Quilotoa Crater Lake

After spending some time in Latacunga, we organized a local taxi driver who took us high up into the Ecuadorian Andes.

The drive itself was already spectacular. The road climbed steadily through remote highland villages and a landscape that looked surprisingly green for such an altitude. Deep valleys, rolling hills and volcanic formations shaped the scenery along the way.

Eventually we reached the famous volcanic crater of Quilotoa.

Instead of only visiting the viewpoint, we decided to walk the entire crater rim.

The trail circles the massive volcanic caldera and reaches altitudes of almost 3,900 meters above sea level. At this height every step becomes noticeably harder, especially if it is one of your first hikes in the Andes.

Along the way the views constantly change. Sometimes the turquoise crater lake appears directly below you, sometimes the vast Andean highlands stretch endlessly into the distance.

One of the highlights is a modern panoramic viewpoint with a glass platform, offering an incredible perspective into the crater.

The entire landscape around Quilotoa is wild and dramatic, yet surprisingly lush and green. Deep volcanic valleys cut through the terrain, giving the region a rugged but beautiful character.

For us it was the perfect first acclimatization hike in the Ecuadorian Andes.