Quilotoa Lagoon Day Trip from Quito with Volcanoes Views

Summary

Quilotoa’s turquoise crater, Tigua art stops & Andean volcanoes

You’ll ride out from Quito along the Avenue of Volcanoes, meet Tigua artists in their village, and hike down toward Quilotoa’s surreal blue lagoon with a local guide. Taste traditional food for lunch and take in Andean mountain air—it’s a day packed with color and quiet moments you might not expect.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t realize how fast the landscape would change after we left Quito—one minute city noise, next minute just these endless green folds and clouds hanging low over the Avenue of Volcanoes. Our guide, Diego, told us stories about each peak as we drove. I kept trying to spot Cotopaxi through the mist. He laughed when I asked if it ever gets sunny here—apparently not that often, but honestly, the fog made it feel kind of mysterious.

The first real stop was this tiny Tigua painter’s community. I’d seen their naïf paintings in markets before but never watched someone actually paint them. The colors are so bright against all that grey sky—roosters, llamas, mountains squeezed into every inch of canvas. One artist let me try a brushstroke (I messed it up; he just grinned and fixed it). The smell of oil paint mixed with woodsmoke from somewhere nearby stuck with me for hours.

Then Quilotoa Lagoon itself—hard to describe without sounding dramatic. You walk up to the edge and there’s this huge turquoise bowl just sitting there where a volcano blew itself apart centuries ago. The wind was sharp enough to sting my ears; I could taste dust when we started down the path. Some people hiked all the way to the water—I only made it halfway before my legs started complaining (Diego said that happens to everyone). Going back up is another story… but you do get used to stopping every few minutes “to admire the view,” which is code for catching your breath.

Lunch was simple—hot soup and rice with chicken at a roadside place, nothing fancy but somehow perfect after that hike. On the drive back to Quito, I watched fog roll over everything again and thought about how quiet it felt out there compared to home. I still think about that view down into Quilotoa sometimes—how small you feel standing on the edge like that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Quilotoa Lagoon and Andes culture tour

• Travel from Quito to Quilotoa Lagoon
• Admire Quilotoa volcano caldera and lagoon
• Hike moderately around the lagoon
• Enjoy views of the Andes Mountains
• Visit Tigua for paintings and culture

Top questions

How long does the Quilotoa Lagoon day trip from Quito take?

The tour lasts a full day including travel time between Quito and Quilotoa Lagoon.

Is lunch included on this Quilotoa tour?

Lunch is included if you book private service; otherwise meals may be extra.

What is the difficulty level of hiking at Quilotoa?

The hike is moderate; walking down is easier than coming back up due to steepness.

Are hotel pickups offered for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Quito are included in your booking.

Can vegetarians be accommodated for lunch?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if you request at booking time.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult throughout the trip.

Does this tour operate in bad weather?

The tour runs in all weather conditions; dress appropriately for rain or cold.

What else do we see besides Quilotoa Lagoon?

You’ll see views of Andes volcanoes and visit Tigua painter’s community for local art and culture.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Quito, guided activities along Volcanoes Avenue, entrance tickets to Quilotoa Lagoon and Tigua community visits, plus a menu lunch if you choose private service before heading back in comfort at sunset.