Travels around the world 2009-2024
Exploring our beautiful planet

The Quilotoa Loop

June 30, 2019  —  Ecuador
Isinliví-Guantualo-Guayama Grande-Chugchilán-Isinliví Loop - Ecuador

The Quilotoa loop is a circular road going around the famous Laguna Quilotoa. It's a popular itinerary with hikers since the roads and trails cross picturesque indigenous villages with nice markets, some spectacular mountain scenery, and the Laguna Quilotoa with its intense blue/green colour.

In 2005, when I visited the country, I did hike the loop. However, this time, I stayed 5 days in the small village of Isinliví at a campsite. Every day, I took the motorbike for a drive on small mountain roads toward nice villages where the people speak Kichwa. I even drove up to the Quilotoa Crater with the motorbike... the laguna will be the topic of my next post.

Isinliví - Ecuador
My campsite.

It was a very enjoyable week, and obviously I took lots of pictures. Here are some of the best ones, but keep in mind that a few images don't do justice to the scenery as you experience it with your own eyes.

Road from Pujilí to Isinliví - Ecuador
Road from Pujilí to Isinliví - Ecuador
Road from Pujilí to Isinliví - Ecuador
Cañón del Toachi - Ecuador
Cañón del Toachi - Ecuador
Road from Isinliví to Sigchos - Ecuador
Road from Isinliví to Sigchos - Ecuador
Road from Isinliví to Sigchos - Ecuador
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Market of Sigchos

Sigchos - Ecuador

The small market of Sigchos was not the most spectacular since it's located mostly inside a modern building built for that purpose. Nevertheless, it's a nice experience to be the only foreigner in the village.

Sigchos - Ecuador
I still don't understand how a person selling only brooms can buy such a vehicle (even the base 2x4 model). He/she must have another way to earn money.
Sigchos - Ecuador
The hygienic conditions are better than when I last visited over 14 years ago.
Sigchos - Ecuador
Sigchos - Ecuador
Sigchos - Ecuador
Sigchos - Ecuador
Sigchos - Ecuador
Sigchos - Ecuador
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Isinliví-Guantualo-Guayama Grande-Chugchilán-Isinliví Loop - Ecuador
Isinliví-Guantualo-Guayama Grande-Chugchilán-Isinliví Loop - Ecuador
Isinliví-Guantualo-Guayama Grande-Chugchilán-Isinliví Loop - Ecuador
Isinliví-Guantualo-Guayama Grande-Chugchilán-Isinliví Loop - Ecuador
Isinliví-Guantualo-Guayama Grande-Chugchilán-Isinliví Loop - Ecuador
Isinliví-Guantualo-Guayama Grande-Chugchilán-Isinliví Loop - Ecuador
Isinliví-Guantualo-Guayama Grande-Chugchilán-Isinliví Loop - Ecuador
Isinliví-Guantualo-Guayama Grande-Chugchilán-Isinliví Loop - Ecuador
The village of Guantualo.
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Market of Guantualo

Guantualo - Ecuador

The market of Guantualo is even smaller than the one in Sigchos, but it was more interesting due to the animal feria. Also, there is a strong presence of Kichwa people dressed in traditional clothes.

Once again, I was the only gringo in all the village. What a nice experience!

Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador
To be honest, I wasn't too eager to try the food from these ladies.
Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador
Pig skin is eaten in many Latino American countries.
Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador
Guantualo - Ecuador