Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below
Overview
This full-day cultural tour begins with a visit to a local indigenous market at Saquilisilí or an historic church in Pujilí (Thursday/Sunday). The drive to Laguna Quilotoa displays a beautiful view of the Andean mountains, passing the ancient canyon of Zumbahua and many indigenous towns and farmlands. Before arriving at Quilotoa we will visit and incredible local gallery in Tigua, where we will have a short painting class to learn about the ancient techniques in this charming town. The tour includes a hike down into the Laguna Quilotoa, a sparkling emerald lake inside the inactive volcano crater. The return hike takes one hour, or there is the option of renting a mule for $12. We will arrive back to Quito in the early evening.
We will arrive back to Quito in the early evening.
What's included
Hiking sticks
Lunch
Fees and entrance to Quilotoa reserve, hike to the lake.
Transportation: Comfortable land transportation.
Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure trip leader
Tips
Souvenirs
Optional rent of a horse/mule ($12) on the way back up from the lake
Painting Taller (15 USD per person)
What to expect
Quilotoa
6h
We will visit The Quilotoa lagoon, one of the most beautiful volcanic lagoons on the planet. The most significant feature of this lagoon, with a depth of 250 meters, is its turquoise green waters. The Quilotoa is the westernmost volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes, within its crater a caldera with a diameter of almost 9 km has been formed. We will hike down to appreciate how the minerals have given the surface a greenish and bluish hue when it is hit by sunlight. Inside, there are springs that, from the shore, can be seen as bubbling trails that rise to the surface.
Tigua
1h
We will visit the traditional Tigua town, where artists have always been known for decorating masks and drums for their festivals with precision and vibrant color. Their talented hands create an extravaganza of color and beauty that is beyond what would be expected from self-taught artists. Once in here you will have a painting lesson with the ancestral technique of painting on a sheepskin. You will take your creation as a souvenir to remember this unconventional experience.
Canon del Rio Toachi
30m · Admission ticket included
We will visit the viewpoint of Toachi Canyon, a great geographical accident in the form of a gigantic ravine that partly crosses the reserve and is visible from a natural viewpoint in the vicinity of Sigchos. This geographical feature has a viewpoint to appreciate its beautiful landscape in whose deep interior runs the Toachi River, the main hydrographic axis of the Area.
Meeting and pickup
Pickup details
We pick passengers from hotels located in Quito old town and new town.
Additional information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
