Day 1 : Quito – Quilotoa

Private transportation from Quito to Quilotoa

Excursion Indigenous Markets and Chugchilan

We start our day by visiting an Indigenous market in the towns of either Saquisilí, Pujili or Latacunga, depending on the days these markets take place. Saquisili Market, for instance, only takes places on Thursday.

These markets are as authentic and non-tourist as you can be found in Ecuador today. They are important for the local indigenous people because the markets are the center of their social and economic worlds. You will find pig parts, green bananas (used to feed cattle), all kinds of fruit, yarns, ropes, ceramics, used clothing, pails and stacks of shovels and axes for sale. Ceramics are particularly common in these markets as there is a lot of clay in the surrounding hills.

Also,we will stop to visit the art galleries in the community of Tigua, where we will be able appreciate the paintings representative of the folklore of this special part of ​​the Andes. The brightly coloured naïve style of the area’s painters, currently the third generation, has transcended local boundaries and is now internationally renowned. These days there are a lot of painters in Tigua, but Julio Toaquiza was the first, and is still number one. We will visit Julio in his studio, and you will be able to see why his work is appreciated for the bright colours, the meticulous detail, and the stories his paintings tell of life in the high Andes: the volcanoes, the condors, and the indigenous communities with their legends.

Lunch included.

Night at the Mama Hilda (Standard Room)

Included: transportation, excursion, English speaking guide,lunch, accommodation and dinner

Day 2 : Quilotoa
Trek Quilotoa to Chugchilan

After breakfast, we will meet for the first time the impressive volcanic crater of Quilotoa with a serene mysterious looking green lake inside. The volcano’s bowels 400 m down head towards a deep ascending cut in the rim of the volcano right of the car park.

The 5 hour hike back to Chugchilan is one of the best in Ecuador with stunning views of the Crater Lake, passing through the indigenous village of Guayama and crossing the Rio Sihui Canyon, a tributary to the Rio Toachi. Going the other way (from Chugchilan to the lake) is certainly possible, but because the hike is mostly uphill, you should budget an extra 2 hours or more (6 to 9 hours total).

Later you will have time to relax at our hotel.

Night at the Mama Hilda (Standard Room)

Included: breakfast, English speaking guide, excursion, transportation, box lunch, accommodation and dinner

Day 3 : Quilotoa – Quito
Quilotoa Crater Loop

After breakfast, you will visit the volcanic crater of Quilotoa with a serene mysterious looking green lake inside. The volcano’s bowels 400 m down head towards a deep ascending cut in the rim of the volcano right of the car park or we can walk around the total circumference of the rim (6 hours approximately).

Private transportation from Quilotoa to Quito.
Included: breakfast, entrance fees, excursion, English speaking guide, box lunch,