Far from the tourist circuit, the departments of Nariño and Putumayo, bordering Ecuador, are full of wonders. The Nariño town of Ipiales is home to the famous Lajas Cathedral, built into the cliffs of the Andes, while the town of Pasto, at the foot of the Galeras volcano, is a must for visitors to the surrounding area. Another natural attraction is the Cocha lagoon, a miniature version of Lake Titicaca, located 24 km from Pasto on the road to Amazonia, and the wildlife sanctuary of La Corota Island, a small island in the middle of the lagoon, populated by a variety of flora and fauna. The city also hosts the Carnaval des Blancs et Noirs (Black and White Carnival) every January.
