Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour: Trekking, Market, Art and Llamas
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour: Trekking, Market, Art and Llamas worth booking?
Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour: Trekking, Market, Art and Llamas is a 10-hour experience in Quito, Ecuador, from $100 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $100 per person
A tour to the Quilotoa Crater Lake is a must if you are visiting Ecuador. It´s a perfect day, where you can explore the beautiful Andes region. On the way to Quilotoa you will be able to take in the sights of the Avenue
What you get
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- Certified Bilingual Guide
- Snacks
About this experience
A tour to the Quilotoa Crater Lake is a must if you are visiting Ecuador. It´s a perfect day, where you can explore the beautiful Andes region. On the way to Quilotoa you will be able to take in the sights of the Avenue of Volcanoes including the Cotopaxi. Before going up to Quilotoa we will first stop and visit a traditional indigenous market, then we will make a stop at the town of Tigua renowned for its unique art style and handcrafted wooden masks of endemic wildlife and local legends, you will also have a chance to take a picture with a llama and traditional Andean homes at the Toachi Canyon. Once you arrive at Quilotoa you will have time to take in the amazing sights, trek down to the lake bottom, kayak on the lake and come back up riding a mule or horse. We will have lunch in town and head back to Quito before the fog comes down. Truly a fun packed day with tons of culture, art, landscapes and outdoor activities.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- Certified Bilingual Guide
- Snacks
Not included
- Entrance fees to attractions
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
What you'll see and do
Galeria del Primer Pintor de Tigua - "Julio Toaquiza Tigasi"
On the way up to Quilotoa you will make a stop in the Andean town of Tigua. This town is renowned for its local artists. We will make a quick stop at some art galleries which showcase this unique local art style.
30 minutes here
Tigua
The town of Tigua is also famous for its hand crafted wooden masks. I love making a quick stop at a workshop where you can see how these masks are made and you have a choice of multicolored masks representing local animals and legends. Among these you´ll find, an andean fox, amazon monkey, wolf, rooster, Diablo Huma, and many more. Its a great stop for souvenirs.
20 minutes here
Laguna Quilotoa
Once we make it to the town of Quilotoa, you will have time to walk around the touristy town a the top of the crater, take in the sights of the crater lake from the various lookout spots and trek down to the lake bottom where you can rent kayaks. If you are too tired you can take a mule or horse back to the top. Quilotoa Crater Lake is a breathtaking experience. Highly recommended!
180 minutes here
Pujili
Pujili is a small Andean town on the way to Quilotoa. They have a great market here open on Wednesdays and Sundays. If your trip falls on either day we will make a stop here so you can experience a bit of Andean culture and see how a market works and operates in this corner of the World.
30 minutes here
Zumbahua
Zumbahua is a small Andean town on the way to Quilotoa. They have a great market here open on Saturdays. If your trip falls on a Saturday, we will make a stop here so you can experience a bit of Andean culture and see how a market works and operates in this corner of the World. The Zumbahua market is a very traditional indigenous market.
30 minutes here
Mercado Indigena
Saquisili is a small Andean town on the way to Quilotoa. They have a great market here open on Thursdays. If your trip falls on a Thursday we will make a stop here so you can experience a bit of Andean culture and see how a market works and operates in this corner of the World. Also a very traditional indigenous Andean market.
30 minutes here
Canon del Rio Toachi
The Toachi Canyon is called the Ecuadorian Grand Canyon. On the way up to Quilotoa we can make a short stop at a lookout point where you will be able to take in the beautiful sights of the Toachi Canyon. You can also take a picture with a llama and visit an Andean hut where you can see how the Andean indigenous live.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Galapagos Connoisseur
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour: Trekking, Market, Art and Llamas. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Nice interesting day to Quilotoa Crater Lake
Quilotoa Crater Lake was very impressive. Walked about a third of the way down and had a picnic lunch. The hike all the way down and back up is a bit difficult, so not recommended for all. The other stops that personable guide Diego provided were also good and interesting.
Response from the operator: Hi Larry, thanks for your five star review! So happy you had a great time in Quilotoa. Diego is a great guy. Cheers!
via Viator
Must do day trip from Quito
Diego is a fantastic guide. It was a well paced, well planned itinerary. Thanks to Diego we learned a lot and had an amazing, unique day. Also, he was early to pick us up, his car was clean and he is a great driver. Scenery and activities were spectacular.
Response from the operator: Hi Susan, Im so happy you had a great trip to Quilotoa with Diego. He is a fantastic guide. It was great he took you to those unique spots on the way to Quilotoa. I got the pics from Diego I will send them over ASAP. Have a great time in Ecuador. Cheers!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $100 to $135
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Galapagos Connoisseur, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 64.5.
See everything Galapagos Connoisseur runsWhy this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour: Trekking, Market, Art and Llamas: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Quito.
How much does Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour: Trekking, Market, Art and Llamas cost?
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Prices start at $100 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Quito usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour: Trekking, Market, Art and Llamas take?
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Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Quito is not rushed.
Is Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour: Trekking, Market, Art and Llamas worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Quito, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour: Trekking, Market, Art and Llamas?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour: Trekking, Market, Art and Llamas suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour: Trekking, Market, Art and Llamas?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Quito can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Quito and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour: Trekking, Market, Art and Llamas start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Quito within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Quito?
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On Outty we rank every Quito experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cotopaxi tour from Quito -horseback ride and hike-NO TOURISTY way, Baños Full Day Tour from Quito Including Entrances and Activities, Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Quito?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Quito?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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