Quilotoa is a volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes whose crater has accumulated what is commonly called a crater lake. It is 3 km in diameter and around 250 meters deep, making it one of the largest and most spectacular volcanic lakes in the world.
It is the westernmost volcano in Ecuador and is part of the Cotopaxi National Park. The exuberant turquoise blue color of its waters is due to the large amount of minerals present in the lake.
It is a sinking caldera, the cooling of it and the lava gradually made it impermeable and a lake was formed due to the inactivity of the volcano and the accumulation of rain, like the one of Quilotoa. Most lake-volcanoes are found on the American continent, in Europe they are found in Iceland and Portugal.
This is one of the most attractive and essential excursions in Ecuador. Every itinerary through the Andean country must include a visit to this spectacle of nature.
How to get to Quilotoa?
Usually the fastest way is from Latacunga city, about 75Km (1h30 drive). You can also start from Ambato, about 120 km away, via Latacunga and even from the country’s capital, Quito. I think that from Quito the distance is too long to explore the region without missing the essentials.
There are two ways to get to the volcano: by car (either private or agency with local guide) or by public bus From the main bus station in Latacunga there is currently 1 direct daily bus through Zumbahua town or hourly buses to this town and once there by taxi to Quilotoa.
In my case, I hired a local guide with a car from Latacunga so that I could visit the indigenous towns and understand the origin and history of the volcano and the culture of the region.
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In the same way as I said for the Cotopaxi volcano, it is important to know that we will be almost 4000 meters above sea level. If we are not used to it, we can get headaches and altitude sickness. You have to adapt little by little to the altitudes of the country, do not go directly from the coast to the high Andes because it can be harmful to your health.
I also recommend that you bring warm clothes and mountain or sports clothes and suitable shoes. The path to the lake is slippery.
The Quilotoa road crosses an Andean mountainous region of great beauty. It is an area where the predominant population is indigenous. On Thursdays the interesting local market is held in Saquisilí. This town is halfway to Quilotoa.
It’s a trip It can be done in the same day from Latacunga. In any case, in the area of the lake and in the nearby towns, there are small accommodations and the Ecuadorian government allows camping on the volcano with prior authorization.
I recommend that you make 1 or 2 stops along the way before reaching the volcano to discover and appreciate the native art and culture of the region. It is very beautiful and interesting to see how the people of the region live.
Once there you have to pay to access the parking lot and native shops.
What to do in Quilotoa?
Contrary to what one might think, the parking lot is at the top of the volcano and not at the bottom. The first thing we see is the lake from afar, from above. It is a volcano that to visit you have to go down and not up.
He is one of the most impressive images of Ecuador: park the car, walk towards the railing (for the moment we can’t see anything) and suddenly see the immensity of the volcano and the lake. It leaves you speechless. At no time does it give you the impression that just after the railing there is a ravine towards the lake, 3 km wide and 250 meters deep.
Once there, it’s interesting go down to the lake. For this there is a path with a considerable slope that descends to the crater.
In about half an hour, the whole trip to the lake is done. You have to be careful because the ground is quite slippery. The climb is quite difficult and requires more than an hour or an hour and a half to do it, although once at the bottom you can hire a service to take you on horseback.
there you can see the fumaroles of the volcano up close, which although inactive, still emits gases from the bottom of the lake. You can easily walk part of the shore of the lake.
Latacunga, starting point for Quilotoa
I also recommend that you visit the center of Latacunga, stay in this city and the next day do the excursion. It is considered the largest city of the “Quilotoa circuit” and the main starting point for Quilotoa and the Cotopaxi National Park. It is a strategic point in the Andes (it even has an important airport for the country).
The main attractions of the population are all its churches in the center and its cathedral, from the 17th century. It is not a very touristic city and it helps to contemplate the Ecuadorian Andean way of life.
Without a doubt, Quilotoa is one of those places that you will never forget if you visit it. A huge volcano and a lake of extraordinary beauty. I totally recommend getting to see this spectacle of nature if you can.
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