Ecuador Road Trip | Cotopaxi

On day 10 of my 25 day road trip we drove to National Park Cotopaxi. Unfortunately as we began the hike to the refuge from 14000 ft. to 15000 ft and then on to the glacier, I had my first problem with altitude since arriving in Ecuador. My head began to pound and I started having tunnel vision, so we came back down. I’ll have to try and tackle that one again the next time I’m in Ecuador!

glacier cotopaxi Ecuador

As close as I got to the glacier at Cotopaxi

My guide, David Ecuador

My guide, David

coca tea for alititude sickness

Coca Tea – great for altitude sickness, but didn’t work this time.

A wolf hanging out along the side of the road as we drove through Cotopaxi National Park

A wolf hanging out along the side of the road as we drove through Cotopaxi National Park

Hacienda La Cienega

I spent that night in another beautiful historic location – Hacienda La Cienega. The main building is over 300 years old, but kept immaculately clean. The staff here were awesome – I’ve never been waited on so much. One waiter in particular was very concerned that I was traveling alone. We had a long conversation with my broken Spanish and his broken English, but he never did understand why I was there alone.

Hacienda La Cienega Ecuador
Hacienda La Cienega Ecuador
Hacienda La Cienega Ecuador
Hacienda La Cienega Ecuador with roses on the table

Beautiful fresh roses were such a common site in Ecuador! I learned that almost 40% of the cut roses in the US come from Ecuador and almost 60% come from Columbia

There was a beautiful chapel in the courtyard. The grounds were kept as immaculate as the buildings.

There was a beautiful chapel in the courtyard. The grounds were kept as immaculate as the buildings.

fountain
Hacienda La Cienega view from my room

View from my room


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Cathy Fitzgerald

I'm a certified life and health coach passionate about helping midlife women reclaim their energy, confidence, and sense of adventure. After experiencing my own midlife transformation, I founded Age Wild to show women that their best chapter might just be the one they're about to write.

Through one-on-one coaching, group programs, and this blog, I help women move beyond "I'm too old for that" to "Why not now?" Whether you're dreaming of starting a business, traveling solo, or simply finding more joy in your daily life, I'm here to help you take that first brave step.

When I'm not coaching or writing, you'll find me enjoying nature in beautiful Northern Michigan.

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Ecuador Road Trip | Quilotoa & Chugchilan

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Ecuador Road Trip | Termas de Papallacta