Quilotoa Lake and Shalala Lodge

Quilotoa Lake and Shalala Lodge in 2 days

The Quilotoa lagoon (3850m – 12631ft) is reached by one of the most beautiful routes connecting the highlands with the coast. This volcanic crater filled by a beautiful emerald lake.

Travel program

Itinerary:

Day 1: Quito (9,186ft/2.800m) – Quilotoa Lagoon and Shalala Lodge (3500 m)

Day 2: Village of Chugchilán – Quito

Detailed Program


Day 1: Quito (9,186ft/2.800m) – Quilotoa Lagoon and Shalala Lodge (3500 m)
We’ll leave from Quito (9,186ft/2.800m) in the morning and will drive the Quilotoa Lagoon; during the tour we will stop at an Indian hut. After we will visit the Tigua community to observe the leather crafts that people make in these place. The tour will take us about 4 hours later, we’ll arrive the viewpoint where you can observe the magnitude of the crater and its lagoon background. We will descend along an irregular road; the walk will take us one hour until arrived bottom of the lagoon, there we will have taken photos and rest. we’ll have a lunch at bottom of the lake. Lodging at Quilotoa shalala Lodge www.quilotoashalala.com (D;B;LB)

Day 2: Village of Chugchilán – Quito
Hiking from Laguna Quilotoa to Chugchilán we will have beautiful views of the canyon of Toachi River. First we will walk by the crater edge with impressive views of the lagoon inside, until we descend to the plateau where lies the small indigenous village of Huayama. As we descend the switch back trails down to the Toachi River Gorge, the climate and scenery changes dramatically. Soon we will be surrounded by the canyon walls and hike along the river banks. The hike ranges from 4 to 5 hours and is moderately challenging. We will eat a lunch at Cloud Forest Hostal and Restaurant It is a basic, but friendly and clean hostel run by José Luis , Chugchilán is a well known destination for hikers. This little town is a typical village of a mountain region in Ecuador. It has a small plaza, a church and a school, and most of the people still use a horse or donkey as transport. Here we will feel like a few hundred years back in history. after lunch we will back to Quito in about 4 hours driving. (B/L)

What's Included


Services included in the prices:
  • Entrance fee in quilotoa lake
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Menu lunch (if option selected)
  • Saquisilí indigenous market (only thursday)
  • Indigenous community family
  • Accommodation in Shalala lodge 1 night
  • Tigua community painting gallery
  • Bilingual guide

Not included:
  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Accommodation and meals while in Quito
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Lunch (if option not selected)
  • Gratuities (optional) Tips
  • Mule ride ($10.00usd, subject to change)
  • Kayak rental ($4.00usd, subject to change)
  • Other non-specified expenses

Prices & Dates


Dates & Prices: To be determined / Contact us!
Country / Location: Ecuador
Mountain Guide: Fernando Iza
Other dates / additional info: Contact us!

Legend Booking-information
EZZ - Single room supplement
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