Hiking Quiloto - Ecuador's most beautiful lake is a MUST add to your Ecuador bucket list. Quilotoa is a water-filled crater lake and the most western volcano in Ecuador's Andes. The 3-kilometre-wide caldera was formed by the collapse of a volcano. Quilotoa is 111 miles (178km) southwest of Ecuador's capital Quito, located in Cotopaxi province. Quilotoa Laguna is one of Ecuador's best-kept secrets. If you want to get off the beaten path, you'll be rewarded by views that will take your breath away.
IMAGE BY CHELSEA MESSINA
Quilotoa Lake Highlights
The main highlight of visiting the region is hiking Quilotoa. The Quilotoa Loop is a well-known hike that takes several days to complete. The other main highlight is a visit to the beautiful lake, which can be done by hiking down to the lake from the main parking lot.
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How to Get to Quilotoa in Ecuador
To get to Quilotoa in Ecuador you can take a full-day tour from Quito, which includes entrance fees and a beautiful ride through the mountains. However, if you also plan to visit Cotopaxi, try a 2-day tour to both Cotopaxi and Quilotoa like we did. You can also rent a car from Quito and drive yourself.
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Things to Do in Quilotoa
Hiking is the main activity you can do in Quilotoa Ecuador. You can hike around the Quilotoa Crater Lake or undertake the multi-day Quilotoa Loop hike. There are also a range of other day hikes in the area. Other activities in Quilotoa include visiting cheese factories or heading to local markets to shop where the locals shop. Kayaks are available for rent at the bottom of the trail. There's even a motorized boat that takes you around the lake.
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Hiking Trails - Quilotoa Laguna
Most popular: Quilotoa Laguna Playa
Discover this 2.2-mile out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of 1,154 ft. (351.7 m) this is generally considered a challenging route. I struggled on the way back up the switchbacks I'm not going to lie. It takes an average of 1 hour 52 min to complete but plan for longer if you want to enjoy the lake. This is a trendy area for locals to come camping and hiking. The best times to visit this trail are October through May. We visited in June and it was chilly at the top in the higher elevation, so bring a jacket!
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Multi-Day Hikes
Quilotoa Loop: Isinliví - Chugchilán: Check out this 7.7-mile point-to-point trail near Sigchos, Cotopaxi. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 16 min to complete. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Quilotoa Loop: Chugchilán - Quilotoa Lagoon: Experience this 8.3-mile point-to-point trail. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 50 min to complete. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.
Where to Stay When Hiking Quilotoa
Hostería Chukirawa: Terrace with a 180-degree view of the Quilotoa Lagoon viewpoint. Just 66 ft away from the trail heads, this hostel is perfect for singles, couples, and people looking to meet other like-minded travelers. If you take the bus to get to Quilotoa, you will get dropped off just a short walk away from Hostería Chukirawa.
The Black Sheep Inn: Award-winning ecolodge in the heart of the rural Andes. The Inn can provide drivers to and from Quito, as well as to the start/end of each day's hike.
IMAGE BY CHELSEA MESSINA
