Cotopaxi and Quilotoa in One Day
- Full day, about 12 hours
- Two volcanoes
- Starts and ends in Machachi
- Pickup in Quito available
- Private or small group
Overview
Cotopaxi National Park in the morning and the turquoise Quilotoa crater lake in the afternoon, with a stop in the Andean villages on the way. Starts and ends in Machachi.
Itinerary
Early start in Machachi
An early start at our office in Machachi, or at your hotel in Quito if you add the pickup: it's a full day with two volcanoes.
Starts and ends: our office in Machachi
Pickup in Quito: available as an extra
Cotopaxi National Park and Limpiopungo
The morning in Cotopaxi National Park: views of the volcano and a walk around Limpiopungo Lagoon at 3,830 m.
Through the Andean highlands
The road crosses the high páramo and the farming villages of the Andes, with a stop in the Tigua valley, known for its colorful paintings.
Quilotoa crater lake
The afternoon at the rim of Quilotoa, a turquoise lake inside a volcanic crater about 3 km wide. If there's time, you can walk down to the shore.
Return to Machachi
The drive back to Machachi in the evening, or to your hotel in Quito if you added the pickup.
What's included
Included
- Transport from and to our office in Machachi
- Local English-speaking guide
- Bottled water
Not included
- Breakfast, lunch and bicycle (you can add them as extras)
- Pickup in Quito or other cities (you can add it as an extra)
- Kayak rental and mule ride at Quilotoa, paid locally
- Tips
Good to know
- A long day
- Plan on about 12 hours with several hours of driving. It's the easiest way to see both volcanoes in one day.
- Altitude
- Both places are close to 4,000 m. Walk slowly and drink plenty of water.
How booking works
- Choose your date and group. The price per person drops as your group grows, and you see the total before you send anything.
- Check availability. Nothing is booked or charged yet; we confirm your date first.
- Pay and enjoy. Once confirmed, we send you a secure payment link by email or WhatsApp.
