Quilotoa Crater Lake from Quito: The Turquoise Caldera & How to Reach It

Round a final bend in the highlands and the ground simply falls away into a vast caldera filled with impossibly turquoise water. Quilotoa is the kind of view that stops conversations.

What to expect

Quilotoa is a water-filled volcanic crater high in the Andes southwest of Quito, sitting at around 3,900 m on the rim. The classic visit:

• Take in the rim viewpoint — the payoff is immediate and spectacular.
• Hike down to the water’s edge (around 30–45 minutes); the climb back up is the hard part at this altitude — mules are available.
• Serious walkers use it as the finale of the multi-day Quilotoa Loop through Andean villages.

The light and color shift through the day, and the air is thin and cold, so it’s a place to take your time.

Getting there from Quito

Quilotoa is a few hours southwest of Quito through farmland and high páramo. From Quito airport (UIO) or the city, a private flat-rate transfer makes the long, winding drive simple: one fixed price, a driver used to mountain roads, and no juggling rural bus connections to reach a remote crater.

Quilotoa is outside the prepaid airport-hotel and Quito-city rates on our rates page, so message us for a quote.

Tips

• The rim is at high altitude — don’t rush the hike, and acclimatize in Quito or the valleys first.
• Bring warm, windproof layers; it’s cold and exposed on the rim even when sunny.
• Go early for the best light and to leave time for the climb back up.
• Pair it with other highlands stops on the way — just ask when you book.

With the driving handled by a pre-booked driver, you arrive fresh and spend your energy on the view, not the logistics.