’s fertility. This ‘gift’ to the Earth is remembered to this day by local shaman’s who come to make offerings and hold purification ceremonies on the second day of the Inti Raymi Festival every summer solstice.
The lake is some 200 m (656 feet) deep at its deepest point. It is highly alkaline and therefore contains little life. The islets, which are in fact lava domes, do provide a habitat for some wildlife, particularly the Silvery Grebe, which lives around reeds and feeds on algae. The vegetation around the crater is typified by orchids, achupallas, ferns and pumamaqui. The local fauna includes swifts, swallows, tanagers and hummingbirds.
The 3,044 km² (752,235 acres) ecological reserve also harbours many other species, including 500 species of bird along with anteaters, sloths, ocelots, raccoons, fox, paramo wolves and deer. Due to its many lakes and rivers, many aquatic and amphibious animals are also found there. Its most famous resident is probably the Andean Spectacled Bear, the only bear species in South America and today very much endangered. One can also spot Andean Condors at Cuicocha.
Visiting the lake independently, one would need to hire a taxi for about an hour or two, perhaps in Otavalo or in the town of Cotacachi – there is no local public transport up to the lake. If you want to do the trail, you will need to negotiate the return pick up time and price with the driver. From Cotacachi to the k
First, one reaches the park entrance, where the fee is $2 for foreigners and $1 for Ecuadorians. From there, one can proceed up a steep trail to the crater’s edge affording beautiful views. Here one can start the long hike around the crater to the south along an established trail, which takes about 4-5 hours. Or one can head directly downhill to the good visitors’ centre further to the north. Following the main road downhill from there, one comes to a tourist complex, which includes a small café, some handicraft stalls and small boats which take visitors on half-hour motorized tours around the lake. The ride costs $3.
Details of walking trail
This trail skirts the lake on a footpath, enabling you to admire the flora and fauna as well as the bird and plant colonies of numerous species at the foot of Cotacachi volcano.
| Mountain taken as reference | Cotacachi (4,944m. above sea level) | ||
| Protected area | Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve | ||
| Total length of the trail | 13.83 kms. | ||
| Estimated time required to complete the trail | 4 hours | ||
| Type of track | Path and road | ||
| Level of fitness required | Low | ||
| Altitude | Minimum – 3,080m. above sea level | ||
| Maximum – 3,480m. above sea level | |||
| Starting point | Entrance to the Lake | ||
| Finishing point | Entrance to the Lake | ||
| Topographical Chart | OTAVALO (ÑII-F1) | Scale: 1:50.000 | |
| Climate | Mild | ||
| Best time of year | June to September and December to February. Possible all year round with the right clothing. | ||
| Main attractions | Diversity of flora along the trail, visitors’ centre and arts and crafts centre by the pier, panoramic view of Cuicocha Lake and islets. Panoramic view of Cotacachi and Imbabura volcanoes, arts & crafts and leather products in Cotacachi. | ||
| Entrance fee | Nationals | Adults: US$ 0.50 | Children: US$ 0.25 |
| Foreigners | Adults. US$ 1 | Children: US$ 1 | |
| Opening hours | 08.00 to 16.00 | ||
| Parking area | Yes | Fee: US$ 0 | |
| Vehicle required | Any | ||
For more details of the Cuicocha hike, see the “Deportes de Montaña” guide, published by the Quito Visitors’ Bureau, CAPTUR and the Ministry of Tourism. Available at the Visitors’ Bureau main centre on Plaza de la Independencia, Palacio Municipal, price $15.
