Quilotoa & Baños 2-Day Tour: Lagoon, Swing & Cable Car

Discover local markets and hot springs while exploring Ecuador’s volcanic landscapes

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, all entry fees are covered, and you return to Quito by evening on day two. Bring layers—the altitude and weather change fast.

Is this one for you?Book this if you want Ecuador's most famous highland and adventure attractions in one trip without arranging your own transport, guides, or tickets—the two-day structure is what fits all the major stops into one journey from Quito.

What’s included

• Your two days include bilingual guide, hotel pickup and return to Quito, all transportation between stops, entry to Quilotoa Lagoon, the Swing at the End of the World, Devil's Cauldron waterfall, and cable car over the Pastaza River.
• Meals are not included, though your guide will direct you to local restaurants.
• Optional thermal baths in Baños have a separate entrance fee.

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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
• Enjoy typical lunch near lagoon
• Ride Swing at the End of the World
• Optional visit to natural thermal baths

Day 2 — Adventure activities in Baños

• Visit Devil´s Cauldron waterfall
• Ride cable car over Pastaza River

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 still raise guinea pigs the way they have for generations, then takes you into the Tigua community to watch artists hand-paint 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. Lunch happens in the town after, and it's typical highland food—not included in the price, but your guide knows where to eat.

The second day is pure adrenaline. You start at the Swing at the End of the World in Baños, which is exactly what it sounds like—a wooden swing that hangs out over a cliff, and when you swing forward, you're looking down at Mount Tungurahua and the wilderness spreading out below you. Then comes the Devil's Cauldron waterfall, a massive drop of water that fills the air with mist, and after that 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. Small children can come—the stroller works on the easier paths—and the whole thing is designed so you're not arranging tickets or transport yourself.

Top questions

How long is the walk at Quilotoa Lagoon?

The descent and return depend on which trail you take. Your guide chooses based on weather and fitness, and the options range from easier to more challenging. Lunch happens after in the town below.

Is food included?

No. Lunch on day one at Quilotoa and meals in Baños are your own cost, but your guide will recommend where to eat and can help you order.

What time does the tour start and end?

Day one departs Quito in the morning and returns in the evening. Day two starts early in Baños and you're back in Quito by evening. Exact times depend on your hotel location.

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.

What's the group size?

The reference doesn't specify a maximum, but the tour uses small-group transportation and a bilingual guide.

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. Only meals and optional thermal baths cost extra.

Can I do just one day instead of two?

The tour is structured as a two-day package. Check with the operator about single-day alternatives if you're short on time.

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.