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Ecuador🇪🇨 | hikesQuilotoa LoopVillage-to-village, Sigüi canyon, Hostel dinners, 3,900 m crater | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Quilotoa Loop
🏆 Top pickhike ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Quilotoa Loop is not one marked trail, and no ATM covers the route, so you carry every dollar you will need. It runs through the Cotopaxi highlands in the Andes of Ecuador, linking farm villages to a crater lake. The scenery is huge: plunging canyons, patchwork fields, then a turquoise lake in a collapsed volcano. The walking is moderate but steep, and altitude near 3,900 meters flattens careless starters. Buses from Latacunga reach the villages, though they thin out in the afternoon, so check the last one or you pay for a pickup truck. Waymarks vanish at junctions, so download an offline map and start early. I still connect this place with the sweet eucalyptus woodsmoke curling from a hostel stove in Chugchilán at dusk. Book dinner with your bed, because villages have few other options. Your first day could mean a morning bus, a canyon-edge walk to your first village, and soup by the fire.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Ecuador Travel Guide.
Best time to go: May - September
Duration: 3 days
Distance: 37 kilometers
Total ascent: 1500 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 hike in EcuadorReasons people choose to hike the here

Quilotoa Loop gives you the Andes without a guide or a permit. Each stage ends in a village hostel with a bed, dinner and breakfast, so you can walk with a daypack and skip the tent. The big draw is the Quilotoa crater lake, a green-blue caldera you meet at the end of a long climb out of canyon country. Between villages the trail crosses deep gorges cut by the Toachi and Sigüi rivers, where you can pass farmers herding sheep across slopes of potatoes and barley.
The route also bends to your schedule. You can walk the Isinliví to Chugchilán stage alone, or cut it down to a single stretch between two villages if your knees complain. The buses keep it flexible, since you can ride past a muddy section and rejoin the trail further on. It fits neatly into a longer Ecuador route between Latacunga … read more 👉
Quilotoa Loop gives you the Andes without a guide or a permit. Each stage ends in a village hostel with a bed, dinner and breakfast, so you can walk with a daypack and skip the tent. The big draw is the Quilotoa crater lake, a green-blue caldera you meet at the end of a long climb out of canyon country. Between villages the trail crosses deep gorges cut by the Toachi and Sigüi rivers, where you can pass farmers herding sheep across slopes of potatoes and barley.
The route also bends to your schedule. You can walk the Isinliví to Chugchilán stage alone, or cut it down to a single stretch between two villages if your knees complain. The buses keep it flexible, since you can ride past a muddy section and rejoin the trail further on. It fits neatly into a longer Ecuador route between Latacunga and the Pacific side or the Amazon, so you can give it three days and keep moving. Costs stay low because lodging bundles meals, which suits anyone watching a budget.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Quilotoa Crater Lake: The reason most people come. The caldera is about 3 kilometers wide, and the water shifts between emerald and deep blue depending on the sun and the minerals. From the rim, a steep path drops to the shore in about 30 to 45 minutes, and the climb back takes roughly twice that. Kayaks and mules are available at the bottom.
  2. Quilotoa Crater Rim Trail: The loop around the caldera rim takes about 4 to 5 hours and stays high, around 3,900 meters. You get changing angles on the lake, plus views of the Cotopaxi highlands on a clear day. Sections are narrow with drop-offs, so go slowly in wind.
  3. Río Sigüi Canyon: The long walk from Chugchilán toward Quilotoa drops into this gorge, crosses the river on a footbridge, and then climbs steeply through farmland to the rim. It is the most
… read more 👉
  1. Quilotoa Crater Lake: The reason most people come. The caldera is about 3 kilometers wide, and the water shifts between emerald and deep blue depending on the sun and the minerals. From the rim, a steep path drops to the shore in about 30 to 45 minutes, and the climb back takes roughly twice that. Kayaks and mules are available at the bottom.
  2. Quilotoa Crater Rim Trail: The loop around the caldera rim takes about 4 to 5 hours and stays high, around 3,900 meters. You get changing angles on the lake, plus views of the Cotopaxi highlands on a clear day. Sections are narrow with drop-offs, so go slowly in wind.
  3. Río Sigüi Canyon: The long walk from Chugchilán toward Quilotoa drops into this gorge, crosses the river on a footbridge, and then climbs steeply through farmland to the rim. It is the most dramatic day of the loop, with sheer walls and a final push uphill. The path is easy to lose near fields, so keep your map open.
  4. Isinliví: A small farming village with a calm pace and wide views over the Toachi canyon. It is the usual first overnight, and many hikers stay at Llullu Llama hostel.
  5. Chugchilán: The central stop on the loop, set among steep green slopes. Hostels such as Black Sheep Inn are known for hearty dinners and wood fires. It is also the base for the Sigüi canyon walk and short rambles to nearby farms.
If time is short, skip Isinliví and start at Chugchilán, so you still get the canyon and the crater lake.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Quilotoa Loop

Active Ecuador tour 8 days

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Cotopaxi + Quilotoa: Andes Tour 2 days 1 night

Cotopaxi + Quilotoa: Andes Tour 2 days 1 night

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Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Volcano Tour - Lunch & Tickets included

Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Volcano Tour - Lunch & Tickets included

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4 Days Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños and Amazon with hotel and activities included

4 Days Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños and Amazon with hotel and activities included

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Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour with Lunch

Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour with Lunch

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Tour Quito to Baños visiting Cotopaxi Volcano & Quilotoa Lagoon

Tour Quito to Baños visiting Cotopaxi Volcano & Quilotoa Lagoon

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Private 3-Day Andes Tour: Cotopaxi, Quilotoa & Baños from Quito

Private 3-Day Andes Tour: Cotopaxi, Quilotoa & Baños from Quito

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The Best of Ecuador & Galapagos 12 Days / 11 Nights

The Best of Ecuador & Galapagos 12 Days / 11 Nights

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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to hike the Quilotoa Loop

  • Dry Season (June to September): June to September is the most reliable window, with mornings of crisp sun and little rain. Highs reach 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F) in the villages, and nights at Quilotoa’s rim drop to 2 to 5°C (36 to 41°F). Crowds peak in July and August, so hostel beds in Chugchilán and Isinliví fill on weekends.
  • Short Dry Spell (December to January): A second, less dependable dry patch brings similar temperatures. Ecuadorian holiday travel lifts prices a little around Christmas and New Year.
  • Wet Months (February to May, October to November): Afternoon downpours turn clay trails slick, and the crater is often swallowed by cloud by midday. Expect 8 to 16°C (46 to 61°F). Paths are quiet and lodging is easy to book, sometimes at a small discount.
  • Daylight: Daylight stays close to 12
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (June to September): June to September is the most reliable window, with mornings of crisp sun and little rain. Highs reach 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F) in the villages, and nights at Quilotoa’s rim drop to 2 to 5°C (36 to 41°F). Crowds peak in July and August, so hostel beds in Chugchilán and Isinliví fill on weekends.
  • Short Dry Spell (December to January): A second, less dependable dry patch brings similar temperatures. Ecuadorian holiday travel lifts prices a little around Christmas and New Year.
  • Wet Months (February to May, October to November): Afternoon downpours turn clay trails slick, and the crater is often swallowed by cloud by midday. Expect 8 to 16°C (46 to 61°F). Paths are quiet and lodging is easy to book, sometimes at a small discount.
  • Daylight: Daylight stays close to 12 hours all year, with dusk arriving fast around 6 pm, so start walking by 8 am.
Start each day early, since cloud typically builds after 11 am even in the dry months.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Ecuador


Best quality hotels in Ecuador

🥾 Hike detailsA practical overview of the hike

Quilotoa Loop trail overview: A hiking circuit in the Cotopaxi highlands, usually walked as three stages between villages.
Total Distance: Roughly 35 to 40 kilometers on foot from Sigchos or Isinliví to Quilotoa, depending on your route and detours.
Estimated Duration: Three days at a steady pace, with two nights in village hostels. Fit hikers can compress it to two days.
Difficulty: Moderate to demanding. Altitude between about 2,800 and 3,900 meters, steep climbs out of canyons and unmarked junctions make it harder than the distances suggest.
Starting Point: Most hikers begin from Latacunga, taking
… read more 👉
Quilotoa Loop trail overview: A hiking circuit in the Cotopaxi highlands, usually walked as three stages between villages.
Total Distance: Roughly 35 to 40 kilometers on foot from Sigchos or Isinliví to Quilotoa, depending on your route and detours.
Estimated Duration: Three days at a steady pace, with two nights in village hostels. Fit hikers can compress it to two days.
Difficulty: Moderate to demanding. Altitude between about 2,800 and 3,900 meters, steep climbs out of canyons and unmarked junctions make it harder than the distances suggest.
Starting Point: Most hikers begin from Latacunga, taking local buses toward Sigchos and then Isinliví. Others start at Quilotoa village and walk the loop in reverse, reaching it by bus via Zumbahua. Afternoon departures are limited, so go in the morning.
Major Landmarks:
  • Sigchos: A market town and the traditional start of the walk.
  • Isinliví: A quiet village above the Toachi canyon.
  • Chugchilán: The middle overnight and the trailhead for the Sigüi gorge.
  • Río Sigüi canyon: A deep gorge crossed by a footbridge before the final climb.
  • Quilotoa crater rim: The finish, with views across the lake.
Terrain and Scenery: Dirt tracks, farm paths and steep canyon trails. You pass fields of potatoes, barley and beans, then reach the rim with a crater lake at its base.
Vegetation: Eucalyptus stands, scrubby páramo grasses, agave, and cultivated plots on the slopes. Cloud forest patches show up lower in the canyons.
Wildlife: Mostly livestock such as sheep, llamas and cattle. Andean birds, including hummingbirds and hawks, are the common wild sightings, and the odd Andean fox is possible near the rim.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Quilotoa Loop

Quilotoa Loop is a well-trodden route through farming villages, and most problems come from altitude, weather and mud rather than danger. The trail runs at 3,000 to 3,900 meters (9,800 to 12,800 feet), so arrive acclimatized from Quito or Latacunga, drink plenty of water and walk slowly on the climb out of the crater. Mornings are often clear, but cold rain and wind can arrive by afternoon, so carry a waterproof shell, warm layers and a hat. Canyon sections between Sigchos, Chugchilán and Isinliví have steep descents, loose clay and a few stream crossings. Waymarks are patchy, so download an offline map (Maps.me or Wikiloc) and ask farmers when a junction looks unclear. Dogs guard many farms and usually bark more than they bite; stop, stay calm and keep walking. Start early so you reach your … read more 👉
Quilotoa Loop is a well-trodden route through farming villages, and most problems come from altitude, weather and mud rather than danger. The trail runs at 3,000 to 3,900 meters (9,800 to 12,800 feet), so arrive acclimatized from Quito or Latacunga, drink plenty of water and walk slowly on the climb out of the crater. Mornings are often clear, but cold rain and wind can arrive by afternoon, so carry a waterproof shell, warm layers and a hat. Canyon sections between Sigchos, Chugchilán and Isinliví have steep descents, loose clay and a few stream crossings. Waymarks are patchy, so download an offline map (Maps.me or Wikiloc) and ask farmers when a junction looks unclear. Dogs guard many farms and usually bark more than they bite; stop, stay calm and keep walking. Start early so you reach your lodge before dark, and carry some cash, since there are no ATMs along the way.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Most hikers take 2 to 3 days to walk the full loop, though the classic route is Sigchos to Isinliví to Chugchilán to Quilotoa. Stages run roughly 4 to 7 hours each, covering 10 to 14 km per day. Many people shorten it by walking only Isinliví to Chugchilán, or Chugchilán to Quilotoa, which takes about 5 to 6 hours and is the most popular single day.
Expect moderate difficulty, mostly because of altitude and elevation change rather than technical terrain. You walk between about 2,800 and 3,900 meters (9,200 to 12,800 feet), with steep canyon descents and sustained climbs of 400 to 700 meters. Daily distances of 10 to 14 km suit anyone with basic fitness, and muddy sections slow the pace in the wet months.
Neither is required, and you can walk the Quilotoa Loop independently with an offline map. Entry to the crater rim viewpoint costs about US$2 per person, collected at Quilotoa village. Guides are optional and run roughly US$25 to 50 a day through lodges in Chugchilán or Isinliví, a worthwhile option in cloud or heavy rain when waymarks are harder to follow.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ecuadorian hikes near Quilotoa Loop

Explore more nearby:

  • El Altar—Emerald Laguna Amarilla, Collanes wild horses, Collapsed caldera, Muddy two-day trek| 110 km away
  • Laguna de Cuicocha—14 km rim loop, Twin lake islands, Cotacachi views, Steaming fumaroles| 126 km away
  • Inca Trail to Ingapirca—Achupallas to Ingapirca, Cobbled Inca road, Sacred Culebrillas lake, Wild camping| 176 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on hiking the Quilotoa Loop

Quilotoa Loop deserves three days and two nights, which lets you sleep in two villages and arrive at the rim with fresh legs. One day is rushed, and the altitude punishes anyone who sprints. I would start at Isinliví, pack cash and a warm layer, and spend the extra morning walking slowly around the crater rim.

✈️ When did I visit Ecuador?
Ecuador I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Ecuador, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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