The Quilotoa Lagoon is one of the 15 lagoons of volcanic origin appreciated as the most beautiful in the world according to Twistedsifter. In the article published by this website under the name "15 of the most beautiful volcanic lakes in the world", readers are invited to enjoy this mysterious wonder of nature through a photo gallery that describes the lagoons according to their charm.
The Quilotoa is the westernmost volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes, within its crater a caldera with a diameter of almost 9 km has formed. This is the product of the collapse of the volcano, which occurred about 800 years ago. According to studies, the volcanic flow managed to reach the Pacific Ocean.
In the 250 m deep caldera, a lagoon has formed. The minerals have given the surface a greenish and bluish hue when it is hit by sunlight. Inside, there are springs that from the shore, can be perceived as bubbling trails that rise to the surface.
he popularity of the Quilotoa is due to the beauty of its places and the spectacle of the calm waters. In the community of Quilotoa, also known as the Route of the "Summit" and which is accessed by bus from the town of Zumbahua, visitors can do ecotourism and adventure tourism with a high dose of adrenaline or simply contemplate the nearby landscapes. .
Even this place is close to what many researchers assume as the last resting place of the Inca Atahualpa, so this was the last sacred route of the Incas. Visiting Quilotoa is an overwhelming experience at approximately 4 thousand meters above sea level.
How to get ?
Tourists who visit the volcano and the Quilotoa lagoon use the frequencies of buses that daily and at different times leave for Latacunga and from this city, they use the services that link Latacunga, PujilÃ, Zumbahua (64.33 km) and from this town to Quilotoa (12.67 km). The approximate time of arrival from Latacunga to the Mirador de Quilota is 1 hour.
Where to Stay?
In the Quilotoa, Zumbahua, Tigua, Shalalá, Chugchilán, Itupungo and Guayama San Pedro communities, different types of accommodation are offered, such as inns, hotels, cabins, hostels and inns. They also rent horses and means of water transport such as kayaks and boats, supporting the practice of sports activities carried out in the radius of influence of the Quilotoa Tourist Circuit, such as Trecking, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Camping and High Rodeo.