Winding through the Ecuadorian Andes, from the Panamericana into the Cotopaxi province, the Quilotoa Loop is a circular road offering a variety of stunning hikes and tours for excellent value. The primary destination of the route is its magnificent sparkling Laguna Quilotoa, an awe-inspiring crater lake ringed by volcanic peaks and believed to be bottomless by some. Connecting several friendly rural farming villages, Quilotoa provides a beautiful and adventurous way to get to know the area’s culture. One of the highlights of this is the incredible array of town markets in Zumbahua (Saturdays), Guantualo (Mondays) and Sasquili (Thursdays). The hike is known for its diversity of trails and options, with its different lengths, difficulty levels, and routes. It is also excellent value for money in comparison to many of the other mountain trails in the country.
Chugchilan is a small Andean village located in northwest Ecuador. Situated roughly in the middle of the popular Quilotoa Loop hiking trail, Chugchilan boasts a host of accommodation options and has become a popular ecotourism destination without losing its traditional charm. Chugchilan is a paradise for nature lovers and offers a fantastic base for exploring the region, with numerous day-hikes - such as tracks to the Rio Toachi Canyon and to Quilotoa (situated above town in a crater) - and longer trails like the Ridge Hike to explore. Other key activities include horse riding through cloud forests in the Iliniza Ecological Reserve, visiting local cheese factories, and checking out the nearby towns of Isinlivi and Guantualo (with its impressive Monday Market).
