Duration: 1 Day
Departures: Every Day
Min age: 12 years

Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Tour

Description

Visit in one day two wonderful places on your trip to Ecuador. Cotopaxi Quilotoa tour sites that like the Galapagos Islands, Also have a volcanic origin. Do not skip the opportunity to discover these two beautiful places in one day. In our Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Full Day Tour departing from Quito. Where you can contemplate the beauty of the active volcano Cotopaxi. Thus, the diversity of flora and fauna of the Cotopaxi National Park. And the impressive volcanoes that make up the “Avenue of the Volcanoes”. Also the viewpoint of the Quilotoa Lagoon. Below, we present everything you will find along our tour:

Cotopaxi National Park

The elevation of the Cotopaxi National Park begins at 3.200 to 5.897 meters. It is the second highest and most active volcano in Ecuador, after the Chimborazo volcano, the Cotopaxi Volcano. It’s localized between the provinces of Pichincha and Cotopaxi. Additionally, it is a very popular choice among mountaineering and hiking lovers. As well as those who enjoy being surrounded by nature and beautiful landscapes.

Quilotoa Lake

The Quilotoa Volcano is located west of the Cotopaxi National Park, within the Ilinizas Ecological Reserve in the Cotopaxi Province, 170 km southwest of Quito. The origin of the Quilotoa lagoon is a volcanic 6 km diameter that forms a caldera 2.9 km in diameter and 640 m deep whereas an alkaline lagoon lies that measures 3.6 km in diameter and has a depth of 240 m. The most spectacular thing is to be able to observe the emerald green quilotoa lagoon and in seasons of turquoise color

Cotopaxi Quilotoa Tour

If you have limited time in Quito and youd like to do Cotopaxi tour and Quilotoa tour?. here we present to you the best option to combine the to wonderfull locations in the south of Quito city. At the end of Cotopaxi Quilotoa tour you will be exusted, but you will be happy to had made it.

Yes, it is true visiting the cotopaxi national park requires a full day visit, and anjoying with time of the lanscape and walking to the base camp or to the glacial hopefully of the volcano. Thus, spending full time in the Quilotoa for the kayacs in the lake lagoon or making the Quilotoa loop or camping in the area will be the best in a program of 3 or more days.

Included
  • Confortable Transportation
  • Tour Guide
  • Cotopaxi National Park fee
  • Quilotoa Lagoon fee
  • Lunch
Not Included
  • Personal Expenses
  • Tips

Itinerary

  • Cotopaxi National Park

    cotopaxi-national-park-tour60 km south from the city of Quito and 35 km northeast of Latacunga. Cotopaxi National Park is located in the province of Cotopaxi. In the Cotopaxi National Park is the Cotopaxi volcano. And its formation is due to volcanic strata formed over thousands of years. Dating back to the Pleistocene epoch. Cotopaxi is a young volcano and the most popular of all volcanoes in Ecuador. And it has a climate that ranges from 4 °C (39.2°F) to 15 °C (59°F).

  • Flora and Fauna of the Cotopaxi National Park

    cotopaxi-and-quilotoa-tour-hiking

    Among the Andean flora and fauna that predominates in Cotopaxi National Park. There is the chuquiragua, “the flower of the Andean climber”. So called because it is at 4000 m above sea level. Also, there are grasslands, puma maqui, romerillo, quishuar, grasses, mosses and lichens. Also along the route you can find other animals. For example: cows, wild horses, hummingbirds, quilicos and curiquingues. If you are lucky you will have the opportunity to cross paths with foxes and deer. Also with marsupial mice, Andean foxes and moor wolves. Even a colossal Andean condor found in Cotopaxi National Park.

  • Active Cotopaxi volcano

    cotopaxi-and-quilotoa-tour-active-volcanoCotopaxi is in the area called “Avenue of the Volcanoes”. Its name come from the German Alexander Von Humboldt in 1802. The volcano stands out among all the landscape of the National Park. So, it has glaciers and perpetual snow starting at 5000 meters (16404.2 ft.). Also, to the north you can observe a huge black rock wall, called Yana – Sacha. Besides, the hike takes 30 minutes from the Rivas refuge you can reach the snow-capped peak.

  • Andes mountains on the way to Quilotoa Lagoon

    cotopaxi-and-quilotoa-tour-andes-mountainsThe paramo andino on the way to Quilotoa lake

  • Quilotoa Lagoon

    cotopaxi-and-quilotoa-tourThe Quilotoa Lagoon is two and a half hours from Cotopaxi National Park. Located in the province of Cotopaxi. Within the Ecological Reserve Los Ilinizas, is the Quilotoa Lagoon. It is an inactive volcano of 6 km in diameter, formed by a caldera of 2.9 km in diameter and 640 m (2,099 ft) deep. Here, rests an alkaline lagoon measuring 3.6 km in diameter and 240 m (787.4 ft) deep. The color of the Quilotoa lagoon is emerald green, resembling a mirror.

  • Trekking to the bottom of Quilotoa crater lake

    Upon arrival we will head towards the edge of the Quilotoa crater lake, from this point we will have an excellent point to take pictures of some of Quilotoa Lagoon. Also, from where we will have time to be able to go down to the bottom of the Quilota lagoon, upon arrival there is the option of kayaking in the Quilotoa lake, then the return trek to the edge.

  • Cotopaxi Quilotoa Tour rates

    $199 price per person booking for two or more visitors

    $239 price per 1 visitor

It is advisable to arrive before 13:00 pm. Since, the fog begins to descend and you will not be able to appreciate its beauty. The Quilotoa community is in charge of managing this attraction. Too, they offer different services such as horseback riding to the lagoon. Also, boat and kayak rentals. And you can enjoy various recreational activities in Quilotoa.

FAQs about Cotopaxi Quilotoa Tour

How long time take the Cotopaxi Quilotoa tour?

- This is a full day from Quito and could take 10 to 12 hours around.

Which days are available for the Cotopaxi Quilotoa tour?

- The departure is every day from Quito

Is including the pick-up from my hotel to the Cotopaxi Quilotoa Tour?

- Yes, including pick-up and drop-off.

Which activities can I do on Cotopaxi Quilotoa Tour?

- Visiting the Limpiopungo area which is the best place to take the pictures of Cotopaxi volcano
- Short walking in the Limpiopungo lake in the Cotopaxi National Park

in Quilotoa Lake

- Walking in the rim in of Quilotoa crater lake
- Trekking to the bottom of the lake (optional)
- Kayaks in the lake of Quilotoa (optional)

From

$199

/ person

*Restrictions applied, prices are subject to change.

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Testimonials

Your opinion is very important for us.

  • star rating  Amazing Volcanos - We had many tours with Pedro as he was our personal guide for 3 weeks, He was prompt every morning picking us up in Old Town Quito and taking us... read more

    gkerrconsulting
    December 6, 2022

    star rating  Disappointed and poor value. Nice guide - Our guide was very nice and on time but the sites were okay and the addition of tickets was annoying. It would feel better to have it all bundled... read more

    Anjali T
    December 10, 2022

    star rating  Pedro was delightful, was very knowledgeable and took us all the way to the glacier. Jimmy the driver also did a great job getting us safely through challenging terrain. Great... read more

    avatar thumb KCampbellW
    December 31, 2022
  • star rating  BEST guide and tour agent which is Local and Woman owned Ecuadorian travel company - I did an individual self tailored tour with Real Dreams tour. I found them along with few others on my google search, but from the very beginning they stood... read more

    419uma
    April 14, 2022

    star rating  We had a fun day with David (we left Quito at 08:10 and arrived back around 20:30, so bear timings in mind!), first going to Cayambe town right on the... read more

    avatar thumb Andrew B
    January 29, 2023

    star rating  Our tour with Pedro was amazing, and he was a delight! He was extremely knowledgeable, kind and fun. The perk of this tour was that it was private, so we... read more

    avatar thumb V5629QLkathleenb
    November 28, 2022
  • star rating  Cotopaxi adventure - anytime again! - We had a wonderful experience with Pedro on our private tour. From the punctual pickup through the safe navigation to the National Parc until reaching the Glacier up on 5000m,... read more

    Sabine G
    March 25, 2022

    star rating  What a fantastic day! Our guide Pedro was lovely and had so much knowledge about the region, flora and fauna. I was able to get some great photos at both... read more

    avatar thumb KimA2939
    January 16, 2023

    star rating  I happened to be with Luis, the guide, and Jimmy, the driver. I felt like I was hanging out with friends as they made me feel safe, comfortable and free... read more

    avatar thumb stefaniamrt
    December 27, 2022
  • star rating  An unforgettable trip! - I booked this break as part of a longer set of Ecuadorian adventures, and would thoroughly recommend it! It was a wonderful experience, starting from Quito and taking in a... read more

    piers776
    July 2, 2022

    star rating  What a fun and memorable day in Papallacta. It all started on the positive side with Pedro. Punctual, he was in time to pick me up from the place I... read more

    avatar thumb The Cageless I
    December 3, 2022

    star rating  Very cool day ! - Carlos was an awesome tour guide, very explicative and very caring! Always in a good mood ! We saw a lot of colobris, and colourful birds, squirrels, agoutis, butterflies... and... read more

    avatar thumb Mathilde69008
    January 22, 2023
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