{"id":18557,"date":"2019-08-25T08:00:57","date_gmt":"2019-08-25T13:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wanderbusecuador.com\/blog\/2019\/08\/25\/quilotoa-loop-from-quito\/"},"modified":"2021-07-20T19:59:52","modified_gmt":"2021-07-21T00:59:52","slug":"quilotoa-loop-from-quito","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderbusecuador.com\/es\/quilotoa-loop-from-quito\/","title":{"rendered":"The Quilotoa Loop from Quito"},"content":{"rendered":"

As multi-day trekking becomes more popular in Ecuador, routes and trails are being logged online and made more available to visitors. The <\/span>Quilotoa Loop<\/span><\/a> from Quito is an oldie, but goodie and one of the best options for travelers that didn\u2019t come with all the necessary gear to camp out in the Andean highlands for multiple nights.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/span><\/h2>\n

What is Quilotoa Loop?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Quilotoa Loop is a customizable, multi-day trek in the region surrounding the Quilotoa crater, which can include a section into and\/or around the crater itself. One popular route for the Quilotoa Loop starts in Quilotoa and ends in Sigchos, passing through the towns of Chugchil\u00e1n and Isinliv\u00ed. However, <\/span>you can go about the trek in many different ways.\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Something to keep in mind is that this trek isn\u2019t necessarily a \u201cloop\u201d. That is, you probably won\u2019t finish where you started, it really just depends on the route you decide to take. To complete the actual \u201cloop\u201d, start in Sigchos (which you can get to by bus from Latacunga), hike to Isinliv\u00ed, Chugchil\u00e1n, Quilotoa, and end in Zumbahua.<\/span><\/p>\n

So far we\u2019ve mentioned the following two routes:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Easier route<\/strong>: Latacunga, Quilotoa, Chugchil\u00e1n, Isinlivi, Sigchos, Latacunga<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Harder route<\/strong> due to the increase in elevation, full loop: Latacunga, Sigchos, Isinlivi, Chugchil\u00e1n, Quilotoa, Zumbahua, Latacunga.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Notice these routes go in opposite directions! The reason you might choose one direction over another is due to changes in elevation during the trek. From Sigchos to Isinlivi and Chugchil\u00e1n, the elevation increases significantly, making it a harder direction overall.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Also, you probably won\u2019t be hiking from Latacunga to the first town of your chosen route, be it Quilotoa or Sigchos. We suggest you take a bus for this leg of the journey, as well as your departure from the last town to Latacunga and onwards to your next destination.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Generally speaking, the Quilotoa loop takes about 2-4 days, unless you prefer to take it easier, in which case it could take up to 7 days. However, since there\u2019s so much to see in this region of Ecuador, <\/span>I personally would only devote 4 days to this route<\/i><\/b> and use the remaining days to explore other nearby areas of the Ecuadorian Andes. Note: these estimates <\/span>do not<\/b> include transit time to Latacunga <\/span>from Quito<\/span><\/a> (or elsewhere) to start the route, or back to Quito or your next destination.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"Best<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Best itinerary to start your Quilotoa loop from Quito<\/span><\/h2>\n

    As much as I love the idea of completing a full loop, I would recommend you follow option 1 listed above when planning the Quilotoa Loop from <\/span>Quito<\/span><\/a>. This would take a total of 4 days and look something like this:<\/span><\/p>\n