Quilotoa Lagoon and Baños City in 2 days

Quilotoa Lagoon and Baños City in 2 days

See many landscapes on the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Little by little, you will discover different cultures and customs. Our eyes will be attracted by extensive plantations of barley, potatoes, turnips, oats and maybe on the way you will dare to savor a delicious and exotic dish like the guinea pig. After arrival, the lagoon with soul of princess will give you the welcome to start a special connection with the nature.
Baños is a city to admire because it´s full of waterfalls, forests, ecological trails, cultural and adventure activities. Visitors are always happy after visiting this city that is located 191km from the city of Quito. Your adrenaline will flow when you go from one side to another one over rivers either by ziplining or in tarabita (cable car). If you dare, in a short time you will be under one of the 8 most beautiful waterfalls in the world. The crystalline waterfalls will purify your soul and desire you to stay on this place forever.

Itinerary

Day 1: Quito - Quilotoa Lagoon - Baños City

Stop At: Laguna Quilotoa, Laguna de Quilotoa, 070701 Ecuador
A full day from Quito city to explore the timeless beauty and Quilotoa crater located at 3800m asl (12467 ft). You can be as active or relaxed as you like. Enjoy the Ecuador’s famous water-fill crater, with its commanding view of lagoon in the western Andes mountain range, the remnant of an ancient volcano. Quilotoa offers a wide variety of activities from which to choose: hiking, kayaking, photography or just enjoy this peacefull place. On the way to Quilotoa you will enjoy an scenic view about different elevations and volcanoes. Learn more about Ecuadorian Kichwa communities, local markets and customs, then get a taste of local flavors in one of the restaurants of the community.
During the trip, we can stop and share with people of the communities. We will stop in a small gallery to observe handicrafts, paintings, masks that capture the Mother Earth or Pacha Mama. Also, the scenic view shows up a big extension of barley, potatoes, wheat, lupins, ocas and more plantations.
Close to Quilota lagoon, we will observe one of the largest parishes in this region, called Sumbahua. This place homes the majority of the population of this area. Also, gives place to one of the largest Andean Indigenous market which the best day to admire this market is on Saturdays.
Upon arrival, we prepare our small back pack to start the descent. We walk down on a snaky trail for approximately 40 minutes. On the road down, we observe the lagoon with different colors which is perfect to do fothografhy. By arriving in the lagoon, we can walk around of this or rent kayaks to navigate on the sulfur water of the lacuna.
The ascent, we will start road up from the lower part of the lagoon until arrive in the viewpoint. We walk up approximately for 60 minutes or so. This will depend on your physical condition. However, this tourist attraction offers mule back riding rent with an extra cost, In case you don't feel ready for the climb up.
Upon returning to the upper part of the lagoon, we will take a break to lunch. After this, we will continue our trip to the city of Baños.

Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at La Floresta, a 3-star hotel

Day 2: Baños city - Quito

Stop At: Pailon del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron), Rio Verde - 18Km From Banos, Banos Ecuador
A delicious breakfast will be the beginning of a great day. We go out to the tree house from where we can see if the weather allows the majestic volcano with a woman's soul "Mama Tungurahua". Undoubtedly, we can enjoy the swing of the end of the world, a swing that is above 2300m high. This swing will return us to our childhood, even though its size has no relationship with our childhood, rather it is for adult people with a child's soul.
Next stop will be at the bride's mantle, named for the color that causes the water to fall, which is similar to the color of the veil that brides usually wear, from this place we will cross the Agoyan river by Tarabita. When we arrive in the other side, we take a walk along nature trails that would become one of the limits of the Llanganates National Park. Embrace and experience one of the most impressive waterfalls in South America known as the devil's cauldron. This waterfall is 80m high with a volume of about 3,000 m³ of water per second that falls into a kind of giant pot. A hike in descent will lead us to be in contact with this impressive waterfall, from there you will see a green and dense vegetation. In addition, you can capture with your cameras incredible postcards of this waterfall.
If you are tired, it is time to recharge your energy in one of the good reputation restaurant in this sector. At the end of lunch, we will return to Quito.

Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.