Quilotoa is an extinct volcano with a large lagoon in the crater. The picture says it all, it is quite simply stunning.

Our guidebook being slightly out of date, we caught a bus to a nearby town and then walked 12km (at 3,500+m) to the hamlet by the rim of the crater. In actual fact the bus we were on would have taken us the whole way, but hey the walk was good training. Plus we provided freak show entertainment for some local kids.

A point of interest in this region is that most of the women still wear full traditional dress - brightly coloured skirts and shawls topped off with a trilby.

The night was spent in a freezing cold hostal where the only other guests were a young German couple who were really not happy with the situation. They headed back to Latacunga first thing in the morning.

The food that was included in the room price meant my calorie intake was in single figures, just what you need for a high altitude hike.

So, at 8am the next morning, fully refreshed after 3 hours sleep and half a stale bun, we set off to hike around the rim of the crater.

It was absolutely breathtaking. Yes because of the altitude, but also because of the views. Both the crater lake and the surrounding canyon scarred mountain ranges are incredible. Amazing, although after 4 hours strenuous walking we decided to give the hike down to the lake (and back up) a miss.

Now back in Latacunga for a final night in Ecuador before heading to Peru. Ecuador has been an amazing experience. Aside from the enormously contrasting sights, we have also been a lot more exposed to the real Ecuador than we were in Colombia. A lot of tradition remains, and an awful lot of poverty/subsistence living. However, despite many warnings to the contrary, we have found the people to be warm, friendly and very welcoming. Obviously there's a lot we haven't been able to see, it would definitely warrant a return trip.