Indigenous Ecuadorian Cotopaxi Province, and Laguna Quilotoa of Ecuador.

The indigenous village, llama and Pachamama ceremony in Ecuador.

Visiting the Cotopaxi Province area of Ecuador is very unique as it contains indigenous towns, local markets, and the famous volcano laguna de Quilotoa. 

Amazing view of the Quilotoa Laguna in the Cotopaxi province of Ecuador.

The indigenous village in the Cotopaxi province of Ecuador.

Traveling from Quito, the capital of Ecuador, approximately 2.5 hours into the Cotopaxi province was our assignment for getting acquainted with the indigenous of the region, the local markets, and the special Laguna Quilotoa. 

The indigenous local market in Saquisili, Ecuador.

The indigenous local market in Saquisili, Ecuador.

The first town that we visited was Saquisili. In that town, we visited the local market, which is similar to the Otavalo market but different in its size and location. The local market specializes in sales of food and agricultural products, where you can also buy animals, herbal remedies, and indigenous artisanal products. 

The indigenous local market in Saquisili, Ecuador.

Hospitality in the indigenous village in the Cotopaxi Province of Ecuador.

From the market, we visited a small indigenous village on the way. We were hosted by the indigenous family. In the house of the indigenous family, we witnessed the traditional way of living, and the production of local food from different crops of corn and potatoes. We enjoyed learning about the indigenous traditional prayer and the connection with Pachamama. 

Corn and potatoes crops of the indigenous village in the Cotopaxi Province of Ecuador.

We took some pictures with llamas and continued to our next destination: the town of Pujili. 

Llamas in the indigenous village on the way to the Laguna Quilotoa in Ecuador.

Llamas in the indigenous village on the way to the Laguna Quilotoa in Ecuador.

The Pujili canton is one of seven cantons in the Cotopaxi province in Ecuador. This small town, which is mostly populated by indigenous and mestizos, is known as a mix of European indigenous and local ancient tribes indigenous from the time of the Spanish empire. 

Together hiking at the Quilotoa loop of the Quilotoa Laguna of Ecuador.

Strolling the Pujili town brought us to getting into the tour of the Laguna Quilotoa. The route to the summit, the small town of Quilotoa, is generally done by the local bus. 

Entrance to the hike of the Quilotoa loop of the Quilotoa Laguna of Ecuador.

Hike of the Quilotoa loop of the Quilotoa Laguna of Ecuador.

The Quilotoa Laguna is a waterfield crater lake and the most western volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. The volcanic crater lake is a lake in a crater that is formed by explosive activity or collapse during a volcanic eruption. The Quilotoa Laguna’s caldera is 3 km wide and it was formed from the collapse of the dacite volcano. The caldera has accumulated to 250 meters deep crater lake which has a greenish color and lots of dissolved minerals. 

Beautiful view of the Quilotoa Laguna with the esmerald colored water in Ecuador.

The Quilotoa Laguna is inside the volcanic crater and the emerald color water is amazing to witness. A lot of people practice meditation in that area as its unique view is one-of-a-kind. 

Beautiful view of the Quilotoa Laguna with the esmerald colored water in Ecuador.

From the top of the Quilotia Laguna, there is a beautiful view of the Quilotia loop. It's one of the best landscapes of the Andes. After taking some photos, we hiked down to the lake itself to enjoy kayaking in the Laguna de Quilotoa.

Kayaking on the Quilotoa Laguna in Ecuador.

Hiking up, back to the town, was very difficult because of the difference of altitude. On the way, we met other indigenous that were celebrating matrimonial ceremonies in this location. 

Hiking down to the bottom of the Laguna Quilotoa in Ecuador.

I highly recommend taking the tour from Quito to this area of Ecuador to enjoy tranquility, culture, and environmental speciality for the indigenous Ecuadorian.