Quilotoa, the crater lake

Quilotoa is a crater lake in the western Andes, a few hours south of Quito by way of Latacunga. Minerals give the water its opaque turquoise. The rim sits near 3,900 meters. The first five minutes are the view. The next decision is whether to go down.

The rim and the water

The classic look is from the village edge. A rim path continues around the crater. It is a real walk: wind, sun, and almost no shade. Start early and treat the distance with more respect than the photographs suggest.

The path to the water is steep, loose, and obvious. Getting down is the easy half. The climb back is the trip. Porters with mules wait for the return, which tells you something. There is no shame in staying on the rim, and no prize for a miserable ascent in the afternoon cloud.

The loop

The Quilotoa Loop is a walking route through high villages: Sigchos, Isinlivi, Chugchilán, and the crater. It takes several days on foot, with simple lodgings and long views. It is the best way to see this country if your interest is walking rather than collecting sights. Details live in the hiking chapter.

A car or a day tour from Latacunga or Quito reaches the crater and leaves. That is a fair introduction. It is not the loop.

Altitude, again

Quilotoa is higher than Quito and higher than Cuenca. If Cotopaxi was already a stretch, do not stack this the next morning. Eat something, bring water, and expect the temperature to drop when the cloud arrives. The lake will still be there if you wait for a clear hour.