Quilotoa Loop
Quilotoa Loop is in Ecuador.
Understand
The Quilotoa Loop (or Quilotoa circuit) is a remote, bumpy, mountainous road linking several high Andean villages and towns with the city of Latacunga. It offers one a chance to get off the Pan American highway and see some of the more remote people and culture of the central Andes of Ecuador.
Prepare
Get in
Go
If travelling from Sigchos to Chugchillan there is only one way to travel - by milk van.
You will probably need a little Spanish to attempt this. The milk van is open topped with a large canvas to keep it covered. Locals often use the van to get between the two small villages. Of course, it takes longer than the bus because of the milk deliveries, but jumping up onto the back of the truck and then standing up with your head sticking out the top as you go around little mountain roads is well worth it.
Get up early and wait on the corner (with the bakery) by the bus station at around 06:30 (time varies so maybe get there at 06:00 and wait). There will probably be a few locals waiting around.
You may need to pay the driver extra to get off about 400 m away from the Cloud Forest Hostel.
Stay safe
There are some numbers of undomesticated dogs along the trail. Although there is generally no issue there is always risk of aggressive encounters and you should keep a hefty walking stick with you while you walk.
Go next
Consider travelling onwards to San Luis de Pambil