2-Day Tour of Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon with hotel

2-Day Tour of Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon with hotel

Take a 2-day trip through the Avenue of the Volcanoes towards two of the most important landmarks in the Ecuadorian Sierra: Cotapaxi and Quilotoa. On day one, visit Cotopaxi Volcano and climb up to the first refugee, take an optional bike ride afterwards. Lodge in the comfy Chuquiragua lodge and get ready for your next adventure. On day two, ride towards Quilotoa Crater Lagoon for an amazing hike. Visit Tigua artisan’s town to end you adventure before returning back to Quito.      

Itinerary

Day 1: Quito to Cotopaxi Volcano

Stop At: Plaza Foch, Calle Foch y Reina Victoria esquina, Quito 170150 Ecuador
Meet at 6:45am with the guide and the group at the designated meeting point in Quito.
Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
At 7am we leave by car driving south of Quito for approx. 1.5-hour through the Pan-American highway aka. Avenue of the Volcanoes. We'll then reach the park entrance of Cotopaxi National Park and the get ready to enjoy a fresh Andean-style breakfast.

Pass By: Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
Drive through pine forest and soon reach the Interpretation Center Mariscal and get to know the volcano and its unique fauna and flora.

Stop At: Laguna de Limpiopungo, Latacunga Ecuador
Afterwards, and depending on the physical abilities of the group, drive towards Limpiopungo Lake located at 3.800 m or Rinconada camping zone, to enjoy a hike around this stunning environment to observe birds and the magnificent view of Cotopaxi Volcano
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
Get your helmets, gloves on and begin your bike adventure. Bike on dirt roads through volcanic ash and a tundra landscape for about 7 kilometers until the North gate of the Park and continue along the Paramo landscape until reaching the main entrance of the park. 10 km. approx. - ride on paved road). Cross the main gate and bike along a short pine forest single trek to reach the main road (optional).
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
A stop between activities will give us time to enjoy a well-deserved lunch to regain strength.
Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: Chuquiragua Lodge, Ecuador
Say goodbye to the volcano and get in the van again to drive back. Drop-off at Chuquiragua Lodge in Machachi.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Lodge in the comfy Chuquiragua lodge

Day 2: Machachi to Quilotoa Lagoon

Pass By: Chuquiragua Lodge, Ecuador
Pick-up form Chuquiragua Hotel. The first stop will be Latacunga City at Cotopaxi Province. From this point, head west for a 1-hour drive through the unforgettable Andean scenery towards the village of Quilotoa.

Stop At: Mercado Indigena, Saquisili Ecuador
Visit a local town and get in contact with the Andean culture (either Saquisilí or Pujilí). Get the chance to mix with the rich Andean culture of the local community that inhabits the surrounding area by visiting either Saquisil, Pujili or Zimbahua Indian markets (depends on the day).
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Laguna Quilotoa, Laguna de Quilotoa, 070701 Ecuador
The lovely town of Zimbahua comes right before we start hiking down towards the turquoise colored Quilotoa Lagoon. Trek around this natural wonder of water holding strong minerals, formed by the collapsed volcanic caldera. From the rim hike down towards the banks of the lagoon and then climb back up.
Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Tigua, Ecuador
Have lunch at a local restaurant and then stop at the small town Tigua (famous for the Tigua art - paintings made with chicken feather brushes over sheep hide canvas - a celebration of the mountain life, the festivals, the legends, and traditions of the area). In the late afternoon, head back to Quito.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.