Quilotoa Lagoon

Quilotoa Lagoon

See many volcanoes on this journey and you will understand why this region was named "The Avenue of the Volcanoes" by the German naturalist scientific Alexander von Humboldt. Stunning landscapes will make your trip unique. Mountains and green pastures will be your companions on this trip. Little by little discover different cultures and customs. To visit a local market is part of the itinerary in order to discover new fruits, tubers and vegetables from the Inter-Andean region. Our eyes will be attracted by extensive plantations of barley, potatoes, turnips, oats. Dare to taste on the way up a guinea pig that is roasted above hot charcoal, this meat is considered a delicacy to people who are living in the rural areas. Minutes later, the water-fill lagoon with princess´ soul appears in front of our eyes to begin a special connection with nature.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Machachi, Machachi, Pichincha Province

Depart from Quito and cross over one of the most commercial and cow-farm towns of Ecuador. This inter-andean valley known as Machachi houses more than one economic activity. Machachi is surrounding by rose plantations, natural water factories and dairy shops. In July, an indigenous festival is celebrated each year. The festival is called “El Paseo del Chagra” or the Andean Cowboy Festival which was considered by the goverment an intangible cultural heritage of Ecuador. On the road, there is a view point to observe the mountains and some volcanoes which are part of the Andes mountain range.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Pujili, Pujili, Cotopaxi Province

On specific days of the week, you can see how sellers and buyers coming down to the Pujili indigenous market from different points. The market starts its activity early in the morning and is filled with colors either by the variety of products or by the tipycal dress of their natives who work in the market. The bargaining is part of the everyday of local people and makes you in a few seconds a good businessman.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Galeria del Primer Pintor de Tigua - "Julio Toaquiza Tigasi", Km 50 via Latacunga - Quevedo Tigua Chimbacuchu, Tigua 050405 Ecuador

The Tigua community is one hour far away from Latacunga city, on the Pujili-La Mana road, in the Province of Cotopaxi. This community for several years has combined farming and craftsmanship labors. In this place, we make an stop to observe a large part of the artistry work carried out by its natives. In a small gallery paintings in acrylic or watercolor are displayed where the main scenes about the “Pachamama” (Mother earth) and local characters of the old Spanish haciendas are reflected. A guinea pig can be seen while it is circling in the roasting as well.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Laguna Quilotoa, Laguna de Quilotoa, 070701 Ecuador

Quilotoa is a water-fill caldera that tops out at 3800m or 12467 ft above sea level. The lagoon shows up different colors, it depends if the day is sunny or cloudy. You can be as active or relaxed as you like in the lagoon. Quilotoa offers a wide range of activities which to choose from: hiking, kayaking, photography or just enjoy this peaceful place from the look-out point. The activity that travellers enjoy the most is to walk down at the bottom of the crater to look at the lagoon and return. if your physical condition is not the best one, the return could be assisted by a local man who rent mules to come back to the viewpoint. Afterwards a long walk a pause is necessary to taste typical food in one of the community restaurants of Quilotoa. After a wonderfull day is time to come back to Quito.

Duration: 3 hours