Tigua Painting Workshop & Quilotoa Lagoon: Learn Andean Art

Paint on sheepskin, then stand at the rim of an extinct volcano.

This full-day class in the Andes combines a visit to an Indigenous market, hands-on painting instruction in the Tigua community using ancestral techniques on sheepskin, and a hike to Quilotoa Lagoon's turquoise crater. A bilingual guide teaches you to create your own mini-painting to take home, then leads you to panoramic views and down to the lagoon's edge, with the option to return by mule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Market, painting, volcano hike, and lunch

• Visit Indigenous market
• Attend Tigua painting workshop
• Enjoy panoramic view of Quilotoa Lagoon
• Hike down to lagoon shore
• Return hike or mule ride up
• Have lunch at local spot

The experience

The day starts at a working Indigenous market in Pujilí or Saquisilí, where you move through stalls of fresh produce and Andean goods to see how the highlands trade works in real time. From there you head into the Tigua community, where a local artist walks you through the ancestral painting process step by step. Sheepskin serves as the canvas, and you learn the techniques that have defined Tigua art for generations, then you paint your own piece and carry it home as a souvenir that came from your hands, not a shop shelf.

After lunch at a local spot serving authentic Andean food, the landscape shifts to the volcanic crater. You reach a viewpoint where Quilotoa Lagoon spreads below in turquoise water, framed by the deep canyon walls of the extinct volcano. From there you hike downhill toward the crater floor and the lagoon's edge. The return climb is your choice: walk back up on foot, or rent a mule for the ascent if the descent has worn you out.

A bilingual guide handles the route and timing throughout the roughly nine to ten hours, and entrance fees to both the Tigua community and Quilotoa Lagoon are covered. Bring water and wear layers: the Andes shift temperature as you climb and descend, and weather can change fast.

What’s included

• Entrance to Quilotoa Lagoon and the Tigua community.
• a bottle of purified water.
• a bilingual professional guide for the full day.
• instruction in Tigua painting techniques and all materials to create your own mini-painting on sheepskin that you take home.

Options for this experience

3 options

Grand ExpeditionUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 07:30A driver and professional guide, with transport by minivan (5 passengers plus guide) or minibus (6 to 10 passengers plus guide). Pickup is included.

Family and FriendsUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 07:30A special SUV (up to 4 passengers) or a minivan is available, with a driver guide. Pickup is included.

Mini GroupUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 07:30A driver guide SUV (Toyota, Renault or Kia). Pickup is included.

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 dayDeparts at 07:30

AgesAdult (12 to 96 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: 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.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Andean Roots Travel

Is this one for you?The painting workshop is the core of this day, so choose it if you want to learn a real skill and leave with something you made yourself rather than just observe art being made. The hike to the lagoon and back is built around the workshop timing, not the other way around, so you're not rushing through the painting to fit in more walking.

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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 (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is the Tigua painting technique, and will I actually be able to learn it in one session?

Tigua artists paint on sheepskin using ancestral methods passed down through generations, depicting scenes of daily life and the landscape. A local master teaches you the core technique during the workshop, and you complete your own mini-painting in the same session, taking it home as a finished piece rather than an unfinished study.

How difficult is the hike down to Quilotoa Lagoon and back up?

The descent to the crater floor is downhill and manageable for most fitness levels, but the return ascent is steep. You can walk back up if you're comfortable with the climb, or rent a mule for the return journey at an additional cost. The choice is yours depending on how you feel after the day.

What will I see at the Indigenous market, and how much time do we spend there?

The market in Pujilí or Saquisilí is an active trading hub where vendors sell fresh fruits, vegetables, and other Andean products. You explore the colorful stalls and observe the daily commerce and traditions of the highlands, getting a direct look at how local life works rather than a staged version.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food will we eat?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, but your guide will recommend a local restaurant where you can order authentic Andean cuisine and eat at your own pace. This gives you a real taste of the region's culinary traditions without the tour operator choosing your meal.

What should I bring or wear for a full day combining a market, a painting workshop, and a volcano hike?

Wear smart casual clothing in layers, since the Andes shift temperature as you move between elevations and the weather can change throughout the day. Bring a valid passport, sunscreen, and comfortable hiking shoes. A bottle of purified water is provided, but you may want to carry extra.