Laguna Quilotoa
Laguna Quilotoa
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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Robynrad
Greater Sydney, Australia814 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We completed the Quilotoa Crater Rim hike on a beautiful day in May. We are a couple in our early 60s who enjoy hiking but have little experience at altitude. We spent a few days in Quito, then 2 nights in Isinlivi and a night in Chugchilan. We did some walks beforehand gradually acclimatising and enjoying this beautiful region. We also booked a guide which proved invaluable in knowing the right paths around the rim to take. We started the walk around 9am with sun, a few clouds and a stiff breeze depending on our direction. We went anti clockwise in order to do the steepest ascent first. The path was relatively easy initially, but that first ascent was tough work. Not only did we need to stop every few minutes to catch our breath, but there were places we needed to use hands and feet to climb, and just when you think you've reached the peak you realise there's still more. So exhilarating when we reached the top at just under 4000m! The lake is stunning from every direction, and the colour seems to change as the light and wind changes. We passed a range of flowers too. And there's also the view across the valleys from the outer slopes of this volcano, extinct for about 800 years. Coming down the hills wasn't easy either due to a lot of loose gravel and rocks. So the walk progressed with climbs, then descents, then relatively flat paths, sometimes right on the edge of the crater and sometimes further away. We stopped frequently when we needed to oxygenate but usually recovered quickly in a minute or two. Our local guide hardly breathed at all! We passed very few people. Surprisingly there was a stall selling drinks and snacks halfway around. We took plenty of water and snacks with us. We dressed in layers and carried rain jackets just in case. Hang on to your hat when the wind gusts! Towards the end there was a long walk through sand which wasn't much fun and then the last of the sensational views until we turned off into the village. It took us 5 hours all up and we were very pleased with ourselves. My advice if you are wondering if you can do this, is to give yourself time to prepare, take plenty of water and snacks, dress in layers, don't forget sun protection, take your time and think about hiring a guide. It is a sensational hike and so worth doing!
Written May 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim B
Parker, CO115 contributions
Jun 2021
We made this trek as a day-trip from Quito. Frankly, our side trips along the way to a rose plantation and an indigeous household were more satisfying than the crater visit. The view was awesome but not awesome enough to justify a three-hour car ride from Quito. I would only recommend this site to someone already in the immediate area who could enjoy a longer hike down or around the crater. However, please note if you hike down and plan to ride a horse or donkey back up, the animals only move as fast as the handler walking with them.
Written July 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CJC
Asheville, NC131 contributions
Feb 2020
After reading a bit, we wanted to hike from the lake rim to Chugchilan. This direction is easier due to its more downhill than the reverse. We made the mistake of getting started after lunch, so by the time we were 1/2 way, it was late afternoon and it was raining, so we caught a ride back to our hotel. The trail itself was great, although the clouds and fog rolled in around 2pm so our visibility was compromised but not to the point of being unsafe. We still loved the 3.5 hrs to get 1/2 way to Chugchilan, but it would been even more amazing if we’d started earlier in the day. If you’ve been to Crater a Lake in Oregon, Quilotoa is very similar. We enjoyed Quilotoa more than Cotopaxi.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventure beyond imagination
Munich, Germany19,322 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
The drive from Quito is quite time consuming but the view of the beautiful crater lake is breathtaking. The interaction between clouds, sunshine and shadows makes the lake so unique. Must see spot!
Written January 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mariellette2022
47 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
We are 2 adults and a child (7 years old).
After discussing how to get to the laguna for ages, we decided to take a chance and get a bus. We went from Latacunga to Zumbahua where we took a camionetta. The bus was 4.5$ and the camionetta was 6$.
We left Latacunga at 8:30 and arrived at Quilotoa at 10:30.
We decided to tour the crater (we did want to go down as we’d already done something similar in Mojanda).
It took us 2h40 to tour the lake without counting the stops and 4h25 with the stops. The height gain was 937m and it is 10km long. It was not easy but not hard either. Our son enjoyed it and didn’t find it hard. Before starting I was worried about the length and the wind. My guidebook said it took 5 hours to tour the lake and even more when there are strong winds. I was worried about missing the last bus which is at 5pm.
We were back at 3pm and took a direct bus back to Latacunga which left at 3:30pm.
It was well worth it in the end and there is no need to look into getting a taxi, Huber, an agency, renting a car, etc.
There is only a point in going through an agency if you want to visit all the villages around.
If I could do it again and not had one day, I would tour the lake a little (for about 45 minutes) AND walk down to a village in the countryside. The countryside there is absolutely gorgeous, it is superb, especially just before arriving in Zumbahua. Breathtaking views.
After discussing how to get to the laguna for ages, we decided to take a chance and get a bus. We went from Latacunga to Zumbahua where we took a camionetta. The bus was 4.5$ and the camionetta was 6$.
We left Latacunga at 8:30 and arrived at Quilotoa at 10:30.
We decided to tour the crater (we did want to go down as we’d already done something similar in Mojanda).
It took us 2h40 to tour the lake without counting the stops and 4h25 with the stops. The height gain was 937m and it is 10km long. It was not easy but not hard either. Our son enjoyed it and didn’t find it hard. Before starting I was worried about the length and the wind. My guidebook said it took 5 hours to tour the lake and even more when there are strong winds. I was worried about missing the last bus which is at 5pm.
We were back at 3pm and took a direct bus back to Latacunga which left at 3:30pm.
It was well worth it in the end and there is no need to look into getting a taxi, Huber, an agency, renting a car, etc.
There is only a point in going through an agency if you want to visit all the villages around.
If I could do it again and not had one day, I would tour the lake a little (for about 45 minutes) AND walk down to a village in the countryside. The countryside there is absolutely gorgeous, it is superb, especially just before arriving in Zumbahua. Breathtaking views.
Written July 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin S
Pontypridd, UK7,058 contributions
Jan 2023
We arrived mid afternoon having driven up through drizzle and cloud in parts. Not hopeful at all. We paid our $2 entry fee, valid for the next day as well as we'd be staying overnight and walked the 100 metres from the car park to the main viewpoint. And the lagoon could be seen quite clearly. Not the top of the rim unfor-tunately but half of the steep sides before cloud interfered.
The following morning we had a look again. This time even less hopeful with cloud around the hotel. Never-theless arriving at the viewpoint the lagoon and the whole of the caldera was visible, not a bright green or blue admittedly with the overhead cloud, but rewarding.
We didn't attempt a rim walk. The days rain and fog made that too uncomfortable.
The following morning we had a look again. This time even less hopeful with cloud around the hotel. Never-theless arriving at the viewpoint the lagoon and the whole of the caldera was visible, not a bright green or blue admittedly with the overhead cloud, but rewarding.
We didn't attempt a rim walk. The days rain and fog made that too uncomfortable.
Written February 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erika
Caracas, Venezuela9,913 contributions
May 2022
Know that there are so many strays dogs on the roads and also when you arrive to Quilotoa. So, bring food and water and give them some love :)
The hike here was incredibly beautiful. I took the best pictures of my stay in Quito here.
The hike can be a little difficult sometimes. Bring sunscreen
Entrance fee: 10USD for foreigns and 5USD for nationals
The hike here was incredibly beautiful. I took the best pictures of my stay in Quito here.
The hike can be a little difficult sometimes. Bring sunscreen
Entrance fee: 10USD for foreigns and 5USD for nationals
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J-P
28 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
e walked the Quilotoa loop from South to North. (Starting Quilotoa ending in Sichos). It really is a nice walk. Unfortunately in this time of year (November) it can start raining after 12:00. I would therefore recommend an early start. (For example book hostel in Latacunga).
We are fit however certainly not the fastest. Our time on route:
Day 1 5:22 hours Quilotoa- Chugchilan
Day 2 4:48 hours Chugchilan-Isinlivi
Day 3 4:16 hours Isinlivi- Sigchos
Between Quilotoa and Chugchilan there is a section marked as ‘routa extrema’. I would not recommend this section for inexperienced hikers.
We are fit however certainly not the fastest. Our time on route:
Day 1 5:22 hours Quilotoa- Chugchilan
Day 2 4:48 hours Chugchilan-Isinlivi
Day 3 4:16 hours Isinlivi- Sigchos
Between Quilotoa and Chugchilan there is a section marked as ‘routa extrema’. I would not recommend this section for inexperienced hikers.
Written November 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
galadiel67
Chiavari, Italy3,549 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
The journey to get there and the destination, the lagoon, are enchanting and exciting. Quilotoa can be reached by bus from Latacunga and the route, among the Andean landscapes, well divided by the geometric lines of high-altitude crops, close to tiny groups of houses, apparently unattainable and dominated by very high peaks, is priceless. You will be kept company by women with shawls and hats, men burnt by the sun, sleeping children well secured with a band on their mother's back. You will watch but you will also be scrutinized. If you meet some vivacious young woman, you might end up with her on TikTok, but most people will have anything but cell phones in their hands.
Once you arrive in Quilitoa, after paying for the entrance to the town, a short climb between small shops and restaurants (not many though) will take you to the edge of the crater of a now extinct volcano, at the bottom of which lies a crystalline lagoon where the the clouds. If you want you can go down 300 m (which is a lot at 4000 metres!), but even by staying on the edge, walking a little perhaps buffeted by the wind, you will think that getting there was worth it and maybe you will want to see the lagoon at sunset and to spend at least one night in that little village.
If you go back instead, if you are lucky, you will see the perfect cone of Cotopaxi standing out in the blue sky.
Once you arrive in Quilitoa, after paying for the entrance to the town, a short climb between small shops and restaurants (not many though) will take you to the edge of the crater of a now extinct volcano, at the bottom of which lies a crystalline lagoon where the the clouds. If you want you can go down 300 m (which is a lot at 4000 metres!), but even by staying on the edge, walking a little perhaps buffeted by the wind, you will think that getting there was worth it and maybe you will want to see the lagoon at sunset and to spend at least one night in that little village.
If you go back instead, if you are lucky, you will see the perfect cone of Cotopaxi standing out in the blue sky.
Written February 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
xonthebeach
Switzerland1,741 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Very beautiful lake, especially from the new viewpoint. They want an entrance fee everywhere. Even in the village itself, although we only wanted to eat there. We had to pay USD 4 entrance fee, only to find out that all the restaurants were closed. Same story at the Shalala viewpoint, first it was USD 2 per person, then suddenly it was USD 3 per person and when we left, she held out her hand again and wanted another USD 2, which we didn't give her. That's a bit annoying
Written December 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola que tan recomendable es evitar la laguna del Quilotoa entre semana y es seguro hacer camping sola.
Written November 19, 2024
Hola buenas tardes, a la fecha existe costo por ingreso y es individual?
Written December 16, 2021
Puedo viajar con mi perrita. Y q cuesta el ingreso de niños y adultos
Written October 19, 2021
¡Hola!
Si, hay un ingreso al parque que incluye el estacionamiento y los recorridos por senderos y miradores.
Written July 13, 2021
How long does it take to hike down to the lake, and how much time do you recommend spending on kayaking? Also, is the mule ride back up worth it, or is it better to just walk up?
Written October 13, 2020
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