You will be picked up from either your hotel or the Quito airport and taken in a private air-conditioned vehicle to the Antisana Ecological Reserve . The drive takes about two hours. An English-speaking guide will accompany you on this tour.
Drive southeast from Quito for about an hour, covering approximately 60 kilometres, and then begin the climb up the Antisana volcano. Admire the spectacular scenery on the way up with close-up views of a massive glacial moraine, said to date back to some 11,000 years. As your vehicle climbs higher on a good paved road, you can feast your eyes on the spectacular scenery with jagged rocky peaks and the glacier-covered summit above the tree line.
There will be a brief stop for an overview of the impressive lava flow at Antisanilla, and then further on to admire a huge wall of cliffs across a narrow canyon, where condors breed and can be seen fairly regularly.
Arrive at the Antisana Ecological Reserve.
After lunch in the Hacienda Antisana, set out to explore this beautiful reserve. A great variety of birds can be spotted around the many paramo lakes and ponds, such as the highly endangered black-faced ibis, cinereous conebills, brown speckled teal, Andean lapwings, many carunculated caracaras, black wing doves, and the rare siskin.
Overnight at the Hacienda La Ciénega in Lasso or similar. The 400-year old Hacienda La Cienega is one of Ecuador's oldest colonial haciendas (family estate). Situated near the slopes of majestic Cotopaxi volcano and its National Park, this mansion has 28 rooms, 2 junior suites and 2 deluxe suites with private bathroom, hot running water, telephone and heater. There is a restaurant with fine national and international cuisine, and a bar.
After breakfast, set out early in the morning to the Quilotoa crater and lake, in the tiny village of 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.
Enjoy your lunch at the Hosteria or restaurant in the area.
After your meal, you may set out to 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. It is better to hire a mule for your return. 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.
Or, if you prefer, 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 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, depart Quilotoa and proceed towards the towns of Tigua and Chuchilan. The drive takes you through some breathtaking Andean scenery before you arrive at the small village of Chuchilan. This village is built into the mountainside overlooking the spectacular Rio Toachi canyon. Tigua is a small town with a community dedicated to produce paintings on dried sheepskin. These very colourful paintings are made on sheepskin canvases and then mounted on wooden frames. They portray the land and unique customs of the people that live around the Quilotoa Lake.
Begin your return journey to Quito, stopping for lunch on the way.
Arrive in Quito where your tour ends with a drop-off either at your city hotel or at the Quito airport.