Quilotoa Trek

For the first time we have come into contact with other travellers on this famous hike so we realise we are not entirely in the off season after all. As soon as we piled onto the bus at Latacunga there they were.

Before my very eyes there was a market day right out of the bus!

When the bus dropped us off we were at the Quilotoa Crater Lake.

Crater Lake was awesome

This trek took us through ancient trading trails that thread through gorges and mountains, linking indigenous villages that gather on market days.

Typical pastoral scenery fringed with high mountains and gorges

The accommodation was rustic with a wood fired stove the first night. Jo was quite taken by the method to light the stove with a gas flame thrower, no kindling required!

Market day dawned with a massive effort with a 600m climb to the village of Guantualo. Great having extra time to go off the beaten track, we were the only foreigners.

Deep fried pork took Jo's fancy

While Julie preferred rice and chicken for $1

Our accommodation in Insilivi was our favourite at Llullu Llama with a adobe cottage with exposed wood, fireplace and vast views.

Getting lost was something we experienced often, locals always ready to help 

A typical farm house this one complete with turkeys, geese, ducks and pigs

 Last leg was back to our starting point with a trek round the crater, with the altitude higher than Aoraki, NZ.

We couldn't believe that as much as we snarled and shouted at these dogs they followed us most of the way round the loop and were our best friends