Cotopaxi Quilotoa Volcano Tour: Two Peaks in One Day

Two of Ecuador's highest volcanoes in a single day from Quito

This full-day tour from Quito combines Cotopaxi National Park and Quilotoa Crater Lake on the Avenue of the Volcanoes. You hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon for views of Cotopaxi, one of the world's highest active volcanoes, then drive to Quilotoa to see its emerald crater lake and Andes views. Hotel pickup, bilingual guide, lunch and both park entries are included.

Options for this experience

2 options

From US$ 300 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Small Group 07:30 Guide in English or Spanish Lasts 10 hours, includes lunch, and pickup is included

Private 07:30 Guide in English or Spanish Lasts 9 hours, includes lunch and a jeep, and pickup is included

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Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Volcanoes

• Hotel pickup in Quito
• Travel along Avenue of the Volcanoes
• Hike around Limpiopungo Lake
• Explore Cotopaxi National Park
• Visit Quilotoa Crater Lake
• Hike to bottom of Quilotoa Lagoon

Stops and time spent at each 3 stops

1. Cotopaxi National Park Entry included 1h
2. Limpiopungo Lagoon Entry included 1h
3. Quilotoa Lagoon Entry included 2h

What’s included

• Bilingual tour guide in English or Spanish.
• lunch.
• air-conditioned vehicle with private transportation.
• entrance to Cotopaxi National Park.
• entrance to Quilotoa Volcano.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Quito.

Times

• Every day 07:30

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Before you book

Group Private 8 group tours ›

Live guide English and Spanish Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Book up to 4h before

Ages Adult (12 to 90 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Quito Trips

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

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The experience

Hotel pickup in Quito starts the day, and the drive along the Avenue of the Volcanoes takes you south toward Cotopaxi National Park. Once there, you hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon, a short walk that frames the volcano itself and lets you move through the high-altitude landscape at your own pace. The lagoon sits inside the park boundary, so the volcano dominates the view without requiring a steep climb.

After Cotopaxi, the route continues to Quilotoa, where the crater lake's color, a vivid emerald green, comes from mineral deposits in the water. You have the chance to hike down to the lake's edge if you want a closer look, or stay at the rim for the Andes views. Lunch happens during the day, and a bilingual guide explains what you're seeing at each stop. The eight to ten hour duration includes all driving time between Quito and the two sites.

The tour works because both volcanoes fit into one departure from the city, which matters if you have only a day to spend outside Quito. A moderate level of fitness helps with the hiking, particularly at altitude, but neither hike is technical or long.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What is the hike around Limpiopungo Lagoon like?

Limpiopungo Lagoon is a short walk inside Cotopaxi National Park that circles the water with views of the volcano. It's a moderate walk at high altitude, not a steep climb, and it's the main hiking component of the tour.

Can I actually hike down to Quilotoa Crater Lake, or just see it from above?

Quilotoa Crater Lake sits at the bottom of the crater, and you have the option to hike down to the water's edge if you want. The rim itself offers Andes views, so you can choose how far down to go based on your energy and time.

How high are these volcanoes, and will altitude affect me?

Cotopaxi is one of the world's highest active volcanoes, and Quilotoa sits in the high Andes. The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness because of the altitude. If you're sensitive to elevation, take it slow on the hikes and let your guide know.

Is the tour private or shared with other travelers?

You can choose between a private tour for your group or a small group tour with other travelers. Both options include the same sites, guide, lunch and park entries. The difference is who else is on the vehicle.