Quilotoa is a volcanic crater with an emerald green lake, surrounded by several snow-capped volcanoes. This is an active volcano which is 2km in diameter. The depth of the crater rim is 500m. There is just one way down tho the salty sulphurous water. Sometimes it looks like the water is boiling because of the carbonic gas. The highest peak is called "Huyantic" or "Puerta de Zhalaló" and is at 4010m. The indiginous tribe called "Tigua" are in this area and they are skilled painters. They do multicoloured paintings on sheep skin. This area is very dusty but the paramo is stunning to behold and fascinating because of the indiginous communities settled throughout the area. In many ways life here has been relatively untouched by the modern world. Zumbahua's market on Saturday is considered to be the most traditional in Ecuador. This tour can be combined with a visit to a market: Zumbahua on Saturdays, Pujili or Machachi on Sundays, or Saquisili on Thursdays.
This area takes significant time to drive to from Quito and a full three days should be budgetted to do this trip properly.
Day 1: Transport 10.00 Quito-Latacunga-Market-Quilotoa (5 hours). This will take 7 - 8 hours if a market visit is combined. The overnight stay is in a basic hostal close to the lagoon.
Day 2: We start the excursion at 7:00. It takes around 6 hours to walk around the lagoon on the crater rim or you can take a two hour walk down to the lagoon and back. After this we go to the Black Sheep Inn, which is an eco-friendly hostel.
Day 3: This day we hike through the beautiful country surrounding the hostel before returning to Quito. On the way back we stop in Latacunga for a traditional dinner of Chugchucara.