Our guide will pick you up at your Quito hotel in the morning to transfer you south to the Cotopaxi National Park.
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.
Tour duration: 8 Hours / Type: This is a privately tour service.
Warm clothes (including hat, scarf and gloves), and waterproofs are recommended for this tour. Also, remember that it's important to drink lots of water and stay hydrated while at high altitude.
Dinner
English speaking driver/guide
Pickup from the airport or valley area
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.
Hikers advise: Some people who are not from this region don’t know exactly how to deal with locals, especially if they ask for money, ‘caramelos’ (candy) or ‘regalos’ (gifts). You probably will meet local people when you are hiking around. These people obviously have less money than most western travellers. Our experience is that handing out change, pens, or candies to kids or grown-ups along the way is not a very wise thing to connect to these people, or to help them. Giving out of guilt or pity is a lose-lose situation, giving out of respect and friendship is a win-win.
Breakfast
Dinner
After breakfast you have a 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
Breakfast
Dinner
Transfer to Chugchilán (Spanish)
Horseback riding
Spanish speaking native guide
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.
The village of Quilotoa is set at 3,800m so remember to stay hydrated throughout the day to help avoid the effects of the altitude. It can also be very windy and cold, so be prepared. In the Quilotoa community there are nice restaurants serving local food.
Warm clothes (including hat, scarf and gloves), and waterproofs are recommended for this tour. Also, remember that it's important to drink lots of water and stay hydrated while at high altitude.
