"Keep me in the Quil ..." a Laguna Quilotoa Travel Page by richiecdisc

The difference between off the beaten path and those more traveled on is only a matter of well…being traveled on. We’ve all seen it before when one of our little secrets becomes run of the mill on the travel wire. Now, these distinctions are of course subjective and one person’s idea of adventure is another’s common fodder. A case in point is Ecuador’s increasingly popular Quilotoa Loop. The massive crater lake Quilotoa has been a place of gathering amongst the indigenous population for generations and one look at the awe striking caldera explains why.

It has likewise been popular with the general population of Ecuadorians as a tourist destination though for admittedly shorter duration. But it has only been since the early 90s that it has become a target for gringos seeking adventure en route to the stunning lake created from a volcanic eruption some 800 years ago. Undoubtedly, what these early daring travelers found was that while the lake itself was indeed incredible it was the journey there that was the true find. Passing through relatively unchanged villages on foot, horseback, or via the local bus was not only a life enhancing experience, it was fun. One noteworthy trekking guidebook was published and its info later syndicated by the Lonely Planet and a “new” path was created for the intrepid traveler.

A few years later and it’s one of the ‘in” places to travel in Ecuador. Has all this notoriety ruined this rural paradise? So far the answer is no. Will a steady if slow trickle of gringos be its downfall? Not if those passing through remember to respect local customs and the local people, to leave as little of their trace as possible and hence keep off the beaten path just that.