Quilotoa Loop

Just south of Quito, the Quilotoa Loop is a hiking paradise, offering stunning Andean views as it winds through the highlands. Although gaining in popularity, this is still rather 'off the beaten track'. The route unofficially starts in the town of Latacunga and travels through many Andean villages, giving walkers the chance to meet the local people.

One of the highlights of the loop is the beautiful emerald Laguna Quilotoa, a lake in the crater of an extinct volcano. It was formed 800 years ago after a massive eruption caused the collapse of the volcano. The hike round the rim of the crater takes between 4 and 5 hours while the walk down to the lake edge takes about 2 hours. The loop does not have to be walked in its entirety. There are buses, though just 2 a day, that travel the circuit.