Trekking the Quilotoa Crater Lake
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Trekking along with the Andes’ most amazing landscapes of the famous Avenue of Volcanoes in Ecuadorian highlands. This trekking adventure will transport you into the heart of the Andean culture to experience the local way of living, hiking narrow trails used by the local mountain people. Trek for 1 day to reach Quilotoa volcano, Hike down the base of the Caldera of Quilotoa and take a kayak to explore the volcanic activity of this magical crater with possible opportunities of swimming in volcanic waters.
Itinerary Details
Operated by: Adventure Journeys
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Day 1 SUMMIT QUILOTOA CRATER LAKE
Stop At: Quilotoa
Early in the morning, after a hearty breakfast, we will drive for 3 hours to Chugchilán village, from here we will begin our 4 to 5 hours trekking to adventure on small trails blazed by the mountain people and still used by locals to transport commercialized products, and to travel across canyons of the Andean range to reach neighbor communities. While trekking on this trail, often you see the traditional custom of exchanging goods with one another still being utilized. We will hike down across impressive canyons to later climb back up to the top of the crater rim where you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the Quilotoa Lake. The magic of this place will take your breath away.
Duration: 8 hour
Day 2 HIKING INSIDE OF THE CRATER - KAYAKING
Stop At: Quilotoa
Quilotoa Crater Lake is our main goal on this day. After breakfast, we will take a hike down to the base of the crater in the middle of the volcano, on a beautiful step trail that has been considered sacred for all local communities that live around Quilotoa. Once in the lake, we will have some time to explore the crater of this mythical active volcano and go for a swim in volcanic waters if you wish. Once in the crater, we will take kayaks and paddle for half-hour approximately to reach the heart of the volcano and see water springs coming from the activity of the volcano. On the way back from the crater, if you consider yourself a bit tired, there is a unique opportunity to rent a mule and ride a very challenging steep trail. In the afternoon we get transferred to a small village with a very colorful market, located in the center of the Ecuadorian highlands, this is our opportunity to see the real-life of the local people. Later in the afternoon, we will drive back to Quito.
Duration: 8 hour
Day 1 SUMMIT QUILOTOA CRATER LAKE
Stop At: Quilotoa
Early in the morning, after a hearty breakfast, we will drive for 3 hours to Chugchilán village, from here we will begin our 4 to 5 hours trekking to adventure on small trails blazed by the mountain people and still used by locals to transport commercialized products, and to travel across canyons of the Andean range to reach neighbor communities. While trekking on this trail, often you see the traditional custom of exchanging goods with one another still being utilized. We will hike down across impressive canyons to later climb back up to the top of the crater rim where you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the Quilotoa Lake. The magic of this place will take your breath away.
Duration: 8 hour
Day 2 HIKING INSIDE OF THE CRATER - KAYAKING
Stop At: Quilotoa
Quilotoa Crater Lake is our main goal on this day. After breakfast, we will take a hike down to the base of the crater in the middle of the volcano, on a beautiful step trail that has been considered sacred for all local communities that live around Quilotoa. Once in the lake, we will have some time to explore the crater of this mythical active volcano and go for a swim in volcanic waters if you wish. Once in the crater, we will take kayaks and paddle for half-hour approximately to reach the heart of the volcano and see water springs coming from the activity of the volcano. On the way back from the crater, if you consider yourself a bit tired, there is a unique opportunity to rent a mule and ride a very challenging steep trail. In the afternoon we get transferred to a small village with a very colorful market, located in the center of the Ecuadorian highlands, this is our opportunity to see the real-life of the local people. Later in the afternoon, we will drive back to Quito.
Duration: 8 hour