Isinliví-Quilotoa Trek

Trek Overview:
If you love trekking through peaceful, pristine nature, then you won’t want to miss the Quilotoa Loop in the Central Highlands of Ecuador. It is arguably one of the best multi-day trekking routes in South America and one of Ecuador’s most popular treks. Without any doubts this is a five star trek.

The Isinliví- Quilotoa route links the beauty of the sierra landscapes, the opportunity to have a glimpse into the traditional life of rural communities located at the very heart of the Sierra and the comfort of having cosy hotels waiting for you after demanding trekking days. The main part of the trek ends at the town of Quilotoa, a small indigenous and mestizo village situated on the rim of the still active Quilotoa Volcano. 

On the last day of the trek we propose to go round the 10 km of the crater and enjoy the amazing view of the glittering emerald colour water of the lake at the bottom of the volcano. If you like hiking light and enjoying the comfort of hotels afterwards, this trek is definitely for you. 

Altitude Note: The trek starts at 2.900 m and gradually ascent to nearly 4.000 m.
Duration: 4 days- 3 nights 
Walking distance: 35 km
Rating: Moderately Difficult
Observations: No camping equipment needed

Inclusions: 

• Hotel 
• Meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch or box lunch and dinner)
• Private transportation 
• Bilingual mountain guide

Excluded:

• Tips 
• Meals not described in the itinerary

Itinerary:

Day 1: QUITO – ISINLIVI – CHUGCHILAN (BL/D)

At 6:30am. we will leave Quito and head north on a three-hour ride to the small and rarely visited “mestizo” village of Isinliví. 

After breakfast we start our six to seven-hour hike to the increasingly popular town of Chugchillán. The first section of the trek will lead us through farms, valleys and hills to the Rio Toachi. Along the way we will enjoy spectacular views of this river from the height of the hills. 

A hanging bridge over Rio Toachi marks the end of the first section of the trek. From here onwards, we will start a gradual ascent to Chugchillán, our destination for the night. On our way we will go past the small but picturesque village of Itualo. A nice and warm meal will be waiting for us at our hotel. 

Hostal Mama Hilda is a family run hotel in the small town of Chugchilan on the Quilotoa Loop. it is ideally situated half way around the loop and has been welcoming guests for many years. If you're looking for somewhere to relax and take in the breath taking views offered by the Ecuadorian Andes, this is the place to be. 

A mini-bar, a safe and a fireplace are available in all the rooms. Bathrooms are fitted with a bath, terry dressing gowns and toiletries.  This property also offers an American breakfast

Day 2: CHUGCHILAN – QUILOTOA 

This is the more physically demanding day of our trek. We will ascent slightly more than 1.1 vertical kilometres from the lowest to the highest point of the trek. 

We start at Chugchillán situated at 3.160 msnm, then we will descent about 250 meters to Quebrada Margarita just to go up again to the rim of the Quilotoa Volcano at nearly 4.000 msnm. Half- way through the day we will stop at the small town of Guayama. On our way we will cross indigenous and mestizo farms, climb a beautiful canyon wall and enjoy the magnificent view of the Quilotoa caldera and its lake at the bottom. We will arrive at our hotel by the late afternoon. 

Offering an à la carte restaurant and a bar, Hostal Princesa Toa is located in Quilotoa. The hotel provides bike hires for scenic cycling to nearby landmarks and tour destinations and is 250 m from Quilotoa Lagoon. It is part of the Center for Community Tourism Green Lake Quilotoa, a venture that benefits the local community.

Each room comes complete with a microwave, kitchenware, coffee machine, and dining area. Free toiletries are provided in the ensuite bathroom. Guests can enjoy city views from the patio or terrace. An outdoor seating area is also available.

Traditional rustic details can be seen in the architecture and décor throughout the entire property. Hostal PrincesaToa also features a 24-hour reception and a snack bar. Hiking excursions are also available in the surrounding area.

Day 3: QUILOTOA LOOP - QUITO 

The trek of this day is usually known as the Quilotoa loop. This beautiful trek is an experience in itself and thus is usually proposed as an independent one-day hike. We will walk along the rim of the crater. The hike involves three to four hours of continues ascents and descents on the rocky and lava peaks of the volcano at 4.000 meters of altitude. 

On a clear day, we will enjoy a fantastic view of the cordillera and of some of the most beautiful mountains of Ecuador such as the Ilinizas and the Cotopaxi Volcano. If by the end of the hike we still feel energized we may descent to the Quilotoa Lagoon to take a bath in its glittering waters. After a late lunch we will get back to Quito where we should arrive by 7 pm. 

Marquiz Hotel Boutique is set in Quito, 1.1 km from El Ejido Park. 1.9 km from El Ejido Park Art Fair, the hotel offers a garden and a terrace. Free WiFi is available and La Carolina Park is 2.9 km away.

At the hotel, each room is equipped with a desk and a flat-screen TV. Rooms are fitted with a private bathroom. 

A bicycle rental service is offered by Marquiz Hotel Boutique. The accommodation can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area.