Quilotoa Loop

Our friends Tammen and Bridgit joined us in Quito for a few days before we set out for what seemed to feel like the "real" start to the trip because we were finally on the move. Our trip started with a 3-hour bus ride to the small city of Latacunga. Latacunga is one of the hubs for getting to Baños, Cotopaxi, and the towns on the Quilotoa Loop. It is also where we dropped off our bigger backpacks, so we didn't have to carry them during the 3-day hike.

The Quilotoa Loop is part of the Andes and Ecuador’s central highlands. After a lot of research, talking to people, and checking the weather forecast for the week we were pretty confident we needed cold weather clothes and rain gear for the next few days.

Hiking to Isinliví

Distance Hiked 10.7 km / 6.7 m

After spending the night in Latacunga we woke up early and caught a bus to Sigchos, a small town where we would begin our hike to Isinliví. We arrived around 11:30 and set off on our hike. To navigate we were relying on a paper map/instructions (which when translated to English did not make for the easiest directions) from our hostel, Maps.Me and red and yellow-painted signs that marked the trail.

The first day took us down into a valley and along a small river. Since we were all anticipating cold weather for the next few days we were all in pants and long sleeve shirts, it was clear after the first hour, as we shed off layer after layer that it wasn't going to be as cold as we thought. By the time we crossed the river and started our climb up the other side of the valley we were drenched in sweat and cursing everyone that told us to bring cold-weather gear.

We finally made it to the top of the incline and eventually to our Hostal Lulu Lulu Llama. Now it might have just been because of the day we had but we all fell immediately in love with this place! The dorms were situated above the main seating room area in an open area with 12 beds. To get there you took a labyrinth of stairs past beams and hanging straw blinds blocking the "private" dorm rooms. On the main level was a bar with craft beer, a yoga studio, and a deck with a gorgeous view of the mountain! Just outside and down the path was a beautiful spa with a sauna, hot tub, and views of the mountains! (Best $19 we spent so far!)

Photos from the first day of hiking!

Hike to Chugchilán

Distance Hiked 12.4km / 7.7m

After a restful night's sleep and an early morning yoga class for Tiffany, we were ready to set off for our second day for hiking. After walking along the dirt road we eventually came to a turn which took us down into a valley to a snakey path and along a river. We followed the river as we headed deeper into the valley before coming to a small town made up of a school, shop and a church. From here it was a big push up to get out of the valley and to Chugchilán, our stop for the night.

However, after being spoiled at Lulu Lulu Llama, we had high hopes for our hostel in Chugchilán. Now even though this hostel didn't have the same charm as the first night it had gorgeous views and a Turkish Bath (Steamroom) and Sauna, so it was hard to complain. We also noticed that it had gotten quite a bit colder as the evening wore on so that cold-weather gear was starting to come in handy.

Hiking to Quilotoa

Distance Hiked 11.4km and 7.1mi

That morning the blisters on my heels were really killing me and no matter what I did I couldn't get them covered enough so they wouldn't hurt. If only there would have been a store where I could have bought maxi pads and wore them like my mom did when she hiking the El Camino in Portugal! Apart from my blisters, we were all a little tired but in good spirits for the last leg of the hike.

The first part of the hike was spent wandering along a dirt road, which took us past small farms and through the mountains. The road then turned into a path that slowly wound its way down into a small valley and then back up again to a village. From here we started our final push up what seemed like a never-ending road. As our legs grew heavier and our breath was hard to come by we finally reached the top and we immediately greeted by cold gusts of wind and this view....

We spent the rest of the afternoon walking along from the lookout point of Quilotoa Crater to the town of Quilotoa. This trail took us along the edge of the rim of the crater, the entire time giving us gorgeous views along the way. By the time we reach the town the temperature had dropped and we were all so happy that we lugged that cold-weather gear with us! We capped off the day with a delicious hot glass of canelazo, sugarcane alcohol with hot cider and cinnamon.