Private Quilotoa Enchanted Crater Lake
Description
This full-day cultural tour begins with a visit to a local indigenous market at Saquilisilí or an historic church in Pujilí (Thursday/Sunday). The drive to Laguna Quilotoa displays a beautiful view of the Andean mountains, passing the ancient canyon of Zumbahua and many indigenous towns and farmlands. Before arriving at Quilotoa we will visit and incredible local gallery in Tigua, where we will have a short painting class to learn about the ancient techniques in this charming town. The tour includes a hike down into the Laguna Quilotoa, a sparkling emerald lake inside the inactive volcano crater. The return hike takes one hour, or there is the option of renting a mule for $12. We will arrive back to Quito in the early evening. We will arrive back to Quito in the early evening.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We will visit The Quilotoa lagoon, one of the most beautiful volcanic lagoons on the planet. The most significant feature of this lagoon, with a depth of 250 meters, is its turquoise green waters. The Quilotoa is the westernmost volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes, within its crater a caldera with a diameter of almost 9 km has been formed. We will hike down to appreciate how the minerals have given the surface a greenish and bluish hue when it is hit by sunlight. Inside, there are springs that, from the shore, can be seen as bubbling trails that rise to the surface.
We will visit the traditional Tigua town, where artists have always been known for decorating masks and drums for their festivals with precision and vibrant color. Their talented hands create an extravaganza of color and beauty that is beyond what would be expected from self-taught artists. Once in here you will have a painting lesson with the ancestral technique of painting on a sheepskin. You will take your creation as a souvenir to remember this unconventional experience.
We will visit the viewpoint of Toachi Canyon, a great geographical accident in the form of a gigantic ravine that partly crosses the reserve and is visible from a natural viewpoint in the vicinity of Sigchos. This geographical feature has a viewpoint to appreciate its beautiful landscape in whose deep interior runs the Toachi River, the main hydrographic axis of the Area.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick passengers from hotels located in Quito old town and new town.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(23)
Jeannin was an amazing guide! The drive to the highlands was gorgeous and Quilotoa Crater Lake was breathtaking! We recommend hiking boots and hiking sticks to assist with the footing, which can be challenging because it is steep. We would definitely do this trip with Jen again!
We had a great trip with Manuel, on July 3, 2023. Manuel was very knowledgeable about the area, about Quito, and Ecuador. We enjoyed getting to know him. The private tour gave us great flexibility, which was helpful because we were still acclimatizing to the altitude.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We are happy to know that you enjoy your travel. Definitely a private tour is a great optionwhen looking for flexibility. We hope to welcome you back in the future :)
An incredible experience thanks to Inspiring Ecuador for its seriousness. Your guides with their professionalism and empathy assisted us throughout the trip. In this time of pandemic they complied with biosecurity standards.
We are constantly asking ourselves: how to be happy?, and the answer is easy, we just need to take a risk, take your bag, activate a tour and open your mind for the experience, it is fortunate that on the way to this madness you know how to find people who sincerely cheer the trip and cheer you the decision you made, do not waste time travel in the best company.
Excellent pre-trip organization, detailed information about what we should take, meeting points, I could see that if they were complied with biosecurity protocols every time we got on the transport such as: disinfection of shoes before entering, temperature taking, disinfection of clothes, alcohol for hands and that we all wear masks inside and outside the bus. Very good guide with a lot of knowledge of the environment, knows the route and the locality very well. I would definitely travel with Inspiring Ecuador again. I recommend it.
Super nice experience and nice group had a great time. They took us to very nice places. I highly recommend them.
Of the three trips I have made with Inspiring I have been very satisfied with the Service, the adventures, their knowledge and above all that passion that they bring to reactivate tourism and give a hand to the communities to which we go. Thank you Inspiring for being that much needed link to help us all and value every corner of our beautiful country. I wish them well, I always consider Inspiring in my recommendations and I will definitely continue with more tours with them because I know I am in the best hands. Successes always!
It was a very good experience. With excellent people and guides. In addition to knowing beautiful places in our Ecuador, you meet extraordinary people. Inspiring Ecuador has provided us with all these opportunities.
The best experience with the best Inspiring Ecuador your professionalism the best guides and attention and always with the right biosecurity measures thank you for giving us unique and incredible moments 🙌🏻👏🏻👏🏻💚
Beautiful experience of being able to analyze and explore the beauties that Ecuador offers! The Quilotoa was wonderful, really a magical place!
