| Ecuador HIGHLIGHTS |  |
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| In Quilotoa: | | |
 General info | Accommodation | Transport | Hiking from Quilotoa to Chugchilán | The Quilotoa Circuit | Biking around Quilotoa | Book a Tour |
| | |  General info | | Approximately 14 km to the north of Zumbahua lies the village and infamous volcanic crater of Quilotoa with a serene mysterious looking green lake inside. The volcano's bowels 400 m down head towards a deep ascending cut in the rim of the volcano right of the car park, 30 minutes descent and one hour ascent or rent a mule for just US $3.00.
The water itself is stagnant due to no in or outflows and consists of an alkaline consistency as well as sulfurous and is certainly not for drinking so do take your own drinking water. If you wish to walk around the total circumference of the rim allow 4-5 hours but be careful in some areas as the conditions can be slippery and dangerous.
There are also a few vendors selling facial wooden masks and native pictures called Tigua landscape pictures carved from wood which are infamous in Europe and USA through exhibition centers displaying this unique style of painting, look out for the Toaquiza family at Km 52 on the route to Zumbahua. |  | | Accommodation | | Important Notice: If you wish to book in advance any of the below listed lodgings, visit our online Hotel reservation form. A BOE specialized agent will be able to process your inquiry immediately for the best and most affordable accommodation rates!.
Hostal Quilotoa.- They have bike and mule rental and also offer excursions around the lake.
Refugio Quilotoa.- A small building but with no beds so, bring your
sleeping bag. The owner organizes one-day treks around the lake and rent mules.
Cabañas Quilotoa.- Nice cabins with accommodation for up to 25 people. The place has beds, electric shower, fireplace, blankets, etc. The owner cooks vegetarian food if requested and will provide mules to explore the area. | | | Transport | | | There is a frequent bus service with Trans Vivero in Zumbahua and Quilapungo. From Quilapungo it is one hour walk to
the crater. Also buses for Chugchilán or Sigchos will drop you 6 minutes from the lake. | | | Hiking from Quilotoa to Chugchilán | | | A great hike taking around 5 hours with rests is from the Quilotoa rim and down to Chugchilán although water is necessary unless you take a purifier for small streams on route. You can also for around US$15.00 hire a mule and a guide to take you to Chugchilán also, the walk begins from around 50 minutes from the crater's rim but you must not turn off too soon as many
have done but wait till you find approximately 25% of the way round a third low sandy spot which we recommend you try to identify before embarking so you have a land mark of where you're heading. The spot itself is just west of north and from here you'll see Huayama village and Chugchilán further in the distance, head past various eucalyptus trees to begin your journey. Upon reaching Huayama you'll pass a cemetery as well as several soft drink vendors so take advantage. From the cemetery take the third turning which leads you then 2 hours on to Chugchilán, on your way to the canyon look out for 2 footbridges and into a thin switchback trail, then you'll hit a cement constructed
bridge and continue uphill to Chugchilán for another hour. | | | The Quilotoa Circuit | | In this sector of the country the tourism is beginning to thrive well and there are plenty of activities such as horse riding, trekking, sight seeing as well as local native markets, canyons and cloud forests belonging to the Reserva Ecológica Los Ilinizas via the paramo ascent.
The most frequently traveled circuit arc, back to Latacunga is a journey that starts from the aforementioned town and leads onto Pujilí,
Zumbahua, Quilotoa crater, Chugchilán, Sigchos, Isinliví, Toacazo, Saquisilí before going back to Latacunga. The 200 km circle is traversed by a 2-3 day bus journey as well as a favorite with many tourists through combinations of trekking, biking and various hikes on route passable with 4 wheel drives. | | | Biking around Quilotoa | | For bikers the route is easy going in most places with entry points
from Latacunga or Lasso. In the middle of Sigchos and Toacazo look out for cobbled stones and dismount when appropriate and walk this stretch or drive slowly.
The main villages on route are Guingopana, Guangaje, Guantualo, Isinlivi, Sigchos, Chugchilán and onto Quilotoa taking a good 4 days in gorgeous scenery and complete peaceful serenity.
Another popular route starts from Zumbahua in a southerly direction towards Apagua and up to Angamarca before descending down 3 km to Shuyo village which has accommodation in a small shop but arrive early!
After resting you can journey down to El Corazón (Hotel Cotopaxi) and onto Moraspungo which has much more accommodation including pensions or onto Quevedo. You can also continue on to
Radio Loma and into Salinas passing through mountain ranges, the latter is famous for its cheese production. | | | Book a Tour | | | The Best of Ecuador.com (BOE) has lately teamed up with the most recognized, respected Travel Agencies and Tour operators in the country. By filling in our online Travel Agencies and Tour operators network reservation form, visitors may ask for a quote and book in advance as well for professional
guided tours to Quilotoa and surrounding areas. | | | In Quilotoa: |
| General info | Accommodation | Transport | Hiking from Quilotoa to Chugchilán | The Quilotoa Circuit | Biking around Quilotoa | Book a Tour | | More about Ecuador Highlands: | | Carchi | Imbabura | Pichincha | Cotopaxi | Tungurahua
| Bolivar | Chimborazo | Cañar | Azuay | Loja |
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