Quilotoa Lagoon day trip from Quito: Hike the crater rim

Hike a volcano crater, meet Andes painters, cross the Avenue of Volcanoes in one day

A guided day tour from Quito to Quilotoa Lagoon combines a moderate hike around a 3-kilometer crater rim, a visit to the Tigua Painter's Community to learn about indigenous Andes cultures, and views of Ecuador's volcanic landscape. Hotel pickup and entrance are included. The tour runs 11 to 12 hours and operates in all weather. A live guide leads in English or Spanish, and lunch is included in the private service option.

Step-by-step itinerary

Quilotoa Lagoon and Volcanoes Avenue Tour

• Travel from Quito to Quilotoa Lagoon
• Admire Andes Mountains views
• Visit Tigua for paintings and culture
• Hike moderately around Quilotoa Lagoon

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Quito hotel and a drive south through the Avenue of Volcanoes: a corridor of peaks that frame the high Ecuadorian Andes. The route itself is the first stop: you'll see the landscape shift as you climb toward the highlands, passing through terrain that shows why this region shaped the cultures living here. After roughly two hours of driving, you arrive at Quilotoa Lagoon, where the real walk begins.

The lagoon sits inside a caldera left behind when the Quilotoa volcano erupted in 1280. The crater is 3 kilometers across, and the water filling it is a brilliant turquoise. The color comes from minerals in the volcanic rock. The hike is moderate and follows the rim. You're not descending into the crater itself, but walking the edge where you can see the whole expanse. The word "quilotoa" comes from Quechua, the language of the indigenous peoples who have lived in these mountains for centuries. This is the centerpiece of the day, and the hike is the reason the tour takes the time it does.

After the lagoon, the tour includes a stop at the Tigua Painter's Community, where you'll see naïf paintings and learn directly about the culture and landscape traditions of the region. This is not a museum visit. It's a chance to meet artists and understand how the Andes and its people are represented in their work. The drive back to Quito takes the afternoon, with hotel drop-off by evening. If you book the private service option, lunch is included. The small group option does not include a meal, so plan accordingly. Vegetarian options are available if you request them when booking.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Quito.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• entrance to Quilotoa Lagoon.
• guided hike around the crater rim.
• visit to the Tigua Painter's Community.
• lunch (private service option only).
• vegetarian meals available upon request.

Options for this experience

2 options

Small group, lunch not includedGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00Includes pickup

Private ServiceGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Includes lunch and pickup, all inclusive

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 to 78 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Latin Adventures Cía Ltda

Is this one for you?Book the private service if your group wants lunch included and prefer a smaller party. Choose the small group option if you're flexible on meals and want to share the cost with other travelers. Either way, the tour handles all logistics (transport, entrance, and timing), so the day holds together without you arranging the route or the stops.

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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 (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.

What exactly is the hike at Quilotoa Lagoon like?

The hike is moderate and follows the rim of the crater, which is 3 kilometers across. You walk around the edge rather than descending into the crater itself, so you're always looking out over the turquoise water and the volcanic landscape. The hike is the main activity of the day and is suitable for all fitness levels, though the altitude and the full day of activity mean it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

How long does the whole tour take from Quito?

The tour runs 11 to 12 hours total, including the drive from Quito (roughly two hours each way), the hike at the lagoon, the visit to Tigua, and time at each stop. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so the day is arranged end-to-end.

Is lunch included, and what if I'm vegetarian?

Lunch is included only in the private service option. The small group option does not include a meal. Vegetarian options are available for either choice. Just let the operator know when you book.

What is the Tigua Painter's Community?

Tigua is a community of indigenous artists in the Andes who create naïf paintings depicting local culture and landscape. The tour includes a visit where you can see their work and learn about the traditions and perspectives of the people who live in this region.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

The hike is moderate and suitable for all fitness levels. However, the tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, since it combines altitude, a full day of activity, and the physical demands of hiking the crater rim. Children from age 5 are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Quito, a live guide in English or Spanish, entrance to Quilotoa Lagoon, and a visit to the Tigua Painter's Community are included in all options. Lunch is included only in the private service option. A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.