Shared Day Trip to Quilotoa Crater Lagoon from Quito

Sightseeing  :  Ecuador  :  Pichincha  :  Quito  :  Day Trips

This one day cultural tour takes you to one of the most beautiful lagoon in Ecuador and in South America, the amazing “Laguna Quilotoa”. The Quilotoa Volcano is a water-filled caldera in the Ecuadorian Andes with a 3-kilometre (2 miles) wide crater. It was formed 14.000 years ago, leaving an astonishing turquoise volcano crater lagoon. Explore the Saquisili (Thursday) or Pujili (Sunday) towns and visit a native family. Hike down to the lagoon shores. Have a traditional highlands dish for lunch and visit the Tigua community on your way back yo Quito.We start our day with a visit to the famous local market of Saquisilí (Thursdays). If your visit is on a Sunday we visit instead the first missionary church in Ecuador, located in Pujili's town. Continuing our trip, we pass through the indigenous villages of the area which provide a fantastic chance to see the true Ecuador. When we arrive at the spectacular Quilotoa Lagoon, we hike down to the shores and back up again in a beautiful 2-hour hike. It is possible to hire mules for part of the trek.

6:50/07:00am: Leave from Plaza Foch in Quito at 6:50am or from The “Old Town” location at 7:00am for transport to Quilotoa.
9:30am: Explore Saquisili/Pujili (Thursday/Sunday) and visit a native family.
1:00pm: Begin descent to the Quilotoa lake.
2:00pm: Explore the lagoon's shore.
2:30pm: Begin ascent to the lagoon viewpoint (Optional mules rent $8 own expense).
3:30pm Lunch
4:30pm: Arrive to the Tigua community.
7:00pm: Return to Juan Leon Mera and Mariscal Foch.

Note: All hours are approximate, except for the starting time.