How to Plan Your Quilotoa Lagoon Tour: A Full-Day Trip from Quito

If you’re interested in exploring the natural beauty that surrounds Quito, you won’t want to miss out on a chance to visit the Quilotoa Lagoon. This famous Andean attraction is known for its stunning natural scenery, vibrant local community, and opportunities for hiking and exploration. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to plan your Quilotoa day trip, including the experience, highlights, full description, and logistics.

Experience

The Quilotoa Lagoon tour from Quito is designed to be a full-day adventure that will take you from the bustling city to the tranquil beauty of the Andean countryside. You’ll travel with an experienced guide who can answer all of your questions and provide insight into the history, culture, and ecology of the region. You’ll have the chance to hike and explore the Quilotoa Lagoon, visit a local craft workshop, and stop by the stunning Toachi’s Canon.

Highlights

The Quilotoa Lagoon tour is packed with highlights that make it one of the most popular day trips from Quito. Here are just a few of the things you’ll get to do and see:

• Admire the beautiful Andean landscape as you travel south from Quito
• Stop at the Shalala viewpoint for panoramic views of the region
• Visit the community viewpoint and descend to the lagoon
• Enjoy free time to hike and explore the area, or ride a mule back to the viewpoint
• Stop by a Tigua craft workshop to see colorful local crafts being made
• Visit the stunning Toachi’s Canon and learn about the forces that shaped this unique landscape
• Hike and explore a beautiful natural landscape
• Learn about the surrounding community
• Enjoy a day outside of Quito with an experienced guide

Full Description

The Quilotoa Lagoon tour from Quito typically departs in the morning and returns to the city in the late afternoon. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what you can expect from this full-day adventure:

1. Depart from Quito and admire the Andean landscape

Your tour will begin with a pick-up from your Quito hotel (or a designated meeting point if you prefer). From there, you’ll travel south from the city via private transportation. As you leave the urban landscape behind, you’ll start to get glimpses of the stunning Andean mountains and valleys that lie ahead.

2. Stop at the Shalala viewpoint

Your first stop will be at the Shalala viewpoint, which provides panoramic views of the region. From here, you’ll be able to see the diverse terrain that characterizes this part of the Andes, including green valleys, rugged mountains, and small rural settlements.

3. Visit the community viewpoint and descend to the lagoon

Next, you’ll make your way to the community viewpoint, where you can get a closer look at the Quilotoa Lagoon. From here, you’ll have the option to hike down to the lagoon itself, which can take up to an hour or more depending on your pace. The trail is moderately challenging but the stunning views make it well worth the effort.

4. Enjoy free time to hike and explore the area

Once you arrive at the Quilotoa Lagoon, you’ll have plenty of free time to explore and take in the stunning natural scenery. You can hike along the rim of the crater, dip your toes in the crystal-clear water, or just relax and soak up the peaceful beauty of the place. If you’re not up for hiking back up to the viewpoint, you can always catch a ride on a mule, which is included in the tour.

5. Stop by a Tigua craft workshop

After your time at the lagoon, you’ll head to a local Tigua craft workshop to see some of the beautiful handiwork that is created in this region. You can learn about the traditional techniques and designs that are used in these crafts and pick up some souvenirs if you’re so inclined.

6. Visit the stunning Toachi’s Canon

On your way back to Quito, you’ll make a final stop at the Toachi’s Canon, which offers a dramatic panorama of a massive gorge that was created by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. You can learn about the history and geology of the region and take some incredible photos to remember your trip by.

7. Return to Quito

After your tour is complete, you’ll be returned back to your hotel in Quito or the designated meeting point.

Logistics

If you’re interested in booking the Quilotoa Lagoon tour from Quito, you can do so by visiting the GetYourGuide website: book the tour here. The tour includes transportation, a bilingual guide, entrance to the Shalala viewpoint and Quilotoa’s community, mule ride, and lunch. You should wear comfortable clothes and shoes for hiking, and bring sunscreen, water, and a hat for the sun. The tour is appropriate for people of all ages, although the trail down to the lagoon can be challenging for those with mobility issues.

In conclusion, the Quilotoa Lagoon tour is a must-do if you’re visiting Quito and want to experience some of the stunning natural beauty that surrounds this vibrant city. With an experienced guide to lead the way, you’ll be able to explore the Andean landscape, learn about local culture, and create unforgettable memories.