Quilotoa Day Trip from Quito: Lagoon Hike & Tigua Art Stop

Quilotoa’s turquoise crater lake hike plus Tigua art and local lunch

You’ll ride out from Quito before dawn toward Quilotoa’s surreal lagoon, hike down into its volcanic crater with a local guide, share lunch overlooking those wild blues and greens, then meet Tigua artists whose work tells stories older than the road itself. There’s something about that first glimpse of water that stays with you long after you’re back in your hotel bed.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Quito, entry fees to Quilotoa Lagoon, guided hiking down to the crater lake shore, a traditional lunch at a local restaurant near the rim, plus time at an authentic Tigua arts workshop before heading back through Andean landscapes in comfort.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Quito to Quilotoa Lagoon and return

• Pick up from Quito hotel
• Stop for breakfast en route
• Visit Tigua crafts workshop
• Hike down to Quilotoa Lagoon shore
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Free time to explore Quilotoa community
• Observe Toachi River canyon from vehicle
• Return to Quito and drop off

The Experience

The first thing I remember is sitting in the van, rubbing sleep out of my eyes as we left Quito before sunrise. Our guide, Andrés, had this calm way of explaining things — he pointed out volcanoes peeking through morning mist and joked about how Ecuadorians can eat soup for breakfast (which we actually did at a roadside spot, and honestly? It was perfect on a chilly morning). The drive to Quilotoa takes a while — maybe four hours — but watching the landscape change from city to patchwork farmland made it feel shorter. I dozed off somewhere after Latacunga, woke up just as we hit the highlands, and suddenly there was that shock of blue-green water down in the crater. Photos don’t get it right.

We hiked down to the shore of Quilotoa Lagoon together — dusty switchbacks underfoot, wind tugging at my jacket. A few dogs trotted past us like they owned the place. My legs were jelly by the time we reached the bottom, but dipping my fingers in that icy water felt worth it. Andrés told us stories about local Kichwa communities living around here; he even taught us how to say “thank you” in Kichwa (I forgot immediately — sorry Andrés). Lunch came next at a small restaurant above the crater rim: hot soup again (I’m not complaining), rice with chicken, and this tangy homemade ají sauce that I still think about sometimes.

After lunch we stopped in Tigua village for a crafts workshop. The artists showed us their paintings — all these wild colors and tiny details of Andean life. I tried asking about one scene with llamas and mountains; Li laughed when I tried to say it in Spanish — probably butchered it. On the way back to Quito, everyone was quiet for a while, watching clouds roll over the Toachi canyon out the window. We got dropped off at our hostels around 8pm. I slept like a rock that night.

Top questions

How long does the Quilotoa day trip from Quito take?

The full day trip lasts about 12 hours including transport; you leave early morning and return around 8:00 pm.

Is hotel pickup included for this Quilotoa tour?

Yes, hotel or hostel pickup and drop-off within central Quito areas are included.

Do you need to be very fit for the Quilotoa hike?

The hike is manageable for most fitness levels but walking back up from the lagoon can be challenging due to altitude.

Is lunch provided during this day trip?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant near Quilotoa Lagoon is included in the tour.

What else do you see besides Quilotoa Lagoon?

You’ll also visit a crafts workshop in Tigua village and observe Toachi canyon on the drive back.

Are entrance fees included in this tour?

Yes, entrance fees for Quilotoa Lagoon are covered by your booking.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this tour?

A bilingual (Spanish/English) guide accompanies you throughout the day.