Quilotoa Loop
The Quilotoa Loop - village-to-village Andean walking ending at the turquoise Quilotoa crater lake
The route
The line through Central Andes, Ecuador - waypoints, elevation and the day-by-day shape of the walk.
Waypoints
- 1SigchosTrailhead
Start
- 2IsinlivíJunction
Night 1
- 3ChugchilánJunction
Night 2
- 4Quilotoa craterSummit
Crater lake finish
Season & conditions
Year-round (drier Jun-Sep)
Cold, wind, afternoon rain at ~3,000-3,900 m
Walkable year-round; afternoon rain and cold at altitude; navigation can be tricky. Confirm.
On the trail
Andean farmland, canyons and villages, ending at a crater lake
Non-technical walking/hiking; confirm any exposed or scrambly sections locally
Marked/waymarked route; navigation generally straightforward - carry a map and confirm locally
Suitable for reasonably fit hikers; not wheelchair accessible - confirm specifics
A popular, well-known route - busier in peak season
Walk 2-4 days between villages; the crater rim loop as a day option
Getting there & staying
Sigchos (start) to Quilotoa, from Latacunga
Point-to-point may need transport between ends - confirm
Village hostels/hospedajes (Sigchos, Isinliví, Chugchilán)
Layered outdoor kit, sturdy footwear, sun/rain protection, ample water; patchy mobile coverage - carry a map/PLB where remote
Services in Latacunga / Quilotoa; limited or none on the trail
Not required (well-trodden) but navigation care needed; local hostels help
Permits & safety
No permit; you stay in village hostels; small Quilotoa entry fee. Confirm.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Altitude illness is the key risk at these elevations - acclimatize, ascend gradually, know the descent rule; navigation, dogs, afternoon weather
Retrace the route to exit; dial local emergency services; carry a means of calling for help where remote
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand trail report. Coordinates are approximate.