When we were in Quito we took a day trip to Laguna Quilotoa. Laguna Quilotoa is only 100 miles south of Quito but the drive took over 4 hours. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to get out of the city and see some of the beauty of the Central Sierras.
Not many trees when you get over 9000 feet but they still seem to be able to farm the land.

Do you see all the sheep?
The Central Sierras contain Ecuador’s most dramatic Andean scenery. It is famous for the Avenue of Volcanoes which contains eight of Ecuador’s ten highest peaks.
Chimborazo’s snow capped peak at 20,564 feet above sea level is the farthest point from the center of the earth and closest point to the sun.
Laguna Quilotoa is a lake in an extinct volcano. It was formed about 800 years ago after a massive eruption led to the collapse of the volcano. Locals believe that the lake is bottomless, and geologists estimate its depth at 800 feet. The mineral-rich water is 1300 feet below the rim.
We were really able to get off the beaten path because of the car (thanks Duke). It allowed us to see firsthand the Indigenous cultures that dominate the Central Sierras.
The indigenous people of Ecuador have a rich history dating back to even before the Incas. The oldest pottery ever found in all of the Americas was unearthed in Ecuador, dating to 11,000-4000 B.C..
Today approximately 25% of Ecuador’s population is made up of indigenous groups that can trace their heritage back to these early cultures. Seventy-five percent of the residents in the area of Laguna Quilotoa consider themselves of native descent. Each group has their own distinct identities; clothing and customs are the most distinguishing characteristics.
In each region we went to in Ecuador the outfits were basically the same, long skirt, poncho, and hat; however, the colors and embroidery were unique to each community. In the picture below the woman with the white poncho and black skirt is of the Salasaca.
The picture below was taken in Alausí which is in the Southern Sierra region.
The clothing of the indigenous women of this area is a lot more colorful and is adorned with intricate double-sided embroidery which they are known for.
In the vicinity of Cuenca the Cañari indígenas are easily recognizable by their white felt bowlers.
The indigenous live in tightly knit communities where everyone helps in voluntary communal work events. Artisanal work and subsistence agriculture bring in most of the money.
In Part Three I will share with you our visit to Otavalo, home to the Otavaleños. The Otavaleños are the most successful of the indigenous groups in Ecuador. So, stay tuned.