PULULAHUA VOLCANO DAY OFF

Our Red Hat goes to this extinguished volcano for familiar eco-amusement…

By C. Lemos

Pululahua Volcano is located only 25 km. north from Quito. About a 35 min. drive.

On the way you can clearly notice that you descend of altitude, from 2800 where Quito is located to aprox. 2480 m above sea level. We recommend to go there in the morning because at the afternoon it is mostly cloudy and colder.

Taking the Manuel Cordova Galarza Highway the landscape in the near area becomes kind of light orange-yellow, drier and steep. There are a lot of quarries in this zone, it is where most of the construction materials come from to build in Quito. The climate becomes warmer as soon as we get closer to Pomasqui and San Antonio Villages and pass by the Middle of the World monument, a visit to the monument is a must when visiting Quito surroundings.

5 km. ahead we find the road that bring us to Pululahua. This portion of the road is also paved, it takes us to higher altitudes. There is a look out point with a parking lot, and from where you can have a first appreciation of the internal huge crater (8 km. diameter).

Up there it is really impressing to see such dimension of internal valley. We feel the wind and the clouds can cover the crater in just a few minutes, that is probably where its name comes from: Pululahua means “Smoke of Water” in Quechua language. This place is considered by many, as a full filled-energy place, probably also due to its closer position to the Parallel 0.

The surroundings and slopes of the volcano were declared Geo-Botanical Reserve, protecting more than 53 botanical and 21 animal endemic species. This makes it a special and preferred study destination for Biology and Ecology students to do field research. The Volcano was declared National Park back in 1969. The crater is actually one of the sole two populated craters in the world, its first inhabitants were the Incas, later the Dominican Monks and then in Republican times these lands were taken by the State but finally given to the local farmers in 1979.

In the look out point you can usually find other visitors trying to get its best shot and there are also little shops to buy a small souvenir.

At the right side you will find a narrow path that descends to the crater, this path is very rocky, it is recommendable that you bring good shoes and take very much care when going down if you decide to do so. This is a good option to observe the different species of birds, insects and flora. However, there is the chance to get inside the crater also by using a vehicle.

It took us aprox. 30 min. by car to get into the valley. The people we found were very friendly, they are used to the extreme weather changes, it can be as warm as 25o C and cold as 7o C.

People raises cattle, horses, porks, in little farms located next or in their houses backyard. They own fields of potatoes and corn, which are the products of cold and high altitudes, but a few kilometers further it becomes tropical, you can even find sugar cane, oranges and avocado fields.

Families or groups of friends go there to make a nice picnic, to take a breath of pure air, to relax, to admire the beautiful nature, to observe birds, to enjoy of a rustical ambiance.

If picnicking is not your style, there is an international restaurant right in there.

The little hill located inside the crater is called Pondoa, it is a little volcan that was still active around the 60’s. But then it turned totally inactive.

The weather can be so dramatic allowing the presence of different species. You can find Pine Trees… usually a cold climate tree.

It is very safe to visit Pululahua because there is absolutely not risk of eruptions anymore. The crater is surrounded by rock walls, and people have been living here for centuries. There are internal roads that connect the crater with the outer highways.

There are many legends that still are told by the inhabitants, as an important energetic place, people assure to have seen UFO’s, and legends about Inca spirits.

Close to Pululahua you will find other small villages, if you want to see rustical estructures and learn more about the rural life style you can visit Infiernillo and San Jose Nieblí.

While visiting Puluahua please consider:

• Bring light and warm clothes.
• Bring small amounts of money, you will need it to pay the toll $0.30, and the entrance fee to the Geo-Botanical Reserve $5 p.p
• Good walking shoes, rain coat, hat, sunscreen.
• There are no shops there, bring enough film and batteries for your camera or dvd recorder
• Bring enough drinking water.
• Do not throw garbage, take memories and leave footprints