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Hiking, Flora, Scenery, Water |
Cuicocha
Cuicocha is a 3 km (2mi) wide caldera and crater lake at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano in the Cordillera Occidental of the Ecuadorian Andes. Its name comes from the indigenous language and signifies Guinea Pig Laguna in English. It was given this name due to the shape of the largest island located in the middle of the Laguna resembling a Guinea Pig.The caldera was created by a massive eruption about 3100 years ago. The volcano has been dormant since that time. Cuicocha forms the southern end of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve.
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.