Amazing Trip
Quilotoa Crater Lake, is a water-filled crater lake and the most western volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. The 3-kilometre (2 mi)-wide caldera was formed by the collapse of its dome, the last catastrophic eruption about 800 years ago, which produced pyroclastic flows and lahars that reached the Pacific Ocean, and spread an airborne deposit of volcanic ash throughout the northern Andes.
Quilotoa Crater Lake
Departuring from Banos we could enjoy part of the Volcano Street, and also learning about some interessting towns and communities likem Pujili or Tigua Painter on the way.
Living this tour we can learn about our cultural and geographical richness, from Banos at 1800mt up to 3800mt.
Descripción
Our adventure begins in Banos de Agua Santa, from where we drive first on the route Banos-Ambato, then the route Ambato-Latacunga, finally the route Latacunga, Zumbahua-Quiotoa.
The tour is very impressive as we can observe the
The tour takes about 2:30 and we drive through several villages and towns, here we can see how rich is our diversity, starting from a temperate climate in Banos at 1800mt driving up to the Andean Paramo at 3800mt, where we find indigenous communities most of them live on agriculture and livestock.
Between Zumbahua and Quilotoa we can appreciate the eruptions of the Quilotoa Volcano that has left some beautiful valleys and geographic forms typical of places that have gone through several volcanic eruptions.
We reach the parking lot of QUilotoa at 3800mt from where we make a walk of 25min more or less to the lagoon, where we can practice kayaking, enjoy the scenery, swim in the lagoon, take a snack.
After spending some time in the lagoon we must return to the park, walking 40min or we can rent mules to climb, around the parking place we have some restaurants to have Lunch, after that we have time to visit the handicrafts, visit the Mirador de Shalala, finally we board our transport to start our return to Baños or help them take the bus to Quito if necessary.
Itinerario
Meeting
We meet at Amazing Trip office 20min before the departure, registering and cecking we got all the stuff we need.
Banos-Quiltoa
Driving to Quilotoa we pass by some cities, towns and communities, we also can enjoy part of the Volcano's Avenue.
Quilota Activities
We reach the parking at 3800mt from where we walk down to the lake 20min, here is possible to relax, swimm, do kayaking.
Quilotoa Lunch Time
After we spend a while on the Lake we return to the parking (Walking or MUles), then we have lunch and rest a momment.
Around Quilotoa
After lunching we have time to visit the handcrafts and walk to the Shalala Viewpoint, then we are ready to drive back to Banos.
Driving Back
Being done with the activities we start to drive back to Banos, on the way we could see more interessting places and situations as well as some other mountains.
Drop off
Normally the people return to Banos but we can also drop the people off in Latacunga or we help taking the Bus to Quito if the case.
Map
Includes
- Private Transportation
- Certified Guides
- Lunch
Not Included
- Any not specified service or expense
- Dringks
- Fees
- Tips
What to Bring?
Reviews
Quilota Lake Ecuador
The Quilotoa Lake was formed by the collapse of this dacite volcano following a catastrophic VEI-6 eruption about 800 years ago, which produced pyroclastic flows and lahars that reached the Pacific Ocean, and spread an airborne deposit of volcanic ash throughout the northern Andes. This last eruption followed a dormancy period of 14,000 years and is known as the 1280 Plinian eruption. The fourth (of seven) eruptive phase was phreatomagmatic, indicating that a Crater lake was already present at that time. The caldera has since accumulated a 250-metre-deep (820 ft) crater lake, which has a greenish color as a result of dissolved minerals. Fumaroles are found on the lake floor and hot springs occur on the eastern flank of the volcano.
