Back

Hike the Quilotoa Loop

Quilatoa Volcano

Get stuck into Ecuador's beautiful highland scenery and traditional markets on this rewarding circuit.

Venture off the beaten track for a quintessentially South American experience, coupling jaw-dropping natural scenery with the authentic culture of small highland communities.

The crater lake of Quilotoa lies within untouched countryside, a dramatic eruption of turquoise in a verdant and serene landscape. This is Andean Ecuador at its most beguiling, and a peppering of tiny villages huddled beneath jutting mountain peaks lends additional colour to the scene. Many host traditional early-morning markets where indigenous villagers from across the surrounding area congregate to catch up on all the latest gossip and trade at stalls piled high with fruit, livestock and textiles.

After visiting one of these markets, you’ll visit the magnificent crater lake, 3914m, with the opportunity to walk the full circuit around its crumpled volcanic edges. Stay in the archetypal highland town of Chugchilán, from where with an optional extra day’s hiking it’s possible to walk back down to Quilotoa on one of the country’s most scenic trails.

 

Activity Rating: easy

Holidays Hike the Quilotoa Loop

From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.

4x4 vehicle in Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador

Private Journeys

Ecuador & Galapagos Islands

Self-drive Ecuador: The Avenue of the Volcanoes

11 days from £2,850pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Alex
    Alex Walker - Travel Expert

    A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

  • Paul Winrow Giffin
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

0 1 2 3 4 5