Quilotoa Loop Ecuador: Guide to the Famous Hiking Trail

Would you like to trek around the Andes mountains, stopping at some small Ecuadorian villages, markets, factories, and farms between hikes? Find out more about the Quilotoa Loop Ecuador through this guide.

Ecuador has numerous hiking trails; one of the most famous is the Quilotoa Loop. Travelers worldwide love to enjoy this multi-day trek filled with cultural beauty and volcanic views. 

The views of the mountains with Laguna de Quilotoa (Quilotoa Lake), an emerald lake filling the crater of the Quilotoa Volcano, is an experience that is not to be missed. 

What Is the Quilotoa Loop Ecuador?

Quilotoa Loop is a 24.8-mile (40 kilometers) circular trek around Quilotoa Volcano, with an altitude of 12,841 feet (3,914 meters) above sea level. The loop is a bumpy mountainous road that links many towns and Andean villages with the city of Latacunga. 

Many visitors love to go on a day trip from Quito to admire the beauty of this beautiful place filled with many dormant and active volcanoes. However, some adventurers take a step further to experience this amazing cultural trek. 

You can follow 1 route, and you can either hike it one way or the other:

1. Start from Sigchos and end up at Quilotoa Crater Lake – the way we recommend.
2. Start from Quilotoa Lake and end the trip at Sigchos. 

The first route is from north to south, which is more convenient for beginners. However, if you are an expert climber with a lot of trekking experience, you can go for the second route, which is south to north.

On your trip, you will be passing through various towns and villages. These include Quilotoa, Isinlivi, Sigchos, and Chugchilan. The total trek will require 3 days to complete.

How To Get to the Quilotoa Loop

Using Public Transportation

Using public transport is the cheapest and most convenient option. To get the transport to Quilotoa Lake, you must head towards the Quitumbe bus terminal. The bus will take you to the city of Latacunga. The bus driver can tell you where to get off. 

When I was there, there were a lot of other tourists that were headed in the same direction.

From there, you can choose one of the 2 trekking routes available:

• For Trekking Route 1 – From Sigchos to Quilotoa Crater Lake

If you choose to trek from Sigchos to Quilotoa, the bus ride from Latacunga will take around 3 hours to reach the starting point in Sigchos. If you arrive late in the dark, spend a night at Sigchos, as starting the hike is not recommended after midday. 

• For Trekking Route 2 – From Quilotoa Crater Lake to Sigchos

If you want to trek from Quilotoa to Sigchos (north to south), take a bus from Latacunga to Zumbahua. The bus will take about 2 hours to reach the destination.

From Zumbahua, ask for a ride, such as a private car or hitch a ride in a pick-up truck, to take you to Quilotoa. 

Hiring Tour Operators 

Hiring a tour agency can make things easier for you. However, you can only get the service in Quito. Quito is generally safe, so you don’t have to worry. A full-day trip to the Quilotoa loop starts at $60 per person, but that doesn’t include the full trek. 

The 3-day tour charges around $510 per person. These packages are expensive, but the facilities and convenience make up for it. 

Where to Stay in Quilotoa

1. Latacunga

Latacunga is the gateway to Quilotoa Loop, where you can decide the route you want for your trek. It is a fairly large city, but there is little to enjoy. However, it is the place where you can rest for a day or two before beginning your trip to the Quilotoa loop. 

There are many good hotels in this area. Some of them that we can recommend are: 

• Hotel Makroz
• REEC Latacunga by Oro Verde Hotels
• Endamo Hotel

2. Sigchos 

Sigchos is the largest town in the loop, so it is often selected as a starting point. However, the accommodation options in this area are quite limited. The atmosphere is relaxing, making it a good spot to spend some time before heading back. 

There are 2 options for you to choose from:

• Starlight Inn
• Hosteria San Jose de Sigchos 

3. Isinlivi

Isinlivi is a great spot to rest for the night during your trip. You will find this place on Day 2 after leaving the Chugchilan area. 

There are many great hotels in this area, but the one we stayed at ourselves and will recommend the most is Llullu Llama Mountain Lodge. A sun terrace, amazing continental, vegetarian breakfast, and a bar make this place special. 

Plus, they have actual llamas walking around, which made it much more special. 

If you need help finding a room at Llullu Llama or they’re all booked out, consider the following hotels:

• Hostal Taita Cristobal
• Hostal El Inca

4. Chugchilan

Chugchilan is your final destination after a full-day hike. Hotels in this area are great, and the views make it even more special. 

If you want to experience a luxurious experience without spending much, stay at one of the 3 mentioned below:

• Hostal El Vaquero
• Hostal Mama Hilda
• Hostal Cloud Forest

5. Quilotoa Village 

Quilotoa Village has a few options for staying. There are 2 guesthouses and a lodge that travelers have highly recommended. 

These include:

• Hosteria Chukirawa
• Runa Wasi Quilotoa
• Hosteria Alpaka Quilotoa 

Trekking Itinerary – Quilotoa Loop Ecuador Day to Day

In this section, we will choose Sigchos as a starting point. That means we will hike from north to south. 

Make sure to leave your big backpack in your hostel, and only take what you need on the hike. Bring enough sunscreen, as you’re high up in the mountains, and the heat from the sun might burn your skin. 

Day 1 – Sigchos to Isinlivi

Take the bus early in the morning from Latacunga to Sigchos. The bus takes around 2 hours, so it’s best to leave before 10 a.m. 

Pro tip: Download the maps. An app on your phone to get the offline map of this area. The route is very clearly signed on the app.

Isinlivi is around 8.7 mi (14 km) away from Sigchos. You don’t need a map to reach this place. There are multiple signboards with directions, so you will always be aware of your way. The ascent on this hike is 1,447 ft (441 m), whereas the descent is around 1,631 ft (497 m). 

The way from Sigchos to Isinlivi can also be done by bus, as it’s mostly hiking along the road, with the view not as spectacular as the other days. Be aware that while the scenery in the bus is beautiful, you’ll be driving along cliffs – which isn’t for the faint of heart. 

If you want to walk that route, it would take around 3.5 hours. When you’re in the main square in Sigchos, follow the signs to Isinlivi. 

After you’ve crossed a church, Nuestra Señora del Cisne, continue on a grass path. Check your offline maps while walking, as some small paths will lead to private properties. I ended up following the wrong path into a private property, including some unhappy dogs, so regularly checking the offline map is something I can highly recommend.

Once you cross the Rio Toachi (Toachi River) on a concrete bridge, you’ll start a steep ascent toward Isinlivi. Take occasional breaks to enjoy the views until you reach a dirt road leading to Isinlivi. 

If you’d like to take the scenic route to the town, turn right just before the bus stop (a well-placed bench).

In Isinlivi, we stayed at the Llullu Llama Mountain Lodge. It had incredible views, we had dinner and breakfast with others at the hostel, and we got to walk the llamas in the garden. 

Day 2 – Isinlivi to Chugchilan (Quilotoa Loop)

Isinlivi to Chugchilan is 7.5 mi (12 km), so the hike duration will be 5 to 6 hours. The directional signs on this path can be hard when you miss a sign, so ask for a map from your Isinlivi hostel reception before leaving. 

Just follow the red and yellow signs to Chugchilán. You will experience multiple villages of Itualo and Chinalo and the river Toachi before reaching Chugchilán. 

When you reach Itualo, walk past the church and turn right toward a small wooden shack. That will take you directly to Chinalo, where you’ll pass an incredible mirador (a lookout or viewing post): Mirador Cañón del Toachi. We took a break at the mirador to sit on the benches, enjoy the view, and eat something. 

In Chinalo, you’ll find a sign that directs you to Chugchilán. You will be walking along the road at this point until you reach the village. 

In Chugchilán, we stayed at the Hostal El Vaquero. Breakfast and dinner were provided by the hostel. The views were okay, but nothing compared to the Llullu Llama Mountain Lodge.

Day 3 – Chugchilan to Quilotoa (Quilotoa Loop)

The last day is the most difficult and beautiful, with 5 to 6 hours of hiking. It’s definitely worth the effort. You can also ask your hostel for a map, as there are 2 different routes you can walk; the normal route or the “adventurous” route. 

According to the hostel owner, the adventurous route was closed due to mudslides, so we took the normal route. Make sure you confirm that the route is open when you’re visiting. When you start hiking, you’ll also see the different routes on the signs.

After hiking for a couple of hours, you’ll find yourself in Guayama San Pedro, a town located at an altitude of 10,696 ft (3,260 m). From here, you’ll follow the gravel path up. And up. And up.

Here’s where you have the first view of Quilotoa. Continue to the Quilotoa Mirador, where you’ll see the most incredible scenery. 

Quilotoa has a beautiful crater lake, a 1.24 mi (2 km) hike down to the southwestern side of the village. You can enjoy it for a while before walking back to the town of Quilotoa. There are kayaks available for rent and a few craft shops for you to explore. 

When you walk toward Quilotoa, make sure you stay on the higher path, even though maps. I mentioned that you can also take the lower paths. I’ve heard some people who have had encounters with locals, as the lower path is for their livestock.

What To Prepare for the Quilotoa Loop Trek

Here are the most important things that you need to pack on your Quilotoa Loop hike:

• Hiking clothes. Depending on the time of year you’re visiting, it can become very warm during the day.
• Hiking shoes and rain clothes 
• Sun protection
• Basic first aid kit 
• Some snacks and water bottles
• A little cash in case of emergency
• Waterproof bag to keep valuable items 
• A plastic bag for trash, as you’d want to take all your trash with you when hiking

Useful Tips for the Quilotoa Loop Ecuador Trek

Here are 5 expert tips to help you get the best out of your Quilotoa loop trek:

• Reserve your rooms at the hostel or hotel beforehand, especially if you’re visiting in the high season.
• Drink as much as possible to keep yourself hydrated during the hike.
• Calculate your hiking hours to plan your trip properly.
• Try to keep at least one person with you on the hike. While I was hiking the first day by myself, it would’ve been more comfortable to navigate unhappy dogs with more people around.
• Acclimatize to reduce the risk of getting affected by weather and altitude.

How To Stay Safe During Your Quilotoa Loop Ecuador Trek

When hiking the Quilotoa Loop in Ecuador, prioritize safety by wearing appropriate footwear and clothing for the terrain and weather conditions. Carry enough water and snacks, as well as a map or GPS device, to avoid getting lost on the trails.

Additionally, consider protecting yourself with travel insurance such as SafetyWing, which can cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen incidents during your stay.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Quilotoa Loop Ecuador

How Long Does It Take to Hike the Quilotoa Loop?

The total hike from Quilotoa to Sigchos or vice versa takes 3 days.

How Hard Is the Quilotoa Loop?

Starting from Sigchos and moving upward towards Quilotoa can be challenging, but it’s certainly doable for a beginner. 

However, the Quilotoa to Sigchos is comparatively much easier as you move north to south with minimal ascending.

How Many Miles Is the Quilotoa Loop?

The total Quilotoa Loop hike is around 23 miles (37 km) long.

Is the Quilotoa Loop Safe?

It is one of the safest areas in Ecuador. The only threat here is altitude sickness, and there may be some unhappy dogs when you take a wrong turn and end up on private property.

Conclusion – Quilotoa Loop Ecuador

Ecuador’s Quilotoa Loop may be one of my favorite Ecuador hiking trails, and I’ve done plenty. The trek through one of the country’s most scenic locations is worth it, especially experiencing the rainforest vegetation, the selfie-worthy teal crater lake, and the various indigenous villages along the way. 

Don’t forget to pack those hiking boots! 

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