Quilotoa & Baños 2-Day Tour: Lagoon, Swing & Cable Car
Explore Ecuador's volcanic landscapes, from Quilotoa's crater lake to the adventures of Baños
You spend two days moving through Ecuador's highlands and cloud forest, visiting Quilotoa's crater lake and Baños' adventure attractions. Your guide handles the route and the main entry fees are covered. Bring layers: the altitude and weather change fast.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Quito to Quilotoa and La Casa del Árbol
- Visit small highlands town
- Stop at traditional moorland house
- Visit Tigua community art gallery
- Walk to Quilotoa lagoon
- Time for a typical lunch near the lagoon
- Ride Swing at the End of the World
- Stop by the natural thermal baths
Day 2: Adventure activities in Baños
- Visit Devil's Cauldron waterfall
- Ride cable car over Pastaza River
What’s included
Your two days include a bilingual guide, tourist transportation from Quito and between stops, and entry to Quilotoa Lagoon, Swing at the End of the World, Devil's Cauldron waterfall and a cable car ride over the Pastaza River.
- Every day 07:00
Information
Two-day tour from Quito: Quilotoa lagoon, Swing at the End of the World, Devil's Cauldron waterfall and Pastaza River cable car, entry fees included.
Compare the 12 alternatives
Traveler reviews
The experience
The turquoise water of Quilotoa Lagoon sits 3,914 meters up in the Ecuadorian highlands, and the first time you see it from the rim, you understand why people come back to this lake. Day one starts in Quito and moves through the moorland slowly: your bilingual guide stops at a traditional highland house where families raise guinea pigs, then takes you into the Tigua community, known for its naïf painters, to see works made by hand on llama and sheepskin leather. By afternoon you're at the lagoon itself, walking down into the crater on a trail your guide picks based on weather and how you're feeling. Afterward there's time for a typical highland lunch in the area, and your guide knows where to eat.
Later on day one you reach Baños for the famous Swing at the End of the World, which is exactly what it sounds like, when you swing forward, you look out at Mount Tungurahua and the wilderness spreading out below you. The second day is pure adrenaline, starting at the Devil's Cauldron waterfall, a massive drop of water that fills the air with mist. After that comes the cable car ride across the Pastaza River. The cable car is slow and steady, and from up there you see waterfalls, jungle canopy, and the river cutting through the valley. Both days include transportation from Quito, all the major entry fees, and a guide who knows the region as a local, not someone reading from a script.
The pace is built for people who want to move but not rush. You're not hiking for eight hours or climbing anything technical. The trails at Quilotoa have options depending on difficulty, and the cable car and swing are the kind of activities that feel bold without requiring training. The whole thing is designed so you're not arranging tickets or transport yourself.
Top questions
Can I be picked up at my hotel?
You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 69 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you arrange it with the operator after booking. Pickup is about 45 minutes before departure.
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6).
Do I need to be fit for this tour?
The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. The walks are not technical, and the cable car and swing require no climbing or endurance.
Is the cable car entrance really included?
Yes. Cable car, Quilotoa entry, the Swing at the End of the World, and the Devil's Cauldron waterfall are all included.
What should I pack?
Layers are essential. The highlands are cool and can be wet, and weather changes fast. Bring a light rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and sunscreen. The altitude is high (around 3,900 meters at Quilotoa), so take it easy on day one.
Operated by Quito Tour Bus. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated today
Quilotoa & Baños 2-Day Tour: Lagoon, Swing & Cable Car
2d · EN · ES
from US$ 249 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.