Quilotoa Lagoon Tours and Activities

Don’t let limited time in Ecuador stop you visiting the majestic Quilotoa Lagoon, an emerald crater lake surrounded by mountain landscapes. Reach the natural wonder the easy way on this full-day tour from Quito, ideal for nature lovers. Stop at a traditional craft market before arriving in Quilotoa National Park and opting to hike or ride a mule (own expense) to the rim of the dormant volcano. Lunch and transfers are included.

Journey to the beautiful Quilotoa volcano, driving through stunning mountain scenery and stopping to visit local Andean communities, during this day trip from Quito. Travel along the spectacular ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’ passing beneath its towering peaks, eventually stopping at a village of an indigenous community, to explore a local home and learn about their daily life. Finish your day with a trip to the lagoon inside Quilotoa volcano. This day trip includes a guide, entrance fees, round-trip hotel transport, and lunch.

Spend the day exploring the stunning natural landscapes of Ecuador on this full-day Quilotoa Lake hiking tour from Quito. Your expert guide will lead you through tropical forests to one of the area's most beautiful lagoons. Make stops at a quiet village and local markets as part of this incredible day away from the city.

Laguna Quilotoa, a blue-green volcanic crater lake, sits in the rugged Andean countryside south of Quito. With this tour, escape the busy streets of Quito for an all-inclusive day in the Andes, and see Quilotoa Lake from two different lookouts on the crater rim with views of Cotopaxi in the distance. En route back to Quito, spend some time craft workshops in Tigua and La Victoria.

Quilotoa Lagoon is a beautiful place in Ecuador that you must visit. The landscape is amazing. The caldera was formed by the collapse of a volcano following a catastrophic eruption about 600 years ago. We can go down walking, do kayac and return by mule, it is an awesome experience.

Combine culture with nature on this full-day tour of Otavalo Marketplace and Cuicocha Lagoon, ideal for first-time visitors with limited time in Ecuador. Departing Quito, you’ll travel to Otavalo Marketplace, one of Latin America’s largest markets, to browse stalls for colorful, artisan souvenirs. See, too, the Peguche Waterfall and Cuicocha Lagoon, on which you;ll enjoy a short boat ride.

Mindo, just two hours from Quito, is in a biodiverse cloud forest that's home to hundreds of species of birds and butterflies. This full-day tour with a private driver and guide includes a visit to a butterfly farm and a tour of a chocolate factory plus one other eco-adventure of your choosing, including ziplining, hiking, or an orchid farm visit, for a customized experience.

Discover the sights and lights of Quito at night with this evening tour of its historical, UNESCO-listed heart. Ride by illuminated churches and landmark sites such as the Basilica of the National Vow and Plaza Grande; and hear urban legends and insights into the city's cultural heritage you could easily miss otherwise. Finish by admiring views of the sparkling city from the hilltop viewpoint of Mirador del Panecillo—the perfect finale.

Get a sense of the architecture, history, and culture of Quito during this private tour visiting the city’s top sights. Start with an exploration of the historic city center of this Ecuadorian capital, visiting its main Basilica, Independence Plaza, and many more colonial-era sites. Then take a trip aboard the Teleférico to a peak more than 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) above the city for sublime views, finishing your day at ‘Mitad del Mundo,’ a monument marking where the earth’s equator splits the world into north and south.

Skip the logistics of organizing a day trip to Quilotoa, a water-filled caldera with an astonishing turquoise lagoon. This private tour takes you there directly from your hotel in Quito, leaving you plenty of time to linger at the shoreline after a hike down. With a dedicated guide, explore an indigenous village market and visit a local family. Enjoy a traditional highlands dish, provided for lunch.

Boasting a huge diversity of birdlife, the Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve draws ornithologists worldwide. It’s also a popular destination for anyone wishing to escape the busy streets of Quito. With a private guide to help you set the itinerary, you can visit a butterfly farm, trek to waterfalls, go river tubing, and taste locally made chocolate and coffee. Transport is made easy with private hotel pickup in a 4WD vehicle.

Within the Cotopaxi National Park is the active Cotopaxi volcano, an elevation of 5,897 meters above sea level located in the Cordillera de Los Andes and an exceptional variety of flora and fauna species.

Cover some of Quito's highlights, including the Middle of the World (Mitad del Mundo) and the Pululahua Crater, on this double-decker bus tour. During the half-day tour, you'll learn about the landmarks and popular attractions in Quito from your guide and enjoy VIP access to all of the attractions in the Middle of the World Complex.

Journey through Ecuador’s incredible landscapes and stop on route for photos and to visit Otavalo Market on this tour from Quito. Head north along the Pan-American highway, taste biscuits in Cayambe, and hop out at Otavalo Market to experience the local shopping culture by bartering for handicrafts. Then, stop at Cuicocha Lagoon—a crater lake below Cotacachi Volcano—to snap photos and perhaps take an optional boat ride (additional cost).

See where the equator divides the northern and southern hemispheres on this tour of the Middle of the World Monument from Quito. Climb aboard a 20th-century replica tram to head to the museum built to honor a French expedition and where numerous Ecuadorian crafts and items are displayed. This tour highlights one of Ecuador's most popular attractions and allows travelers plenty of time for exploring, shopping, and learning, too.

Skip the public transportation and enjoy an easy Arrival, Airport and Ground Transfer in Quito. After landing in Mariscal Sucre International Airport join other travelers to depart for your Quito hotel in a shared minivan.

Discover the amazingly diverse wildlife and scenic beauty of the cloud forests of Mindo during this 8-hour day trip from Quito. This unique ecological area is known for having one of the highest concentrations of biodiversity anywhere on earth, including numerous exotic species of birds along with a wealth of fun attractions. During your excursion, you'll first stop by the Hummingbird Garden and walk into the forest to admire the beauty of this natural reserve before proceeding to Mindo. In Mindo, you can choose from among a range of optional activities (at your own expense), including a visit to a chocolate factory, an orchid garden tour, ziplining, a bird-watching trip with a local expert, and much more.

Explore the rugged surroundings and stunning scenery of Cotopaxi National Park and Cotopaxi Volcano during this full-day trip. Enjoy a short hike into the Limpiopungo Valley before driving ever-higher into this sky-high region, stopping at the 15,800-foot (4830-meter) Padre Rivas Refuge. If you’re feeling up for it, you’ll continue to the 16,500-foot (5,050-meter) Cotopaxi Glacier. This Cotopaxi day trip also includes national park fees, a guide, bottled water, round-trip hotel transport and an optional trip upgrade with lunch.

This popular private tour hits all of Quito's top attractions. Follow your expert local guide through the capital city's historic district, stand on the equator and ride on the highest gondola in South America. This full-day experience is perfect for travelers who want to gain insight and understanding into the history and culture of Quito.

After private pickup from your Quito hotel, head to the Cloud Forest in Mindo. Your private day tour stops at the best viewpoints and gives you plenty of time to take photos. Get the best views of the plants and wildlife on a 530-meter cable car ride through the Cloud Forest.  Let your private guide lead you to the best waterfalls in Ecuador, before returning you to your hotel.

Experience the best of the Sierra region on a full-day trip to Cotopaxi National Park with horseback riding. Hotel pickup takes you El Pedregal to a local hacienda where you’ll enjoy a traditional drink. After your horseback ride, enjoy a provided boxed lunch before heading to the park. There, you’ll get up close to ancient lava flows, wild horses, and more.

Esta vez nos vamos a darle la vuelta al cráter del Quilotoa, una caldera llena de agua de 3 kilómetros de ancho que se formó por el colapso de este volcán hace aproximadamente 812 años. Empezaremos a caminar en el mirador principal de la laguna para darle la vuelta en sentido horario por un sendero de tierra y arena donde sortearemos algunas subidas y bajadas que les vuelven desafiantes a los 11 kilómetros del recorrido, siempre acompañados de paisajes espectaculares del callejón interandino. 

After admiring the beautiful Andean landscape thru the south bound highway, we arrive to the Quilotoa Zone, our first stop will be in the “Shalalá” overlook which you would recognized by its transparent structure. There we will be able to admire the beautiful Quilotoa Lagoon with its incredible turquoise waters. From this point, we will descend to the lagoon where you will have free-time to visit it, the ascent is thru a path that connects us to the lookout of the community. (The ascent is over steep, so it is recommended to go up on a mule for people who are not in good physical condition). After you lunch break (not included), we will make our way back through a craft workshop in Tigua, famous for its picturesque paintings, and will visit the Rio Toachi Canyon.

Experience the spectacular scenery of the Ecuadorian Andes on this full-day tour from Quito. Visit the traditional market towns of Saquisili and Pujili; enjoy a thrilling trek around the Quilotoa Crater Lagoon; and explore the indigenous villages of the Tigua community. Lunch is included.