The Quilotoa Volcano and its Lake: a Nature's Work of Art

The Quilotoa Volcano and its Lake: a Nature's Work of Art

When we talk about the Quilotoa Volcano and its lake, we are talking about one of Ecuador's most amazing landscapes. Pictures of the lake have appeared in a great amount of touristic publications around the world; and its beautiful landscape has also been the most photographed subject by tourists visiting the country. This nature's magnificent work is located in the Andean region, at the Cotopaxi province. The mysterious lake, whose emerald green waters lie at the bottom of the volcano's crater, hypnotizes with its beauty.

The story of the lake takes us 800 years back, when the world witnessed the Quilotoa Volcano's great eruption that made its crater larger, to its current size of 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) wide. Ever since then, the extinct crater accumulated water that eventually formed a 250m (820ft) deep lake, whose waters' striking beautiful color is due to the accumulation of minerals dissolved in them.

To get to the lake, we arrive to the Quilotoa village, located approximately two and a half hours far from the city of Latacunga, Cotopaxi where, after a 5-minutes uphill walk, surrounded by mountains and precipices, we will arrive to the impressive lake that can't be seen until you get to the edge of the crater.

The strong wind adds up to the beauty of the place, with its indigenous houses and its local artists selling the famous Tigua paintings. Just being part of this landscape could be enough for make the place worth visiting; nonetheless, there are various activities that can be done there. You can go down the winding and steep crater's path for 45 meters (147ft) to reach the lake, where the tranquility and the feeling of inner peace are simply indescribable. The guiding and mule renting services also make it easier and more comfortable to do 5-hour long expeditions around the crater and its surroundings.

Certainly, the Quilotoa Lake is an inspirational place. Its beautiful landscape of freedom and joy can only be half seen through pictures. It is a truly unique world treasure, hidden inside the most western volcano of Ecuador. The route to the Quilotoa's peak is a real testimony of Nature's perfection.

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