Quilotoa Lake

Cotopaxi and Quilotoa are two of Ecuador's most famous and stunning natural attractions, both located in the Andes Mountains. They offer visitors unique experiences and breathtaking views of volcanic landscapes. Here's a comparison of Cotopaxi and Quilotoa: Cotopaxi: Volcano: Cotopaxi is an active stratovolcano and one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. It reaches an elevation of 5,897 meters (19,347 feet) above sea level. National Park: Cotopaxi is part of the Cotopaxi National Park, which covers a vast area surrounding the volcano. The park is a protected area known for its diverse ecosystems and outdoor activities. Outdoor Activities: Cotopaxi National Park offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, trekking, mountain climbing, horseback riding, and birdwatching. Climbing to the summit of Cotopaxi is a popular challenge for experienced mountaineers. Scenery: The landscape around Cotopaxi is characterized by highland grasslands, paramo ecosystems, and glaciers. The volcano's iconic snow-capped peak is a symbol of Ecuador's natural beauty. Access: Cotopaxi is located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Quito, making it relatively accessible from the capital city. Quilotoa: Lake and Caldera: Quilotoa is a water-filled caldera formed by the collapse of a volcano. The Quilotoa Crater Lake is a stunning emerald green color, attracting visitors from all over the world. Location: Quilotoa is located in the Cotopaxi Province, around 200 kilometers (125 miles) south of Quito. It is part of the Quilotoa Loop, a popular trekking route through the Andean highlands. Hiking and Trekking: The Quilotoa Loop offers trekkers a chance to explore rural Andean villages and experience the local culture. Hiking down to the Quilotoa Lake and back up is a challenging but rewarding experience. Scenery: Quilotoa's surroundings are characterized by rugged landscapes, traditional villages, and the striking emerald-colored lake within the caldera. Cultural Experience: The Quilotoa region is home to indigenous communities, offering visitors opportunities for cultural immersion and interaction with locals. Both Cotopaxi and Quilotoa offer travelers unique experiences and stunning vistas of Ecuador's volcanic landscapes. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or someone interested in local culture, visiting both attractions will provide an unforgettable journey through the Andean highlands.

Drive south from Quito to the Quilotoa area and visit its famous lagoon. Along the way, you'll admire the beautiful Andean landscape and stop at the Shalala viewpoint. Next, you'll visit the community viewpoint and descend to the lagoon. Once there, you'll have free time to hike and explore the area. You'll return on a path that connects the lagoon to the community viewpoint. It's an intense walk, so if you're not in good shape, simply climb on a mule that will pack you back to the viewpoint. After a lunch break, you'll also stop at a Tigua craft workshop, famous for its colorful products, and visit the Toachi's Canon.

Explore Baños, the adventure capital of Ecuador. Get to know stunning places such as Cotopaxi Volcano as well as the Quilotoa Lagoon - an unbelievable turquoise lake in the caldera of an active volcano. Once in Baños, enjoy a number of wonderful activities set against a beautiful backdrop of waterfalls and tropical greenery. This short tour makes for a great escape from Quito. Day 1: Quito - Cotopaxi - Quilotoa - Baños Get picked up from your hostel or hotel in Quito to begin the trip to Baños. You will stop along the way for a quick breakfast before arriving in Cotopaxi. Observe the stunning Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the country's most famous sights. Visit the Toachi River Canyon lookout point with some free time to enjoy the amazing landscape of Quilotoa Crater Lake. Depart for Baños and visit the famous "Swing at the End of the World" at La Casa del Árbol. Take in an amazing view of the gorgeous mountain landscapes. Enjoy a free evening to explore some of the local attractions. Feel free to visit the nearby thermal baths which gave Baños its name and go for a relaxing dip in these healing pools. Stay overnight in Baños.  Day 2: Baños - Quito Spend the morning exploring Baños at your leisure. Then, get picked up at Juan Montalvo Park to begin the day's activities. Ride a cable car over the Pastaza River and experience 360-degree views of waterfalls, mountains, and beautiful jungle landscapes. Visit the stunning Devil's Cauldron (Pailón del Diablo) Waterfall. Return to Baños for free time. Around 4:30 pm, get ready to get back to Quito, arriving around 7:30 pm for drop off at your hotel/hostel.

Day 1: Quito – Cotopaxi – Quilotoa - Baños You day starts with an early pick up from your hotel/hostel to go to Cotopaxi for the breakfast stop, you will have the chance to observe the stunning volcano on your way there. The next stop is the Toachi River lookout point, canyon’s deepest point , at 100 meters deep, and allow you to take in the view and learn a little about the canyon, after this you will continue your trip to Quilotoa. Once in Quilotoa, you will stop at the classic viewpoint to enjoy the stunning views of the Quilotoa volcano lake from one of the best viewpoints. You will depart Quilotoa after this, to make your way to Baños, around 3:00 pm. In Baños, you will visit the famous swing at La Casa del Árbol and take in an amazing view of the gorgeous mountain landscapes. You will have the afternoon free and spend the night in Baños. Day 2: Baños Around 8:15 am, you will be picked from Juan Montalvo Park to begin the day’s activities. The first stop will be at Pastaza River, to experience one of the most extraordinary sights you’ve ever seen, with 360-degree views of waterfalls, mountains, and beautiful jungle landscapes. After this, you will go the Devil’s Cauldron, get a view of the astonishing waterfall, which is one of the main highlights in Baños. You will then visit San Martín Adventure Park for zip-lining, canopy walks, rock climbing, trekking and more. The entry to the park is included with this tour. You will spend the second night in Baños. Day 3: Baños – Quito You will have the morning free in Baños to explore around or take part in one of the many exciting activities on offer. In the afternoon, you will depart from Baños to Quito, arriving around 7:30 pm. We will drop you off at your hotel/hostel.

Day 1: Quito - Cotopaxi Your day starts with an early pick up from your hostel or hotel in Quito to begin the trip to Baños. You will stop along the way for a quick breakfast before arriving in Cotopaxi. Around 9:00 am, you will visit the interpretation center and around 10:00 am, you will visit the Limpiopungo Lagoon. At 12:30 am, start the hike up to the José Rivas Refuge, enjoy the surrounding flora and fauna as we trek through the Andean paramo up to the famous landmark, Jose Rivas Refuge, located at 4864m. This refuge still functions as the active base camp for mountaineers planning to climb to the very peak of the volcano. We continue to a scenic lookout point to take in some unbelievable panoramic views of the Cotopaxi Volcano before beginning the descent. You will spend the night in Cotopaxi. Day 2: Cotopaxi - Quilotoa - Quito Around 8:15 am, you will depart for Quilotoa. We will stop at the Toachi River Canyon lookout point, and allow you to take in the view and learn a little about the canyon. Enjoy the stunning views of the Quilotoa volcano lake from one of the best viewpoints. Around 12:00 pm, you will start the guided hike to the Quilotoa Lagoon, walk down to the shore of the Quilotoa Lagoon and get to see this breathtaking volcanic lake up close. You will then have free time to explore around and have lunch, before departing back to Quito at 4:30 pm. You will arrive in Quito around 7:30 pm, we will drop you off at your hotel/hostel.

Embark on a full-day tour to Quilotoa Lagoon from Quito with lunch included. Visit an indigenous market(only Thursday and Sunday), an indigenous hut, and more. Explore the Quilotoa Lagoon, a unique tourist attraction in South America and one of the 15 most beautiful volcano crater lagoons in the world. Start your tour with a visit to the Saquisili indigenous market (only on Thursdays). This market is famous as a market where animals are being sold or exchanged for other goods. See the different fruits, vegetables, and food that are typical to the area. Interact with the indigenous salespersons and purchase something if you'd like. Visit an indigenous hut on the way to Toachi Canyon. See the routine life of an indigenous family, how they live, what they eat, and how they cultivate their crops. Leave a small tip here (1 to 3 USD is reasonable) to the indigenous family. Stop at the Toachi Canyon to see the spectacular view. Finally, arrive at the spectacular Quilotoa Lagoon. Hike down to the shores of the lagoon, rent a kayak, or rent a horse to climb back up. After that, have lunch. Enjoy paintings, culture, and the landscape of Tigua. Make a short visit to the market of the town of Romerillos(only Sundays)

Pick up from your hotel/hostel in Quito. Stop at to enjoy a delicious breakfast with stunning views. After breakfast, you will travel to Quilotoa, where you will visit the Toachi River Canyon and the traditional lookout point. Hike down to the shore of the Quilotoa Lagoon, where you can see this breathtaking volcanic lake up close, and enjoy your free time there. Take lunch at a local restaurant and before the way back to Quito, enjoy the extra free time exploring the Quilotoa community. Once back in Quito, you will be dropped off at your hotel/hostel.

After pick up from your hotel in the city of Quito, our experience begins towards to the Cotopaxi National Park by the north panamerican. Upon arrival the guide will show us the incredible variety of flora and fauna, we will be to see Cotopaxi Volcano with a height of 5897 meters (19350 ft). At the Limpiopungo lagoon, we will hike along the trail to capture awesome photos of the panorama between the lake and Cotopaxi. Upon arriving at the viewpoint of the Quilotoa lagoon, we will have a delicious local lunch. Quilotoa lagoon is one of the most impressive places we will see on this tour. The turquoise color of its waters is inside the crater of the Quilotoa volcano and this beautiful view forms one of the most beautiful landscapes in Ecuador. We will return to Quito in the afternoon to your Hotel

We will leave heading north, after an hour and a half of travel we will arrive and register our entry to the Cotopaxi National Park, a beautiful destination where the Cotopaxi volcano is located at 19,347 ft, in the company of the flora and fauna of the place, we will make a stop and walk in the Limopungo lagoon that with its wonderful landscapes complement the active volcano. After lunch we will head towards the Quilotoa lagoon in the Andenes de Zumbahua and we will make some stops such as in the community of Tigua and Cañon Toachi, indigenous places that have been inhabited by the Panzaleos in the Inca era. As the last place to visit we will go to the Quilotoa Lagoon, you can stay at the viewpoint or walk a little of the way around the lagoon.

Departure from Plaza Foch at 7:15 AM (Reina Victoria and Mariscal Foch) Departure from Plaza San Blas at 7:30 AM (Francisco de Caldas and Av. Pichincha). Visit the indigenous market of Saquisili or Pujili depending on the day. Painters of Tigua, we ask the painters to get on the buses to offer their products, if not, we will stop at the gallery. Visit Toachi Canyon. Entrance to the Quilotoa Lagoon. Hike to the Quilotoa crater and return (3 hours). Lunch. Return to Quito.