Hike to the spectacular Quilotao Lagoon on a full-day, guided hiking trip from Quito that includes transport, a market visit, and lunch at a local restaurant. You'll encounter vibrant Andean cultures, trek into a collapsed volcanic caldera, and visit a mountain village known for traditional artwork. This small-group tour is limited to 12 people for personal service from the guides.
Eat lunch at a local restaurant
Quilotoa Lagoon hiking trip from Quito
Visit an indigenous market
Hike into a volcanic crater
Tour a traditional arts village
Pickup and drop-off from a central location in Quito
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
Transportation from Quito to Quilotoa and back (hotels within the urban perimeter ONLY)
Bilingual Guide
Guided Hike in Quilotoa Lagoon and visit to a local market (market place depends on day of the week)
Lunch
Exclusions
Entry fee to Quilotoa Lagoon USD $2 per person
Items
activities not mentioned on the itinerary
Breakfast or other meals aside form Lunch
Gratuities (optional)
Departure & Return
Departure point
Thursdays & Sundays: (Meeting Point)Barrio Mariscal in Quito - Ecuador ( Magic Bean Restaurant or Q Restaurant, both located at Barrio Mariscal at Mariscal Foch y Juan León Mera). Note: The exact point of departure will be informed upon confirmation. Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat: Your hotel in Quito - Please infrom us of your hotel of stay (hotels within the urban perimeter ONLY) .
Departure Time
Thursdays & Sundays: (Meeting Point)7:00am. Please arrive at the meeting point (La Mariscal) at least 10 min before departure timeMon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat: (your hotel in Quito)8h00 - 9h00am. Starting time may change. Pick-up time will be confimed in the Service Voucher send by the Tour Operator through the Viator plataform. Note: Please be ready at your hotel lobby 10 min before departure time.Times are subject to change due to local traffic conditions.
Return Details
Original departure point
What To Expect
Meet a guide and a group of hikers at a central location in Quito, arriving at 6:45 with warm and weatherproof clothing for a 7am departure. Leave the city on the Pan-American Highway, stopping in Latacunga City on your way to the Andean village of Quilotoa. You'll get a firsthand experience of the Andes' indigenous culture at a local market"”depending on the day, you'll visit a Saquisil, Pujili, or Zimbahua market"”then continue to the town of Zimbahua to start the hike, a total of 103 miles (166 km) from Quito. Descend towards the edge of the Quilotoa Lagoon, which has pooled in the crater of a collapsed volcano, and enjoy views across the dramatic mountain landscape. Most visitors make the hike from the viewing platform to the water in 30 minutes, and the uphill hike in 1 to 2 hours, climbing 919 feet (280 meters) along the way. If desired, you may hire a mule or horse for the return trip, making only the hike to the lake on foot. Refuel with a hearty lunch at a local restaurant, then visit the town of Tigua, a community known for paintings made with chicken feather brushes on sheep hide canvases, depicting scenes of mountain life and culture. In the late afternoon, begin the return trip to Quito, where this tour concludes with drop-off at the original departure point.Please Note: Quilotoa is located at 12,467 feet (3,800 meters), so guests should plan to allow at least one day to acclimatize in Ecuador before booking this trip.
Additional Info
Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
What to bring: Warm clothes, eaterproof jacket, gloves, sunscreen, hat, hiking shoes, extra pair of socks, extra pants
Clothing Suggestions: Comfortable and warm clothes (appropriate for location). Comfortable hiking shoes, walking stick
Note: The tour is not private. Travelers will share services with a group. Maximum people per tour is 12
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.