The turquoise eye of the Andes, in one weekend.
Quilotoa, at 3,914 m, is a volcanic caldera cradling a luminous turquoise lake inside its crater and one of the most photogenic spots in the Ecuadorian Andes. This fully guided weekend trek, operated end to end by PEAKS, pairs the crater rim, the lakeshore and a stretch of the famous Quilotoa Loop, with an early Saturday departure.
On day one we drive up the Avenue of the Volcanoes, reach the first view of the lake and descend to the shore, with optional kayak. We spend the night in a local lodge and, on day two, walk the crater rim and part of the loop before heading back on Sunday evening.
It is an accessible high-altitude trek, ideal for travelers who want dramatic scenery without technical climbing. It pairs beautifully with El Altar or an acclimatization summit for a fuller Andes itinerary.
