The Pululahua crater

The Pululahua is an inactive volcano, and its highest tip is abouts 3360 m it is supposed that its last eruption was in 500 Before Christ.

Nowadays you can enjoy the crater landscape from a place (3129m N 00°01.549 W 78°28.969) where the hikking starts. Down in the crater there are old houses, small hostels and farms.

This Geobotanic reserve, because of its peculiar geography, has a great diversity of flora, birds, mammals and insects. It is located in the west mountain range in PIchincha province and it is surrounded by another volcanic domes such as: El Placer, Maucaquito, El Hospital, El Chivo, La Marca y Loma Mirador.

Climbing El Chivo (3001m N 00°02.254´ W 78°29.573´)is a funny trip and its landscapes are spectacular, you´ll reach the top of the hill in about 40 minutes.

From Quito you have to take the Manuel Córdova Galarza Ave. to San Antonio, and then to Calacalí until you get a sign (to the right) at the entrance of the reserve. You can take busses to there in Occidental Ave, or in the Metrovia Station (S 00°06.555 W 78°29.311), in La Ofelia neighborhood.

To go down the crater there is a zig-zag path, it takes half an hour and if you want you can hire biles or horses. In summer this place is very sunny in the morning but you will always find fog in the afternoon. There are more pictures of this interesting destination in our gallery