Getting lost at Lake Quilotoa

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Big day today. The plan is to take a transport to Lake Quiloatoa and then walk back to Chugchilan crossing the big gorge in between. The lake is quite high, at ~14000ft (4267m). Its a crater lake and very beautiful. The way is suppose to be well made, though not marked, so we were worried about not finding it and ending up on other side of the lake. In the morning we took a local jeep transport to get to the lake. It was obviously quite cold. The lake was indeed very beautiful. Very interesting colour of water, surrounded by crater walls. It was cold and windy here. We started on our loop. There is a loop hike along the lake, and there is a cut off towards the village. We had read that cut off is not well marked and people have gotten lost here and ended up doing the loop instead. So we were obviously worried about that. So we took the first reasonable looking cut off out of the loop trail. It looked like a well made trail. So we started on it, going down. Then the trail started to become dicey. We kept walking, at least the direction seemed right. Then we hit a few houses, which was assuring. But soon it became quite clear that we are not on the right trail. It had started getting narrow and steep. Near the houses we met a small boy, he offered to show is the way down to the river for a small fee. Ok, that's better. So we "hired" him as our guide. He took us through some more steep goat trails. It was very clear now that we were nowhere near the real trail, and were mostly lost.

The boy as promised dropped us to the river. But where on the river! No idea! So we asked him how do we get back to Chugchilan. He was not willing to climb back with us on the other side of the gorge and just pointed to go straight up and you will see the road that will take you to Chugchilan. Well, how much up? How far? No idea. So here we are mostly lost. Since this was land devoid of trees we were at least able to see the top, but no trail to get there. There was no choice though, going back to find the real trail was not an option. So we started upwards on other side, hoping we were hit the road or some sort of trail. At one point there was a very scary crossing on a narrow ledge with 100ft or so drop below. We decided not to cross it and head in other direction. Following some goat trail and keeping upwards movement we finally somehow reached a tar road. Good, at least we are less lost now. But which direction is Chugchilan? Left or Right? Based on the fact that we took the turn off quite early at the lake, we are way west, and should be heading left. Sounds good. So we turn left on the road and start walking again. Its going a bit downhill, which is probably good. There are no people or vehicles on the road at this time.

Soon we start seeing small foot trails to short cut the road. Then some people who we ask about Chugchilan. Its far! We are way off! Very tired by now. The road soon degenerates into worse road going down and down. We are almost at the river again. Gosh! so much up and then so much down, and now we need to climb up again to reach the village. I am almost in tears and can't believe I can climb up to village again. Still we keep going, time is also running out and we have no idea how far we are, so we can't even take a longer rest. We definitely were not prepared for such a long and tough hike. We stick to the road. Soon we start seeing other side of the gorge again, where we came from, then a small village with church on other side. This I had seen from the hotel also. Which is good sign, we are headed in right direction. Soon the real trail becomes quite clear on the other side. It was way ahead of where we took the pseudo trail from, and it was as clear as trails go. If only we had stuck to the loop some more. Anyway, we keep walking and walking. Before death comes the village. Yippee! Finally we are there, hungry and tired. What an adventure!

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Photos

Our trail
the one we took and not the right one

The chasm
we did not want to cross this, it was scary!

Mid-village
That is where we should have been!