Quilotoa Loop Trail

A compact 3-day circuit that packs crater views, remote villages and highland scenery into about 35 km.

Time to Hike: 3 days, roughly 35 km total; typical daily stages of 8 to 15 km depending on route choices and trail conditions.

Best Time to Go: Dry season June to September offers the most stable weather and clearer crater views in Ecuador.

Getting there: From Quito take regular buses to Latacunga then local minibuses or shared taxis to trail villages such as Zumbahua or Chugchilán. Trailheads are reachable in a few hours from the capital.

Costs: Low-budget trek: cheap buses and basic hostels in villages; no national-park permits required but you may pay a small local entrance fee at the Quilotoa viewpoint. Expect modest daily costs for food and lodgings.

Difficulty: Moderate due mainly to high Andean altitude (often 3,000-4,000 m), steep ascents and descents, loose volcanic scree and exposed ridgelines; watch for altitude sickness and rapidly changing weather.

Quilotoa Loop runs through the central Andean highlands of Ecuador, across open páramo, cultivated terraces and small Quechua-speaking farming villages. The route circles a striking green crater lake and links communities where home-stays and simple hostels provide overnighting; trail surfaces include animal tracks, singletrack and sections of volcanic ash.

Highlights are the crater rim viewpoints at sunrise, intimate village markets, woven textiles and daily rural life. There are no mountain huts in the alpine sense - accommodation is in village hostels or camping if you prefer, and the loop’s short length makes logistics simple while still feeling remote.

The nearest international gateway is Quito - most hikers travel there first. From Quito take a bus to Latacunga, then change to a local minibus or shared taxi heading to trail villages such as Zumbahua or Chugchilán; travel time from Quito to Latacunga is around 1.5 to 2 hours by road.

Hikers approach the loop from several directions; many start in Chugchilán or nearby villages and walk toward the Quilotoa viewpoint to finish, where onward transport back to Latacunga or Quito is readily available.

The most walkable months are the dry season, generally June to September, when trails are firmer and crater visibility is highest. Outside this window expect frequent afternoon or multi-day rains that turn tracks muddy and reduce visibility.

There are no formal permits for the loop, but book popular village hostels in advance during peak months. Expect cold nights, strong sun at altitude and the usual highland hazards - brief storms, wind and the possibility of altitude sickness near the crater rim.