Ilaló

Gazing up at Ilaló, have you ever considered its silent story? Ilaló whispers tales of a time long past, a time before Quito sprawled at its feet. Ilaló, a dormant giant, stands watch over the valley, a mere 10 km southeast of Quito in the Pichincha province. This eroded stratovolcano, a relic of the Pleistocene epoch, reaches a height of 3,188 meters. Scientists estimate its age to be around 1.6 million years old. Imagine the landscape transformations Ilaló has witnessed. Early hunters and gatherers, as far back as 8000 BC, roamed the slopes of Ilaló, leaving behind obsidian tools as evidence of their presence. Much later, the Quitu people built their homes and intricate tombs in the shadow of Ilaló, their culture flourishing before the arrival of the Incas. From its vantage point, Ilaló saw the Inca conquer the Quitu, and then, in 1534, the Spanish conquistadors arrive to claim the land for their own. Ilaló watched as Quito, a fledgling city, grew into the bustling metropolis it is today. Even today, from its lofty perch, Ilaló offers breathtaking views of the Guayllabamba river basin, a verdant valley cradled by the Andes Mountains. Ilaló, a silent sentinel, its story etched into the very rock, reminds us of the deep history of this land.