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.

This amazing and comfortable cultural private day trip starts at 8:00 a.m., from your hotel in Quito, driving through the "Avenue of the Volcanoes", and with a visit to the local indian Saquisili Market (Thursday)! The drive to Quilotoa Lake displays stunning views of the Andean mountains, passing the ancient canyon of the Toachi River, many indigenous communities and farmlands. Before lunch, in the location known as “Huayra Pungo”, we will visit a local indigenous hut, where you will have the opportunity to interact with the inhabitants of the hut and perhaps, to learn few Kichwa words, which is the native language of this region! After this especial life experience, sharing some minutes with local people, you'll have lunch at a local charming restaurant! Then we have the opportunity to visit the local and unique market of Zumbahua (Saturday), where we are able to see the ancestral trading system of exchanging goods without any currency, called trueque! The tour includes a steep hike down into Quilotoa Crater, where is a sparkling-emerald-lake inside the extinct volcano, located at 3.600 meters above sea level (11,811 ft). The way back to the top, where the parking area is located, takes about one hour, or there is an option of renting a mule or a horse, with a comfortable settle, for your way back!! It is going to be very helpful and comfortable being on a private tour, due to the high altitude, so you'll be assisted by your tour guide every moment, and especially you'll take your time in every activity to make this day trip the best lifetime experience! You will be back in Quito approximately at 5:00 p.m., after having enjoyed this exclusive and unforgettable tour!