This trek is mostly uphill and can be quite challenging if you are not fit or familiar with multi day hikes. If you are looking for an easier option you can select it in reverse, Quilotoa to Insilivi and Chugchilan (less overall ascents).
Within the Andes of Ecuador lies the Quilotoa loop, taking you through amazing scenery , you will see beautiful mountains, valleys, rivers, farms, and little children pointing the way. On your way you will meet plenty of the indigenous folk living in the mountains and get barked at by plenty of dogs while you see the True Ecuador.
This is a highlight trek of Ecuador so don’t miss it.Includes:
- Professional Guide
- Private transportation
- Meals (B=breakast/BL= box lunch/L=lunch/D=dinner)
- Accomodation in hostels
- Entrance fees
Excludes:
- Personal equipment (Boots, sleeping bags, gloves, waterproof jackets and pants, etc.)
- Tips
- Personal expenses and anything not specified above
Itinerary 4 Days
The hike begins in a little valley, you can see beautiful scenery of mountains, creeks, and farms as you passed them by. As we descend into a valley, we will cross a river, and began to head up. The trail goes up non-stop gaining about 1,000 ft(300m) in elevation. Passed through farms, where the cows grazed pretty much on an incline.
Finally we will arrive in our next town called Isinlivi.
Overnight at Llullu Lama hostal. (-/BL/D)
Chugchilan is a well known destination for hikers and a typcal mountain region village in Ecuador. It has a small plaza, a church and a school, and most of the people still use a horse or donkey as transport. Here you will feel like you have gone back in the time.
The first part of the trek is hiking down into a valley and then travelling along a river.
We will stop very often to rest with the cows, hang out by the river, and just enjoy ourselves. The second part of the trekking is climbing up and having some amazing view of the canyon below.
The hike ranges from 4 to 5 hours ad is moderately challenging (B/L/D)
Once again we will meet with stunning scenery. The hike up is quite demanding while we will climb up the Quilotoa Mountain. We will take many breaks as we approach the top.
The isolation of the loop brings you into contact with lots of Kichwa-speaking indigenous people and their centuries-old way of life.
Tonight we will stay at Quilotoa. (B/L/D).
After a late breakfast, return to Quito. (B/-/-/)
