QUILOTOA: The Mystical Mirror of the Andes


Trip Highlights
Turquoise lagoon: a crater that changes color
Crater trails: hikes with endless views
Descent to the shore: feel the mountain’s power
Community route: living traditions and authentic crafts
Description
Visiting Quilotoa means witnessing a landscape that feels like a dream. The turquoise lagoon, formed inside a volcanic crater, shifts its colors with the daylight and weather, creating a natural spectacle that is never the same twice.
Exploring the Route of Indigenous Communities unveils living traditions, authentic crafts, and stories that connect travelers with the Andean worldview. Hiking along the crater’s rim or descending to the lagoon’s shore is to feel both the power of the mountain and the serenity of the water at once.
Itinerary
Meet your guide and receive a briefing for the day
The journey crosses Andean landscapes and traditional villages, with stops at colorful markets and indigenous communities showcasing crafts and living traditions, before reaching the majestic turquoise Quilotoa lagoon.
Traditional lunch at a local restaurant
A volcano transformed into a natural wonder, where the color-shifting lagoon mesmerizes with shades of green and blue. The descent to the shore is an adventure blending the mountain’s power with the water’s calm, creating a mystical experience that connects travelers with the ancestral energy of the Andes.
Return to Quito and rest at the hotel
Tour Info
Cotopaxi
Why take this tour?
Quilotoa is not just a viewpoint: it is a meeting with the earth’s energy, a place where nature and culture intertwine to offer an experience that goes beyond the ordinary.
Included
National Tourist Guide
Private tour transportation
Lunch at local restaurant
Entrance Tickets to Tourist Sites
Excluded
Meals
Personal expenses
Tips
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