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Quilotoa Lagoon: Andean Tradition & Nature
4.5
4 Ratings
Pujili
Embark on a private tour to Quilotoa Crater Lake, Ecuador’s westernmost volcano. Explore the stunning lake, hike to its shores, and discover indigenous markets along the way.
Embark on a private tour to Quilotoa Crater Lake, Ecuador’s westernmost volcano. Explore the stunning lake, hike to its shores, and discover indigenous markets along the way.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Pujili - Explore the lively Indigenous market of the day, whether in Pujilí or Saquisilí, a vibrant center of local culture. Delight in the colorful stalls, witness the bustling trade of Andean goods like fresh fruits and vegetables, and immerse yourself in the traditions of the Sierra (Highlands).
- Tigua - After the market visit, unleash your…
- Pujili - Explore the lively Indigenous market of the day, whether in Pujilí or Saquisilí, a vibrant center of local culture. Delight in the colorful stalls, witness the bustling trade of Andean goods like fresh fruits and vegetables, and immerse yourself in the traditions of the Sierra (Highlands).
- Tigua - After the market visit, unleash your creativity in the renowned Tigua community. A local artist will introduce you to their ancestral techniques, such as painting on sheepskin. The highlight? You’ll create and take home your own Andean artwork as a special memento of your trip.
- Canon del Rio Toachi - Pause at this strategic location to enjoy an unparalleled panoramic view of the deep canyon that embraces the Quilotoa Lagoon. This breathtaking scene features turquoise waters contrasting dramatically with the surrounding volcanic crater.
- Laguna Quilotoa - Embark on a descent to the crater floor, where the lagoon awaits. Relish the unique experience of being at the base of the extinct volcano and the serenity by the water’s edge. For the return journey to the rim, choose between a challenging hike or renting a mule for a more comfortable ascent. For the adventurous, take the chance to hike down to the lagoon’s shore and then climb back up (on foot or by mule for an additional fee).
- Quilotoa - LUNCH TIME - Take a well-earned break for lunch. Your guide will suggest a local venue where you can enjoy authentic Andean cuisine, providing a genuine immersion into the region’s culinary flavors and traditions.
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from/to centrally located hotels in Quito
- Bottle of purified water
- Professional bilingual Guide
- Entrance fees
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from/to centrally located hotels in Quito
- Bottle of purified water
- Professional bilingual Guide
- Entrance fees
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Tips
- Entrance fee Tigua Community ($10 per person)
- Hotel pick-off and drop-off outside of the city. The extra cost can range from $30 till $70 depending on the number of passengers and location
- Mule rental for return from the crater (optional)
- Food and drinks
- Tips
- Entrance fee Tigua Community ($10 per person)
- Hotel pick-off and drop-off outside of the city. The extra cost can range from $30 till $70 depending on the number of passengers and location
- Mule rental for return from the crater (optional)
Additional Information
Discover the marvels of the Andes with this tour, which blends stunning landscapes and rich culture in just one day. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of a traditional market, experiencing the local way of life. Then, unleash your creativity in the Tigua community, where you can not only watch the creation of their renowned paintings but also…
Discover the marvels of the Andes with this tour, which blends stunning landscapes and rich culture in just one day. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of a traditional market, experiencing the local way of life. Then, unleash your creativity in the Tigua community, where you can not only watch the creation of their renowned paintings but also learn the techniques from local experts to craft your own mini-masterpiece. Conclude your adventure with a stroll along the edge of an extinct volcano, taking in the breathtaking turquoise hue of its lagoon.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Dress code is smart casual
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- Operates in all weather conditions, weather may vary please dress appropriately
Location
Pujili
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(4 Ratings)
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Sveny5
May 29, 2018
Excellent guide and tour, beautiful views - We booked the private day trip to Quilotoa. Andean Roots Travel was quick to respond to any questions that I had regarding booking the tour. Juan Carlos was our guide and arrived promptly at our Airbnb at the pick up time. Luis was our driver which allowed Juan Carlos to sit in the small shuttle bus by us and tell us about what we saw on the way. He spoke excellent English and explained that he took over 3 years of college classes specifically to become a guide and then moved to the US for over a year to improve his English. He was extremely easy to talk with and we learned so much about Ecuador from him. We stopped along the way at an art gallery/gift shop and Juan explained the meaning of many of the paintings to help us understand the Ecuadorian culture. The drive went by quickly as the views were amazing. We then arrived at the crater and Juan took pictures of our family from the top and then at stops on the way down. We spent time at the bottom and then hiked back up. My husband took a mule as the altitude affected him. My teenagers and I hiked up. While it is a long way up, as long as you go slowly it was fine. The path is wide with lots of switch backs. Much like Santorini, you do have to watch out for animal droppings on the path. We then had lunch at a wonderful restaurant with Juan and travelled home. Overall, an outstanding tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jordan
Mar 18, 2018
This tour was absolutely incredible... - <p>This tour was absolutely incredible! The drive was long to Quilotoa from Quito but the bus was great and we made a number of amazing stops along the way! We stopped for some gifts, food, beautiful sites and met some amazing people who live in the mountains. Jorge was our tour guide and he was knowledgeable and fun! The lake was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in my life. The hike down was tough but really fun, and riding horses up was amazing. If you go to ecuador this is a must do!</p>
Review provided by Viator
Terrance
Nov 27, 2025
Good time on Quitoloa tour. - This was a very good tour by Christian, our driver and guide. He spoke English well and was very knowledgeable about everything Ecuadorian. It was a long way to drive however, taking about 6 hours out of the 10 hour day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Keukgirl
Sep 25, 2018
Private tour to Quilotoa - We drove from Quito to Laguna Quilotoa. The car was nice and clean. The driver was lovely, but not fluent in english. We got through the day with his English, our Spanish and lots of sign language. Due to the language barrier he was not able to answer many of our questions.......I'd confirm your guide will be fluent...wish we had.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
