2-Day Tour of Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon with hotel

5.0
(3 reviews)

2 days (approximately)
Offered in: English and 1 more

Take a 2-day trip through the Avenue of the Volcanoes towards two of the most important landmarks in the Ecuadorian Sierra: Cotapaxi and Quilotoa. On day one, visit Cotopaxi Volcano and climb up to the first refugee, take an optional bike ride afterwards. Lodge in the comfy Chuquiragua lodge and get ready for your next adventure. On day two, ride towards Quilotoa Crater Lagoon for an amazing hike. Visit Tigua artisan’s town to end you adventure before returning back to Quito.      

What's Included

English speaking guide
Lunch (Optional[2])
Lunch
Accommodation in a Double Room in Hotel Casa Sakiwa in Machachi
Breakfast
Bike & helmet for Cotopaxi
Transport to/from Quito
Visits according with the itineraries
Entry fee to Quilotoa Lagoon USD $2 per person
Hotel pickup and drop-off (meeting point is Barrio Mariscal - See notes)
Additional food and drinks.
Items/ activities not mentioned on the itinerary
Gratuities

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meeting point: Mariscal Foch and Juan Leon Mera. at 06h50 am. In the center of Quito: Plaza San Blas: Caldas st and Pichincha.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 2 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Quito to Cotopaxi Volcano

    7 stops
  • 1

    Meet at 6:45am with the guide and the group at the designated meeting point in Quito.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Cotopaxi National Park

    At 7am we leave by car driving south of Quito for approx. 1.5-hour through the Pan-American highway aka. Avenue of the Volcanoes. We'll then reach the park entrance of Cotopaxi National Park and the get ready to enjoy a fresh Andean-style breakfast.

  • 3
    Cotopaxi National Park

    Drive through pine forest and soon reach the Interpretation Center Mariscal and get to know the volcano and its unique fauna and flora.

  • 4
    Laguna de Limpiopungo

    Afterwards, and depending on the physical abilities of the group, drive towards Limpiopungo Lake located at 3.800 m or Rinconada camping zone, to enjoy a hike around this stunning environment to observe birds and the magnificent view of Cotopaxi Volcano

    1 hour Admission ticket free
  • 5
    Cotopaxi National Park

    Get your helmets, gloves on and begin your bike adventure. Bike on dirt roads through volcanic ash and a tundra landscape for about 7 kilometers until the North gate of the Park and continue along the Paramo landscape until reaching the main entrance of the park. 10 km. approx. - ride on paved road). Cross the main gate and bike along a short pine forest single trek to reach the main road (optional).

    2 hours Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Cotopaxi National Park

    A stop between activities will give us time to enjoy a well-deserved lunch to regain strength.

    1 hour Admission ticket free
  • 7

    Say goodbye to the volcano and get in the van again to drive back. Drop-off at Hotel Casa Sakiwa in Machachi.

    Admission ticket free
  • Day 2

    Machachi to Quilotoa Lagoon

    4 stops
  • 8

    Pick-up form Hotel Casa Sakiwa. The first stop will be Latacunga City at Cotopaxi Province. From this point, head west for a 1-hour drive through the unforgettable Andean scenery towards the village of Quilotoa.

  • 9
    Mercado Indigena

    Visit a local town and get in contact with the Andean culture (either Saquisilí or Pujilí). Get the chance to mix with the rich Andean culture of the local community that inhabits the surrounding area by visiting either Saquisil, Pujili or Zimbahua Indian markets (depends on the day).

    1 hour Admission ticket free
  • 10
    Laguna Quilotoa

    The lovely town of Zimbahua comes right before we start hiking down towards the turquoise colored Quilotoa Lagoon. Trek around this natural wonder of water holding strong minerals, formed by the collapsed volcanic caldera. From the rim hike down towards the banks of the lagoon and then climb back up.

    2 hours Admission ticket free
  • 11

    Have lunch at a local restaurant and then stop at the small town Tigua (famous for the Tigua art - paintings made with chicken feather brushes over sheep hide canvas - a celebration of the mountain life, the festivals, the legends, and traditions of the area). In the late afternoon, head back to Quito.

Additional info

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather or events beyond our control (force mejeure) no refunds are applicable.
  • Important: we recommend you to bring warm clothes (layers), eaterproof jacket, gloves, sunscreen, hat, hiking shoes, extra pair of socks, extra pants, sunglasses, sun cream and walking stick, water bottle
Supplied by Galapagos Tours Nature Galapagos & Ecuador

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Tags

Nature and Wildlife Tours
Overnight Tours
Multi-day Tours
Bus Tours
Small Group
Adventure Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

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5.0 Based on 3 3 reviews
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