Quilotoa Loop - Standard

Cotopaxi National Park - our driver will pick you up at your Quito hotel in the morning to transfer you south to the Cotopaxi National Park (approx 2 hours journey). First we visit the park museum and the surrounding parkland including the picturesque Limpiopungo Lake. Afterwards we go up to the snowline volcano refuge. After exiting the park we take you deep into the rural Andes to the peaceful village of Isinlivi.

Isinlivi - Today is a free day to explore the local countryside via the many trekking routes available - for beginners or advanced walkers, the hostal has complete information about the options available. Of course you can also explore the village to meet the indigenous people, take snaps of the incredible vistas, or visit the local woodcarving project of Don Bosco and admire their local artisan works.

Cheese Factory + Horseback riding - After breakfast you have an early transfer to the town of Chugchilan, along the way you can enjoy spectacular mountain views. On arrival we take you on a horseback-riding trip on hidden paths through pristine cloudforest which lead to ridges with spectacular Andes views, and visiting a local cheese store (if open) on route

Quilotoa + Tigua - After breakfast we will drive to the famous Quilotoa crater lake which will literally take your breath away! An emerald green laguna inside the crater of an extinct volcano with steep jagged cliffs and views straight down the entire Avenue of the Volcanoes! It is possible to trek into the crater to the lake shore (with optional mule ride out for those with tired limbs), and there are also many other fine trekking opportunities in the local area sometimes referred to as the Grand Canyon of Ecuador. On the way back to Quito we will pass by the Tigua workshop and admire some impressive local artwork with impressions of life in the Andes.