Today we will visit the picturesque volcano Quilotoa Lagoon, the Most Popular Trek in Ecuador.
This wonderful, full-day cultural tour begins with a visit to the Saquisilí (Thursday) or Pujilí (Sunday) Indigenous Markets. Not only will the crater lake literally take your breath away, but there are breathtaking landscapes along the way, and the indigenous villages are culturally very interesting too.
On the way to the Quilotoa Lagoon, we will appreciate the beautiful landscapes of the Andes, views of the famous Cotopaxi Volcano, one of Ecuador’s iconic landmarks, crossing the old Toachi Canyon in the Zumbahua Valley.
Finally, we arrive at the viewpoint of the Lagoon that lies at 3800 meters above sea level where we will begin the descent to the crater, you are going to be amazed knowing that it is a ring-shaped trail that connects remote villages in the high Andes in Ecuador in the Cotopaxi region, another interesting fact is that is a caldera formed by the collapse of the volcano’s crater after a massive eruption.
It is a great introduction to the country’s rural life, after approximately 45 minutes of walking, we will reach the level of the water in the lagoon, arriving at the very heart of the volcanic crater to the shores of the beautiful crystal-blue lagoon. You have the option to walk along the crater’s rim to enjoy the splendid view, or hike down a path to the crater lake. This amazing walk will allow you to admire the Andean plant and animal life along the way.
The return can become a bit longer, so you have the option to rent a mule for the uphill hike. After taking fabulous photographs and exploring the surroundings of the lagoon, we go back up to the viewpoint where we will have lunch and then start our way back to Quito.
If you make reservations for a group, for several concurrent services or on certain dates, we can usually offer special prices on these occasions.
Please note that the category stars given for the accommodations are estimated as local categories that do not fit international standards. Local categories are in all cases alike or higher than the ones given above.
NB: Please read all itineraries as a guide only. All routes and programs can change without notice due to National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety reasons, and the wildlife encountered during the travel. Flexibility is the key to the success of any expedition. Nevertheless, the safety and the interest of our passengers is always the first priority.
The weather in the Lagoon area is very unpredictable, we suggest you to bring warm clothes. It is important that you have a current travel and medical insurance. PLEASE do tell your travel advisor if you have a medical issue and how is your current physical condition.
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