How hard is the hike into the crater?

Moderate, rated 3 out of 5. It takes about three hours down to the shore and back up from the viewpoint at 3,900 m. The way back up is the demanding part because of the altitude. Horses are available for the climb for $10.

Which market do we visit?

It depends on the day: Saquisilí on Thursdays and Pujilí on Sundays. Both are real trading markets where highland and tropical products change hands.

Can I kayak on the lagoon?

Yes, it is optional and costs $3 per person. You paddle at 3,914 m (12,841 ft), which makes it one of the highest kayaking spots you will find.

What is not included that I should carry cash for?

$2 for the Quilotoa Lagoon entrance and $1 for the Toachi Canyon, plus the optional kayak ($3) and horses ($10). Also, the tour includes lunch, transport, guide and protected area permits.

What is the climate like?

Average temperature is around 12C / 54F at an average elevation of 3,800 m. Bring warm clothes, a windproof jacket, gloves and neck and ear protection.

Do I need previous experience?

You need no experience. It is a shared tour running Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, with a full day of around 12 hours.

Quilotoa Culture and Hike

Hike into a breathtaking turquoise crater

From $56 Per person. Shared tour.

12 hours

Day Tours from Quito

Quilotoa Culture and Hike — Ecosportour, Ecuador

Difficulty: Moderate
12-hour full day
3-hour hike inside the crater
Traditional Andean market
Lunch and permits included
Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday

Duration
12 hours
Difficulty
Moderate
Departure
Foch Square at 7:10 a.m. / Zular Coffee Shop (San Blas Square) at 7:20 a.m.
Departure days
Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
Languages
English, Spanish

Tour overview

The Quilotoa crater hike is a classic day trip from Quito: the lagoon sits inside a volcanic crater and its water really is emerald. People come here to hike and to kayak, but also for the quiet. For example, it is a place for yoga and meditation, and couples propose and marry on the rim.

First, the day starts with a real Andean market, not a tourist one: the Saquisilí market, held on Thursdays. Then people trade products from the tropical lowlands for products from the highlands.

Before the lagoon comes the obligatory stop above the Toachi river canyon. From the community viewpoint at 3,900 m, the heart of the day trip, you hike down inside the Quilotoa crater to the shore and back up, about three hours. Kayaking on the lagoon costs $3. Meanwhile, if the climb back looks steep, horses are $10.

In short: twelve hours, three departures a week, bilingual guide, transport, lunch and permits included. $56 per person from Quito. If one day is not enough, there is also a 2-day Cotopaxi and Quilotoa tour.

Itinerary

Saquisilí traditional market

Departure is from Foch Square at 7:10 a.m. or from Zular Coffee Shop (San Blas Square) at 7:20 a.m. The day opens at the Saquisilí market, held on Thursdays: a market that exists for trade, not for visitors, where goods from the tropical lowlands change hands for goods from the highlands.
Highland home at 3,800 m
Toachi Canyon viewpoint

A stop above the river canyon on the way to the lagoon. The entrance costs $1 per person, and the tour does not cover it, so bring cash.
Quilotoa crater viewpoint (3,900 m)

From the community viewpoint the crater drops away to the lagoon, and the emerald colour of the water is not an exaggeration. Not everyone comes here to walk: Quilotoa also draws people for yoga and meditation, and couples propose and marry on the rim. The lagoon entrance costs $2 per person, and the tour does not cover it.
Hike down to the lagoon and back

Around three hours in total, rated moderate. The way back up is the demanding part because of the altitude; horses are available for the climb at $10 per person. Kayaking on the lagoon is optional, $3 per person.
Lunch included

A menu-type lunch after the hike. The tour does not cover extra meals, drinks, snacks or gratuities.

What's included

Included

Bilingual Spanish-English guide
Authorized tourist transportation
Menu-type lunch
Protected area entrance permits

Not included

Extra meals and beverages
Snacks
Gratuities
Quilotoa Lagoon entrance: $2 per person
Toachi Canyon entrance: $1 per person
Kayak (optional): $3 per person
Horses (optional): $10 per person

What to bring

Comfortable, warm clothes
Windproof jacket
Gloves, neck and ear protection
Sunglasses
Camera
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Comfortable shoes for walking in mountainous and sandy terrain

Good to know

How hard is the hike into the crater?

Moderate, rated 3 out of 5. It takes about three hours down to the shore and back up from the viewpoint at 3,900 m. The way back up is the demanding part because of the altitude. Horses are available for the climb for $10.
Which market do we visit?

It depends on the day: Saquisilí on Thursdays and Pujilí on Sundays. Both are real trading markets where highland and tropical products change hands.
Can I kayak on the lagoon?

Yes, it is optional and costs $3 per person. You paddle at 3,914 m (12,841 ft), which makes it one of the highest kayaking spots you will find.
What is not included that I should carry cash for?

$2 for the Quilotoa Lagoon entrance and $1 for the Toachi Canyon, plus the optional kayak ($3) and horses ($10). Also, the tour includes lunch, transport, guide and protected area permits.
What is the climate like?

Average temperature is around 12C / 54F at an average elevation of 3,800 m. Bring warm clothes, a windproof jacket, gloves and neck and ear protection.
Do I need previous experience?

You need no experience. It is a shared tour running Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, with a full day of around 12 hours.