Quilotoa Lagoon Day Trip: Crater Walk & Markets

Walk into a crater lake high in the Andes, then explore the markets and villages that feed it

A full-day tour from Quito to Quilotoa Lagoon combines a walk down into the crater and back with stops at indigenous markets, an artisan gallery and a local hut, ending with lunch at the lagoon. Pickup starts at 7:15 am from Quito Old Town. The tour returns around 6 pm. A bilingual guide leads the group, and entrance to the lagoon is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Quilotoa adventure and culture

• Pick up at 07:15 am
• Visit Saquisilí or Pujilí market
• Visit indigenous hut
• Stop at Tigua artisans gallery
• Stop at Toachi Canyon Viewpoint
• Walk into Quilotoa crater and return
• Lunch at Quilotoa
• Return to Quito, arrive around 6:00 pm

The experience

The day starts with pickup in Quito at 7:15 am and a drive into the highlands. A couple of hours out, you'll stop at indigenous markets (the Saquisilí market on Thursdays or the Pujilí market on Sundays, depending on the day), where vendors trade goods from the tropical lowlands and the Andes in the same space. You'll visit an indigenous hut to see how local families live, then stop at the Tigua artisans' gallery to see the colorful wooden masks and sheepskin paintings the region is known for. A viewpoint at Toachi Canyon breaks up the drive before you reach the lagoon itself.

At Quilotoa, you walk down into the crater to the water's edge and back up: the main physical commitment of the day. Lunch happens at the lagoon after the walk. The tour wraps with the drive back to Quito, arriving around 6 pm. A bilingual guide (English or Spanish) stays with the group throughout, and entrance to Quilotoa Lagoon is included in the price. Transportation is comfortable and authorized for tourist use.

What’s included

• Entrance ticket to Quilotoa Lagoon.
• bilingual guide (English or Spanish) for each activity.
• comfortable authorized transportation from Quito.
• Ecuadorian lunch at the lagoon.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 07:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Child (12 to 17 years) · Infant (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Friends Expeditions

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a full day free and prefer moving with a group on a set schedule rather than self-guiding. The crater walk includes steep sections and high altitude.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (12 to 17 years); Infant (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How difficult is the walk down into Quilotoa crater?

The walk into the crater and back requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The operator does not recommend the tour for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or for pregnant travelers. Children are welcome from age 5 onward.

Which indigenous market will I visit on my tour date?

The Saquisilí market operates on Thursdays and the Pujilí market on Sundays. The tour visits whichever one falls on your departure day, as both are a couple of hours from Quito on the way to the lagoon.

What is included in the tour price?

Entrance to Quilotoa Lagoon, a bilingual guide for all activities, comfortable transportation from Quito, and lunch at the lagoon are included. Breakfast, drinks, tips and extra activities like kayaking or horse riding are not.

What time does the tour pick me up and when do I return to Quito?

Pickup is at 7:15 am from Quito Old Town. The tour returns to Quito around 6 pm, making it a roughly 10- to 12-hour day.

Can I arrange pickup from my hotel instead of Quito Old Town?

Pickup from your own accommodation can be arranged for groups of more than four people. Groups of more than six may incur a small additional cost for this service.