Laguna Quilotoa

The first glimpse of Laguna Quilotoa is unforgettable. From the rim of the crater, the lake sits far below, its deep turquoise waters filling the remains of an ancient volcano high in the Ecuadorian Andes.

The walk down was easy enough. Coming back up was another story. With every step, the altitude made itself known. 

The climb felt steeper than it looked, and the thin air demanded patience. More than once, I stopped to catch my breath and look back across the crater.

Perhaps that is the gift of places like Quilotoa. They slow you down just enough to appreciate where you are.

28th March 2023

Quilotoa Lagoon

Ecuador.