The Quilotoa lagoon sits inside a volcanic crater in the province of Cotopaxi, and its water really is emerald. People come to hike and to kayak, but also for the quiet. For example, it is a place for yoga and meditation, and couples celebrate engagements on the rim.
So here is how to visit Quilotoa. You will see how to get there, what the day costs and what the descent into the crater actually demands.
How to visit Quilotoa from Quito
Quilotoa is a full-day trip from Quito, and the drive south is a long one. For example, our Quilotoa Culture and Hike is a 12-hour day departing Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Pick-up is at Foch Square at 7:10 a.m. or Zular Coffee Shop on San Blas Square at 7:20 a.m.
If your schedule allows two days, the alternative is combining Quilotoa with Cotopaxi and sleeping in Machachi. Then the second morning becomes an 8:30 a.m. start instead of a pre-dawn one.
What you see before the crater
The stops on the way are not filler. In fact, for many travellers they are the best part of the day.
- A real Andean market. Saquisili on Thursdays, Pujili on Sundays. These are working trading markets. There, people trade products from the tropical lowlands for products from the highlands.
- A highland home at 3,800 m. Then comes a visit to an indigenous family home at the highest point of the route.
- Tigua. The painters come aboard the bus with their work, or we stop at the gallery. Their carved animal faces and paintings on sheepskin have a worldwide reputation.
- The Toachi Canyon. Finally, the obligatory photo stop above the river canyon. Entrance $1 per person.
The descent into the crater
You start from the community viewpoint on the rim at 3,900 m (12,795 ft), the one with direct access down into the crater. Then the round trip to the shore of the lagoon and back takes about three hours.
Going down is straightforward. However, the way back up is the honest part of this article. It is a steady climb on loose ground at nearly 4,000 m. Also, it is where the altitude decides how you feel about the day. We rate the hike moderate, 3 out of 5, and you need no previous experience.
If the climb back looks steeper than you want, you can hire a horse from the shore for $10 per person. After all, there is no shame in it, and plenty of people take one.
What it costs and what to carry in cash
The tour is $56 per person. It includes your bilingual Spanish-English guide, authorised tourist transport, a menu-type lunch and protected area entrance permits. Also, bring small cash for the rest:
- Quilotoa Lagoon entrance: $2 per person
- Toachi Canyon entrance: $1 per person
- Kayak on the lagoon (optional): $3 per person
- Horse for the climb back (optional): $10 per person
The kayaking is worth mentioning on its own. Because you paddle at 3,914 m (12,841 ft), this is one of the highest places you will ever sit in a kayak.
What to bring
Average temperature is around 12C / 54F at an average elevation of 3,800 m. However, the rim offers no shelter and the weather changes fast.
- Comfortable, warm clothes and a windproof jacket
- Gloves, neck and ear protection
- Sunglasses, a sun hat and sunscreen
- Comfortable shoes for mountainous and sandy terrain
- Your camera
- Small cash for the entrances above
How to make the day easier
- Spend a day or two in Quito before you go. After all, arriving at 3,900 m straight off an international flight is the most common mistake.
- Start the descent early in your time at the rim so you are not rushing the climb back.
- Also, drink water throughout the drive, not just at the crater.
- Finally, pace the ascent slowly and steadily rather than in bursts.
See the emerald crater for yourself
We run this tour ourselves with our own transport and certified bilingual guides. Also, we confirm it from a single passenger, so solo travellers never drop off the list. Check the departure days and book on the Quilotoa Culture and Hike page. Then compare it with the rest of our day tours from Quito. You can also message us on WhatsApp at +593 98 094 2338 with your dates.
