Quilotoa
Ecuador · Sierra · 3900 m
Description
Quilotoa is a water-filled volcanic caldera in the Ecuadorian Andes and is considered one of the country's most spectacular natural attractions. Its turquoise-green crater lake, colored by dissolved minerals and changing light conditions, lies about 400 m below the crater rim, which is encircled by a hiking trail that most visitors complete in four to five hours. A steep switchback path descends to the lakeshore, where kayaks are often available for rent to explore the calm waters. Quilotoa is the scenic highlight of the popular Quilotoa Loop, a multi-day trekking route through indigenous Andean villages, patchwork farmland, and cloud forest. The crater rim reaches an elevation of 3,914 m (12,841 ft), offering breathtaking views while the high altitude and thin air make proper acclimatization advisable.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: July – August
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Quilotoa Crater Lake
- Quilotoa Crater Rim Hike
- Quilotoa Crater Viewpoint
- Descent Trail to the Crater Lake
- Kayaking on Quilotoa Crater Lake
- Quilotoa Loop(Multi-day trip)
- Shalalá Viewpoint
- Shalalá Glass Viewpoint
- Community of Quilotoa
- Tigua Art Galleries(Day trip)
- Indigenous Markets of Zumbahua(Day trip)
- Toachi Canyon
- Isinliví(Day trip)
- Chugchilán(Day trip)
- Avenue of the Volcanoes Viewpoints(Day trip)