Quilatoa Ecuador
Latacunga > Isinlivi > Chugchilán > Quilotoa > Zumbahua > Latacunga
This is a lovely but extremely challenging hike round small Quechua villages, rivers, gorgeous valleys, a volcano and a beautiful Crater lake. The average altitude is 3900m and you go up and down this height as you traverse valleys climb hills and basically commune with nature. Quilatoa crater lake was formed when the volcano erupted in about the thirteenth century AD. It is about 250 meters deep and is characterized by its stunningly bright turquoise color. You can either hike round it or hike down and up. The first time I hiked down and up, which was exhausting, and the second…OK I admit it I took the mule ride up which in itself was quite an experience and I had to hang on for grim life as the mule seemed to be almost on a precipice. Sasquisili has a Thursday market which is really interesting because it is a local market selling meat ( I saw two girls sitting chatting beside the head of a cow), fruit especially large mounds of bananas, weaving materials, palm fronds and the colourful capes of the local villagers. I have done various parts of this walk with various friends walking round the crater’s edge. My Aunt Mitzi, friends including Val, Maryanne. My friend Eoin came over from Ireland and we did the full walk which was amazing.
no images were found
no images were found