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- 2-Day Tour of Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon with hotel
2-Day Tour of Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon with hotel
Quito, Ecuador
Overview
You can’t miss the volcanoes when visiting Quito. Explore two of them during this 2-day adventure. Leaving Quito, head south down the ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’ to arrive at Cotopaxi National Park for an Andean-style breakfast. Continue onto to Limpiopungo Lake for hiking and mountain biking through subalpine forests and meadows on your way to Chuquiragua Lodge in Machachi. The adventure continues on Day 2 as we travel to Quilotoa Lagoon, set within an ancient caldera, stopping along the way at a nearby village for lunch and a taste of indigenous culture.
What's Included
English speaking guide
Transport to/from Quito
Accommodation in a Double Room in Chuquiragua Lodge in Machachi
Bike & helmet for Cotopaxi
Lunch (Day 1 and 2) and Breakfast (day 2)
Visits according with the itineraries
Lunch (2)
Breakfast (2)
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
Departure & Return
What To Expect
Itinerary
Day 1
Quito to Cotopaxi Volcano
7 Stops
Meet at 6:45am with the guide and the group at the designated meeting point in Quito.
Duration: 15 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
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.
Drive through pine forest and soon reach the Interpretation Center Mariscal and get to know the volcano and its unique fauna and flora.
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
Duration: 1 hour
Admission Ticket Free
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).
Duration: 2 hours
Admission Ticket Free
A stop between activities will give us time to enjoy a well-deserved lunch to regain strength.
Duration: 1 hour
Admission Ticket Free
Say goodbye to the volcano and get in the van again to drive back. Drop-off at Chuquiragua Lodge in Machachi.
Accommodation:
Lodge in the comfy Chuquiragua lodge Meals:
Breakfast Lunch Day 2
Machachi to Quilotoa Lagoon
4 Stops
Pick-up form Chuquiragua Hotel. 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.
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).
Duration: 1 hour
Admission Ticket Free
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.
Duration: 2 hours
Admission Ticket Free
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.
Accommodation:
Not IncludedMeals:
Breakfast Lunch Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not wheelchair accessible
- 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
- The tour is not private. Travelers will share services with a group. Maximum people per tour 12
- NOTE: This is a sample itinerary. Please keep in mind that due to the nature of this tour and the given that Cotopaxi is an active volcano, this itinerary may vary.
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
Cancellation policy
All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties. Learn more about cancellations.
