Private Tour

Private Quilotoa Enchanted Crater Lake

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

8 hours

Mobile ticket

This full-day cultural tour begins with a visit to a local indigenous market at Saquilisilí or an historic church in Pujilí (Thursday/Sunday). The drive to Laguna Quilotoa displays a beautiful view of the Andean mountains, passing the ancient canyon of Zumbahua and many indigenous towns and farmlands. Before arriving at Quilotoa we will visit and incredible local gallery in Tigua, where we will have a short painting class to learn about the ancient techniques in this charming town. The tour includes a hike down into the Laguna Quilotoa, a sparkling emerald lake inside the inactive volcano crater. The return hike takes one hour, or there is the option of renting a mule for $12. We will arrive back to Quito in the early evening.

We will arrive back to Quito in the early evening.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Specialized infant seats are available

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Hiking sticks

Lunch

Fees and entrance to Quilotoa reserve, hike to the lake.

Transportation: Comfortable land transportation.

Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure trip leader

Tips

Souvenirs

Optional rent of a horse/mule ($12) on the way back up from the lake

Painting Taller (15 USD per person)

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Quilotoa

We will visit The Quilotoa lagoon, one of the most beautiful volcanic lagoons on the planet. The most significant feature of this lagoon, with a depth of 250 meters, is its turquoise green waters. The Quilotoa is the westernmost volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes, within its crater a caldera with a diameter of almost 9 km has been formed. We will hike down to appreciate how the minerals have given the surface a greenish and bluish hue when it is hit by sunlight. Inside, there are springs that, from the shore, can be seen as bubbling trails that rise to the surface.

6 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Tigua

We will visit the traditional Tigua town, where artists have always been known for decorating masks and drums for their festivals with precision and vibrant color. Their talented hands create an extravaganza of color and beauty that is beyond what would be expected from self-taught artists. Once in here you will have a painting lesson with the ancestral technique of painting on a sheepskin. You will take your creation as a souvenir to remember this unconventional experience.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Private Quilotoa Enchanted Crater Lake

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

23 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

What An Amazing Experience!!
718tracier,
Jan 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Jeannin was an amazing guide! The drive to the highlands was gorgeous and Quilotoa Crater Lake was breathtaking! We recommend hiking boots and hiking sticks to assist with the footing, which can be challenging because it is steep. We would definitely do this trip with Jen again!
Great Guide!
351gregorym,
Jul 8, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great trip with Manuel, on July 3, 2023. Manuel was very knowledgeable about the area, about Quito, and Ecuador. We enjoyed getting to know him. The private tour gave us great flexibility, which was helpful because we were still acclimatizing to the altitude.
Very pleasant
Papuviajera,
Jan 22, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
An incredible experience thanks to Inspiring Ecuador for its seriousness. Your guides with their professionalism and empathy assisted us throughout the trip. In this time of pandemic they complied with biosecurity standards.
Stop dreaming and make it happen
R2000URpamelac,
Jan 22, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We are constantly asking ourselves: how to be happy?, and the answer is easy, we just need to take a risk, take your bag, activate a tour and open your mind for the experience, it is fortunate that on the way to this madness you know how to find people who sincerely cheer the trip and cheer you the decision you made, do not waste time travel in the best company.
Back to Nature
MarthaCVA,
Jan 22, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent pre-trip organization, detailed information about what we should take, meeting points, I could see that if they were complied with biosecurity protocols every time we got on the transport such as: disinfection of shoes before entering, temperature taking, disinfection of clothes, alcohol for hands and that we all wear masks inside and outside the bus. Very good guide with a lot of knowledge of the environment, knows the route and the locality very well. I would definitely travel with Inspiring Ecuador again. I recommend it.
Nice experience
franciscovE5335TL,
Jan 22, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Super nice experience and nice group had a great time. They took us to very nice places. I highly recommend them.
An excellent tourism agency
AndyG2851,
Jan 22, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Of the three trips I have made with Inspiring I have been very satisfied with the Service, the adventures, their knowledge and above all that passion that they bring to reactivate tourism and give a hand to the communities to which we go. Thank you Inspiring for being that much needed link to help us all and value every corner of our beautiful country. I wish them well, I always consider Inspiring in my recommendations and I will definitely continue with more tours with them because I know I am in the best hands. Successes always!
A good experience
805leinaa,
Dec 22, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a very good experience. With excellent people and guides. In addition to knowing beautiful places in our Ecuador, you meet extraordinary people. Inspiring Ecuador has provided us with all these opportunities.
The best
419dailyr,
Dec 20, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The best experience with the best Inspiring Ecuador your professionalism the best guides and attention and always with the right biosecurity measures thank you for giving us unique and incredible moments 🙌🏻👏🏻👏🏻💚
Lake of Quilotoa
Mckaysquinta,
Oct 20, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Beautiful experience of being able to analyze and explore the beauties that Ecuador offers! The Quilotoa was wonderful, really a magical place!