quilotoa lagoon emerald green colour
village settled under the mountains
group of people trekking to the quilotoa lagoon
green landscape with purple lupine flowers
little church on the toachi river canyon
impressive views of the quilotoa lagoon
animals eating at the isinlivi accommodation door
interior of the room of the isinlivi accommodation
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Quilotoa Loop Tour

Discover the emerald green of the Quilotoa Lagoon and the rural life of the Andes

(4 reviews)
Latacunga
3 days
Spanish and English
Starts: From your accommodation in Latacunga at 9:00 a.m.
Ends: To your lodging in Latacunga at 5:00 p.m.
Free cancellation!

Briefing

The Quilotoa Loop Tour will give us the opportunity to get to know the authentic rural life of the Andes, passing through the villages of indigenous and mestizo ethnic groups. Among the incredible places we will visit during these 3 days is the beautiful Quilotoa Lagoon, famous for its emerald green color and considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It is located in the crater of a volcano, which makes it even more unique. We will also see other spectacular landscapes such as deep canyons, paramo ecosystems and snow-capped volcanoes. 

On the other hand, we offer you the option of sleeping in hostels in our standard version, or sleeping in lodges in our premium version that also includes luggage transport. You decide!

The tour includes all the required high-mountain technical gear: boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet, headlamp, glacier glasses, sleeping bag and more, so you can focus entirely on the adventure.

Below we tell you all the details of the tour 🙂:

Tour details

Included

  • Expert nature guide
  • Public or private transportation Latacunga - Quilotoa - Latacunga
  • Accommodation in hostels or lodges
  • Full board meals
  • Luggage transport (premium version)
  • Access ticket to Quilotoa
  • Mountain equipment

Not included

  • Other beverages
  • Trekking poles (available for rent 5 USD/day)
  • Waterproof jacket (available for rent for 5 USD/day)
  • Backpack (available for rent Large: 5 USD/day - Small: 3 USD/day)

Important information

Mountain equipment included in the tour

The tour includes all the necessary technical mountain equipment: high mountain boots (sizes 37–47), crampons, ice axe, harness with carabiner, helmet, headlamp with batteries, glacier goggles, balaclava, gaiters, fleece gloves, mittens, fleece pants and overtrousers. Purified water, a sleeping bag with sheet and a thermos are also provided.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation!

If you cancel at least 46 days before the tour starts, you will receive a 100% refund of the amount paid. If you cancel between 45 and 31 days before the start of the tour, you will receive a 75% refund of the amount paid. If you cancel between 30 and 16 days before the start of the tour you will receive a 50% refund of the amount paid. After this time or in case of not doing the activity, no refund will be made and it will not be possible to modify the reservation.

Tour itinerary

DAY 1 Latacunga - Sigchos - Isinlivi

Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Starting elevation: 2,900 masl
Highest elevation: 2,950 masl
Difficulty: easy

09:00 A.M.

Pick up at the lodge 

The Quilotoa Loop Tour will start with the pick up at our hotel at 9:00 A.M. We will board our private transportation and travel 1 hour and a half until we reach Sigchos, seeing the mountainous landscapes of the place.

views from the Sigchos mountains

Hike to Isinlivi

Once we arrive, we will begin a downhill hike to 2,650 meters above sea level to head to another village, known as Isinlivi. Here we will have the opportunity to enjoy the views of the snow-capped peaks of the Ilinizas. We will also see the beautiful corn fields and other crops, highlighting the purple lupine flowers whose seeds are edible and have a high protein content. We will then have dinner and spend the night at the hostel or lodge, depending on the version you select when booking the tour.

field of purple lupine flowers

DAY 2 Isinlivi - Chugchilan

Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Starting elevation: 2,950 masl
Highest elevation: 3,197 masl
Difficulty: moderate

Beginning of the hike

After breakfast, we will begin our second day's hike. We will descend to the canyon of the Toachi River, enjoying the incredible views it offers and experiencing the rural life of the Andes.

toachi river tour

Chugchilan

We will continue walking and ascend again to 3,000 meters above sea level to reach the road where we will continue walking until we reach the village of Chugchilan. If you select the standard version, you will sleep in a small hostel with a nice garden; if you select the premium version, you will sleep in a lodge.

views of the mountains of chugchilan

DAY 3 Chugchilan - Quilotoa - Latacunga

Hiking time: 6 hours
Starting elevation: 3,100 masl
Highest elevation: 3,850 masl
Difficulty: moderate

Quilotoa Lagoon

Today, one of the most impressive places of this tour awaits us: the Quilotoa Lagoon, considered one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. After a 6-hour hike, we will arrive at the crater located at 3,900 meters above sea level. Take the opportunity to enjoy these views and the changing colors of the lagoon water.

quilotoa lagoon

Return to Latacunga

After lunch, we will resume the hike until we reach Quilotoa, where a transfer will pick us up to return to Latacunga and put an end to these 3 days in the Quilotoa Loop Tour.

llamas in the quilotoa lagoon

What to bring to Quilotoa Loop tour

To ascend to the Quilotoa Lagoon, it is necessary to have appropriate clothing and equipment.

You should bring:

  • 30–40 liter backpack (for ascents) or 50–60 liters if going to Campo Alto
  • Several layers of warm and waterproof clothing: thermal underwear, mountain socks, long-sleeve shirt, long pants, waterproof jacket and pants
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher) and lip protection
  • Personal toiletries and any required medication

The tour includes:

  • High-mountain boots (sizes 37–47)
  • Crampons, ice axe, and harness with carabiner
  • Mountain helmet and glacier goggles
  • Headlamp with batteries
  • Balaclava, gaiters, fleece gloves, mittens, fleece pants, and overtrousers
  • Sleeping bag with sheet and thermos flask
  • Purified water

Available for rent at the office:

  • 30–40 liter backpack (USD 3/day)
  • 50–60 liter backpack (USD 5/day)
  • Jacket (USD 5/day)
  • Trekking poles (USD 5/day per pair)

Where does the tour Quilotoa Loop start

The tour begins at your accommodation in Latacunga at 9:00 AM, where the team and guide will pick you up to start the adventure. At the end of the activity on the third day, you will return to your accommodation around 5:00 PM.

Questions & Answers

  • What mountain equipment is included in the tour?

    The tour includes all the necessary high-mountain technical equipment: boots, crampons, ice axe, harness with carabiner, helmet, headlamp, glacier goggles, balaclava, gaiters, gloves, mittens, fleece pants and overpants. A sleeping bag with sheet, thermos, and purified water are also provided. You only need to bring your personal clothing, toiletries, medication, and a backpack.

  • What climate can we find in Ecuador?

    Ecuador does not have four distinct seasons with large temperature changes. But it does have a rainy season from October to May and a dry season from June to September.

  • What is the difference between the standard version and the premium version?

    In the standard version you will sleep in hostels and the transportation is public. On the other hand, in the premium version you will sleep in lodges, the transportation is private and, in addition, luggage transportation between lodges is included.

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