Cotopaxi Quilotoa Volcanoes Private Tour with Lunch

Two volcanic lagoons and the snow cone of Cotopaxi in one day

A private full-day tour from Quito visits Cotopaxi National Park and Quilotoa Lagoon with a bilingual guide, private transportation, park entry and lunch included. You'll see the Limpiopungo Lagoon and the Cotopaxi Visitor Center, pass through Andean towns with Panzaleo heritage, and reach the emerald-green waters of Quilotoa, one of the world's 15 most beautiful volcanic lagoons.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Volcanoes

• Depart from Quito
• Pass through Pujilí, Tigua, and Zumbahua
• Explore Cotopaxi National Park
• Visit Limpiopungo Lagoon
• Stop at Cotopaxi Visitor Center
• See Quilotoa Lagoon
• Return to Quito

Stops and time spent at each 3 stops

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

What’s included

• Private transportation and bilingual guide in English or Spanish.
• park entry to both Cotopaxi National Park and Quilotoa Lagoon.
• lunch and bottled water.
• accident insurance.

Times

• Every day 07:00

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Before you book

Group Private 4 group tours ›

Live guide English and Spanish Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Book up to 3h before

Ages Adult (13 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Not recommended with heart problems

Operated by Traveler's Magic

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

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The experience

The tour leaves Quito with a private vehicle and bilingual guide, heading south into the highlands. Cotopaxi National Park is the first stop: a protected area built around the Cotopaxi volcano, an almost perfect snow cone rising to 5,897 meters. From the Limpiopungo Lagoon inside the park, you can see the traces left by ancient volcanic eruptions that formed the lagoon itself. The Cotopaxi Visitor Center has exhibits and a café, and the park entry is included.

Between the two main sites, the route passes through Andean villages (Pujilí, Tigua, and Zumbahua) communities with Panzaleo heritage and roots reaching back to Inca times. These towns show ancestral traditions and daily life that reflect the living history of the Ecuadorian mountains, adding cultural depth to the natural experience. The drive itself becomes part of the day.

Quilotoa Lagoon is the final destination, a volcanic crater lake known for its emerald green color, which shifts in tone depending on the minerals dissolved in the water. Entry to the lagoon is included. Lunch and bottled water are provided throughout the day, and the pace is flexible: the guide adjusts stops and timing to match the group's interests. The full day runs between 7 and 9 hours.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

How high is Cotopaxi volcano and what can you see from Limpiopungo Lagoon?

Cotopaxi stands at 5,897 meters and is one of the world's most symmetrical snow-capped peaks. From Limpiopungo Lagoon inside the park, you can observe the volcanic traces and formations left by Cotopaxi's ancient eruptions, which created the lagoon itself.

Why is Quilotoa Lagoon's water emerald green?

Quilotoa's distinctive emerald color comes from dissolved minerals in the water, and the shade shifts depending on the concentration of those minerals. It's ranked among the 15 most beautiful volcanic lagoons in the world.

What are the Andean villages like that the tour passes through?

Pujilí, Tigua, and Zumbahua are communities with strong Panzaleo heritage dating back to Inca times. They're known for their ancestral traditions, authentic daily life, and landscapes that reflect the living history of the Ecuadorian highlands.

Can the guide adjust the pace and stops during the day?

Yes, the tour is designed with flexible pacing, so the guide adjusts stops and timing based on the group's interests and energy throughout the 7 to 9 hour day.