Quilotoa Crater–Ecuador’s Famous and Beautiful Volcanic Lake!

It’s no surprise that Quilotoa Crater Lake is often listed as one of the top 10 sights in Ecuador. Even though it’s sparring for notoriety with sweeping rainforest, the fascinating Galapagos Islands, and the rest of the soaring Andes mountains, this volcanic crater is nothing less than stunning.

Quilotoa Crater Lake has many things that make it unique and well worth a visit. For example, the crater sits nearly 13,000 feet high, and the journey through the mountains to reach it is nearly as beautiful as the final destination. And, of course, the ever-changing turquoise waters (caused by the volcanic minerals) and sweeping landscape are a once-in-a-lifetime view for many.

This particular crater is also rather unique because it’s owned and operated by the surrounding village! In an effort to distribute tourist income equally, the locals take care of the crater and have a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants set up around town. So when you visit Quilatoa, you’re directly supporting the local economy!

Now, many avid hikers will take on the Quilotoa Loop, which is a 22+ mile trek (depending on the route you take) from Sigchos to the Quilotoa Crater Lake. From what I’ve heard, it’s absolutely stunning–but that’s not what today is about. Today, I want to focus on the Quilotoa Crater Hike, which takes you down from the crater rim to the lake and back, as well as tell you a bit about the quaint town at the top.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

Preparing for Your Trip

Because Quilotoa is so high in the mountains, it’s important to be prepared for the climate and altitude.

First of all, it can be incredibly windy here (especially at the top of the crater) and cold, so be sure to dress warmly and appropriately. I recommend a jacket and hiking pants–both to keep you warm and to protect you from the sun exposure. Even though we got a little toasty on our hike, we appreciated them as soon as we returned to the top of the crater.

You’ll also want a hat for extra sun protection. But keep in mind that the wind can easily sweep it away (I almost lost mine 3 times!), and choose one that you can fasten somehow.

Secondly, it’s important to prepare for the change in altitude. It’s very common for tourists to get sick because of the high altitude and experience nausea, fatigue, headaches, and shortness of breath. What a way to ruin a perfect day! So before you visit Quilotoa, take some altitude sickness medication (you can buy it on Amazon for cheap), and make sure to bring plenty of water to help you stay hydrated.

Getting to Quilotoa Crater Lake

The most common way to visit this stunning volcanic lake is from the capital city of Quito. It takes about 3 hours to get from Quito to Quilotoa via the Panamerican Highway and the regional road up the mountain. Obviously, this is quite a trek (before the actual trek), but the views are wonderful and make for a very enjoyable drive. You’ll also pass several volcanoes, which is quite a unique experience!

While you can certainly rent a car and drive to Quilotoa on your own, I highly recommend visiting with a scheduled day tour. You’ll get to enjoy the panoramic views from a comfy bus or van, and you may get to make a few fun stops along the way as well. For example, we stopped at a traditional market and the gallery of Tigua’s first painter, Julio Toaquiza Tiagasi. As a local, our guide was also invaluable in translating, giving food recommendations, and providing insights about the Andes mountains.