This four-day, 26-mile backpacking course on Ecuador’s Quilotoa Loop takes participants through dramatic Andean landscapes, remote highland villages, and the breathtaking crater lake of Quilotoa. Designed for adventurous hikers, the trip builds endurance, navigation skills, and cultural awareness while trekking at altitude along rugged trails. Though we carry our packs through each day, food, drinks, beds and hot showers are awaiting us each evening. Our accommodations range from simple hostel settings to more luxurious lodge settings. There is no camping on this trip, making it a great introduction to backpacking.

We will meet in Southern Quito and catch a bus at Terminal Terrestre Quitumbe at 1pm. Here we will meet fellow travellers and go over gear before catching a three hour bus to the village of Sigchos, the start of our backpacking trip. From downtown Sigchos, we will hike 2km to our accommodations for the night.

Total hiking: 2km/ 30 minutes

Elevation gain 30meters

After a breakfast at our mountainside lodge we embark on our first big day of the trip. For the next 12km we meander through secluded farms and sweeping views of the Andean mountains. While paths exist, we move through local fields and dirt roads in a serene setting. We end our day in the village of Isinlivi where we check into an eco lodge where a Turkish bath, cold drinks and homemade food is waiting.

Total hiking:

12km/ 5-6hours

Elevation gain: 457 meters

After a relaxing evening at the eco lodge, we make our way to to town of Chugchilán. Today we will hike through bustling forest, across remote rivers, towering limestone cliffs, and remote farmlands, embracing a whole array of Andean Mountain flora and fauna. We are end our day in town where folks are able to attend local markets and stores. We stay at a simple Hostel with private rooms where drinks are available and home cooked dinner.

Total hiking:

15km / 5.5-7hours

Elevation gain: 595 meters

Our last day take us up to 3900 meters. A long day of climbing leads to sweeping views of our final destination, Quilotoa Crater. A spiritual place tucked away in the Ecuadorian Andes. After taking in the views and lunch at the crater rim, we drop inside the rim to finish the remainder of our hike into town. From town we grab a bus that leads us back to Quito where we conclude our trip. Dinner is not provided on our final evening.

Total hiking:

14.5Km / 6.5-8 hours

Elevation gain: 975 meters