You will be picked up from either your hotel in Quito or the Quito airport and taken in a private air-conditioned vehicle to Quilotoa. An English-speaking guide will accompany you on this tour.
The drive from Quito to the Quilotoa is a long one (about three hours) but filled with amazing scenic beauty. Mountains, indigenous communities, colourful Andean handicrafts decorate this magical road that drives you through the Central Highlands of Ecuador to the Quilotoa Volcano.
Arrive at Quilotoa. The stunningly beautiful Quilotoa Lake is located high in the western ranges of the Andes, in the crater of the dormant Quilotoa volcano. The Quilotoa caldera (lake), which dominates the vast Andean countryside, is oval-shaped with steep crater walls that drop more than 300 metres down to a large lake over 2.5 kilometres wide. The alkaline content of the water, when combined with the high copper concentration in the lava, makes the water purely aquamarine in colour. The mysterious emerald waters of this volcanic crater lake offer a striking contrast to distant snow-capped peaks of the Cotopaxi volcano and make for a truly awe-inspiring setting.
Explore the lake and its surroundings. It will take you about a half hour to hike down to the lake. At the lake you can hire a half-an-hour ride on motor boat for $2 (payable direct. The price may vary according to the number of passengers). Kayak rental is also offered for $2 for a half-an-hour. You can hike back if you want, although it is advisable to hire a mule on the return journey up. For $5 you save yourself a challenging steep hike over a sandy slippery terrain. Enjoy the ride up while you take in the amazing view.
Have lunch at the Quilotoa Lodge.
After lunch, enjoy a cozy afternoon or evening by listening to Andean music at the lodge itself, reading a book from the lodge’s library by the warmth of the fireplace, viewing scenic sunsets or watching satellite television.
Overnight at the Posada Tigua Lodge or similar. The lodge sits 200 metres from the very rim of the Quilotoa's volcanic crater lake. It offers clean and very comfortable single, double and triple rooms, with private bath and permanent hot water, and electric blankets. All rooms are decorated with Ecuadorian art and textiles. The Posada Tigua Lodge has a spacious and beautifully decorated restaurant with a wonderful panoramic view, along with a bar and massive stone fireplace, where the local chef serves outstanding menus of Ecuadorian and international food.
After breakfast at the lodge, depart from Quilotoa and head towards the province of Chimborazo, where you will find the spectacular Chimborazo Volcano, the highest inactive volcano (and the tallest peak) in Ecuador. Enroute, visit the indigenous villages of Chuchilan, enjoying the magnificent Andean scenery and Tigua, home of indigenous artists.
Stop for lunch on the way.
In the afternoon, arrive at the El Chimborazo (volcano), where you might like to trek through the foothills of this wonderful inactive Volcano.
Overnight at the Urbina Train Station, an old train station that was restored to be a hotel, located at the foothills of the Chimborazo or similar. Urbina is an old, small train station that sits in the grassy plains below Chimborazo at 11,870 feet. This 100-year old converted station has simple but comfortable rooms, and offers spectacular views of the Chimborazo volcano, silently towering in the background. It is quite common to spot llamas and other Andean animals that stray onto the grassy knolls around the station.
After breakfast, you have the rest of the morning free to enjoy the natural surroundings and the hotel services.
Have lunch at the hotel before beginning your return journey back to Quito.
Afternoon travel back to Quito
Arrive in Quito where your tour ends with a drop-off either at your city hotel or at the Quito airport.