What to do and see in Quilotoa, Cotopaxi Province: The Best Walking Tours

September 12, 2021 Velvet Mowry

Discover the best top things to do in Quilotoa, Ecuador including Quilotoa Laguna Daytour, Baños 2Day/1Night Tour - All Included tours + accommodation , Quilotoa Full Day Tour - All included with Quito pick up & drop off, Cotopaxi & Baños 3Day/2Night - All included tours + accommodation, Baños 3Day/2Night Tour - All included tours + accommodation, Private Quilotoa Lagoon Tour from Quito, Hiking the Quilotoa loop and more, 2 day 1 night tour to Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon all included, Shared Tour to Quilotoa Lagoon from Quito, Private Full Day Quilotoa Lagoon Visit from Guayaquil.
Restaurants in Quilotoa

1. Quilotoa Laguna Daytour

CarpeDM Adventures, José de Antepara, Quito 170136, Ecuador CarpeDM Adventures
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5.0 based on 16 reviews

This full day cultural tour begins with a visit to local indigenous market at either Saquisilli (Thursdays only) or Pujili (Sundays only).  The drive to Laguna Quilotoa – an amazing emerald lagoon inside a volcano crater at the height of approximatetly 3,800 m – displays a beautiful view of the Andean mountains, passing the ancient canyon of Zumbahua and many indigenous towns and farmlands.  The trip through the villages of the area provide a fantastic chance to see one of the most authentic parts of the country. Before lunch we visit a local indigenous home where you have the opportunity to interact with the locals. Prepare yourself for a taste of cultural and hiking.

Inclusions: What’s Included:, Transport, Guide, Lunch

Exclusions: What’s Not Included:, Additional Snacks / Beverages, TIPS, Breakfast

Reviewed By RichardA4235

Could not recommend more highly! We were in Quito and did a day trip to Mindo. Our guide, Alex, was amazing. He was a wealth of information and went far out of his way to show us everything we wanted to see. We zip-lined, went to the butterfly museum, did a chocolate tasting and learned how cocoa beans become chocolate. We also did a cable and hike to a waterfall. We really wanted to hit the equator museum on the way back and Alex made sure we got there -- we were running behind and he called to make sure they would stay open for us. Along the way, he gave us a great sense about Ecuador. Alex even helped us order pizza on the way home . He said that "no" was not in his vocabulary and that turned out to be true. The whole operation was so easy -- they even took us to the airport on our way out. The bus was comfortable, the driver safe, and it was just overall a fabulous trip -- our favorite activity in Quito. Thank you Alex and CarpeDM!

2. Baños 2Day/1Night Tour - All Included tours + accommodation

Quito, Ecuador Ecuador Hop
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4.9 based on 47 reviews

This short tour makes for a great 2-day escape from Quito. On the way from Quito to Baños, we’ll make stops at the stunning Cotopaxi Volcano as well as the Quilotoa Lagoon, an unbelievable turquoise lake in the caldera of an active volcano. Once in Baños, you’ll enjoy a number of wonderful activities set against a beautiful backdrop of waterfalls and tropical greenery.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, All Fees and Taxes, Transport to every stop point, Overnight stay at Community Hostel

Exclusions: Lunch and evening meals., Accommodation

Reviewed By Emurphy87

Beautiful crater! Ecuador Hop is a great company with excellent guides. The hike down to the crater is very sandy, long and tough - bring sturdy shoes like hiking boots.

3. Quilotoa Full Day Tour - All included with Quito pick up & drop off

Quito, Ecuador Ecuador Hop
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4.9 based on 54 reviews

This is a full day tour from Quito to visit the Quilotoa Lagoon, an incredible turquoise-colored lake located inside the caldera of an active volcano. On the way to Quilotoa, you will also stop to enjoy breakfast at the scenic Chuquiragua Lodge, located in the foothills of the Cotopaxi Volcano. A great way to escape from the city and return to Quito the same day!

Inclusions: Breakfast, All Fees and Taxes, Pick-up from hostel/hotel in Quito, Lunch, Transport to every stop point

Exclusions: Dinner

Reviewed By Ellen K

We were picked up at our hotel, which was super convenient around 7:45 a.m. First we went to an ecolodge for breakfast, which served us pancakes with fruit and yogurt, bread and coffee and juice. Then we drove up to the parking area on Cotopaxi, which is around 16,300 feet we figured. The road up was bumpy and slow going and we couldn't believe the bus made it up there! When we got out to hike it was sleeting sideways with a wind that just about knocked us over! It was howling! Some people went on ahead up to the lodge, but we decided to turn back as we didn't have the right coats to stay dry and warm with us. The volcano was enshrouded in clouds the entire time so we didn't have much of a view. When everyone came back we went down to the lagoon and did a short narrated nature hike, where it was sunny and a lot warmer. We ate a late lunch at the ecolodge and made it back to our hotel around 6:30 p.m. It was a good adventure. We paid $49 per person.

4. Cotopaxi & Baños 3Day/2Night - All included tours + accommodation

Quito, Ecuador Ecuador Hop
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4.9 based on 21 reviews

This short tour makes for a great 3-day escape from Quito. On the way, we’ll make a stop at the Quilotoa Lagoon, an unbelievable turquoise lake in the caldera of an active volcano. Once in Baños, you’ll enjoy a number of wonderful activities set against a beautiful backdrop of waterfalls and tropical greenery.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, All Fees and Taxes, Pick-up from hostel/hotel in Quito, Transport to every stop point

Exclusions: Lunch and evening meals., Accommodation

Reviewed By Emurphy87

Beautiful crater! Ecuador Hop is a great company with excellent guides. The hike down to the crater is very sandy, long and tough - bring sturdy shoes like hiking boots.

5. Baños 3Day/2Night Tour - All included tours + accommodation

Quito, Ecuador Ecuador Hop
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4.8 based on 11 reviews

This short tour makes for a great 3-day escape from Quito. On the way from Quito to Baños, we’ll make stops at the stunning Cotopaxi Volcano as well as the Quilotoa Lagoon, an unbelievable turquoise lake in the caldera of an active volcano. Once in Baños, you’ll enjoy a number of wonderful activities set against a beautiful backdrop of waterfalls and tropical greenery.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Transport to every stop point, All Fees and Taxes, Pick-up from hostel/hotel in Quito

Exclusions: Meals and dinner

Reviewed By Emurphy87

Beautiful crater! Ecuador Hop is a great company with excellent guides. The hike down to the crater is very sandy, long and tough - bring sturdy shoes like hiking boots.

6. Private Quilotoa Lagoon Tour from Quito

Bm Tours Quito
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3.5 based on 2 reviews

We will start early in the morning to get to the lagoon of Quilotoa, an old water-filled caldera of volcanic origin whose water is transparent just like glass .

Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Private Tour

Exclusions: Entrance fees ($2 per person), Food and Drinks

Reviewed By SkiDocEdzell

Local guide with good English. Good factual information on main sites of interest. Had driver in private car, which, given the horrendous traffic gridlock and lack of parking in Quito old town, was essential! Felt rushed though, with request for coffee stop after 2 hours, dismissed.

7. Hiking the Quilotoa loop and more

Av. Amazonas 1172y, Quito 170150, Ecuador Tours Around Quito

Quilotoa is a volcano with a lake inside. The lagoon is an emerald which gases are coming out. It is possible to walk down from the summit crater towards the lagoon where you can practice some water sports. It is suggested to walk down and climb on horseback. Its population is dedicated to tourism; they are organized so that everyone can get some of the money working in tourism. It is a population that is also working on their land primarily cultivating chochos, quinoa, barley, wheat. Animals such as pigs, sheep, llamas, chickens, rabbits.

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Professional guide, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Food and drinks, Food and drinks, unless specified, horse back riding

Reviewed By mdr4d

We selected “Tours Around Quito” by reading some reviews and took a chance. We are big travelers and have used many guides but “The Goose” (Gustavo) has been one of the best. He speaks great english, is friendly, punctual, and most of all incredibly knowledgeable. We had 3 days of private tours and he was so accommodating. He tailored the trip around our interests and made the most out of every minute we spent with him. We saw all of Quito, then went to Cotopaxi and he climbed along with us. We could go at our own pace and not feel pushed or held up by others. He even hiked with us in the pouring rain at a lake. We finished up touring Otavalo and loved it all. “The Goose” is a 5 star tour guide and we wholeheartedly recommend him.

8. 2 day 1 night tour to Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon all included

Juan León Mera & Mariscal Foch, Quito 170143, Ecuador El Barak Ecuador Travel

- You have the right to a Professional Bilingual Guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Lodging and Tourist Visits. - Includes Bicycle and Helmet in a Private tour - Tourist Transportation from Quito - Cotopaxi - Quilotoa - Quito - Hiking and horseback riding on the same tour if you decide to return on horseback not included in Quilotoa. - Visit indigenous market - Visit indigenous house - Visit to the Quilotoa viewpoint - Visit and descent to the Quilotoa Lagoon - Hiking and biking on the same tour. - Visit Refugio Jose Rivas 4897 meters - Visit Glaciers of the Volcano 5000 meters - Visit and tour to the Limpiopungo Lagoon - Professionalism and Quality of Service

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Lunch, Lodging, Bicycle and helmet, Private transportation

Exclusions: Personal expenses, Dinners, Kayak and Cavalcade in Quilotoa

Reviewed By seanb936

Great tour overall. It is shopping intensive and great for those looking to buy a lot of local and leather goods. Our guide was great and gave us plenty of time at each stop. The tour does have quite a bit of time on the road but the views are lovely. The lagoon was quite popular and a great place to take pictures. I would do this tour again if I was with someone who liked to shop for local handicrafts, leather goods, and unique gift items.

9. Shared Tour to Quilotoa Lagoon from Quito

Quito, Ecuador Perfect Destiny

The Quilotoa is a 3 km (2 mi) wide water-filled caldera formed by the collapse of this dacite volcano followed by an eruption of VEI-6 approximately 812 years ago, which produced a pyroclastic flow and lahars ( mud flows) that reached the Pacific Ocean, which deposited volcanic ash through the air along the northern Andes.

Inclusions: Professional Tourist Guide, Shared Transportation, Lunch

Exclusions: Entrance fees , Private Transportation

Reviewed By geierdianne

A nice way to spend a few hours bike riding on trails; then walking to see wildlife including crocodiles.

10. Private Full Day Quilotoa Lagoon Visit from Guayaquil

Guayaquil, Ecuador Perfect Destiny

This tour will start from Guayaquil at 02:00 AM the departure due to the distance of this destination from Guayaquil. The Quilotao lagoon is considered one of the most beautiful due to its location and the nature and fauna that the place offers us. Definitely a magical place to explore.

Inclusions: Transportation, Professional guide , Hotel pick up and drop-off , Entrance to Shalala Viewpoint, Box Lunch ( 1 Sandwich - 1 Juice - 1 Fruit )

Exclusions: Lunch and Drinks, Gratuities, Kayak activity

Reviewed By geierdianne

A nice way to spend a few hours bike riding on trails; then walking to see wildlife including crocodiles.

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