3-Day Hiking Adventure to Cotopaxi, Quilotoa & Baños
Cotopaxi Quilotoa & Baños
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Additional Info
- Similar Tours
What's included
- A guided tour of important places
- Accommodation in double or twin room
- Accommodation pick up and drop off
- Entrance Ticket to end of the world swing
- Entrance to Pailon del Diablo waterfall
- Standard Accommodation (private room and restroom)
- Transportation to all activities as per itinerary
- Adventure Sports or rentals (rafting, bungee, Zipline, canopy, rapell)
- Lunch and Dinner
- Personal expenses
- Services not specifically stated in the itinerary
- Tips to guide and driver
Overview of This 3 Day Hiking Tour in Ecuador
- Day 1: Cotopaxi National Park → Quilotoa
- Day 2: Quilotoa Crater Hike → Baños
- Day 3: Waterfall Hikes & Scenic Trails in Baños
Quito → Cotopaxi → Quilotoa
-
Morning:
-
Depart Quito early (8:30 AM).
-
Arrive at Cotopaxi National Park (~2 hours drive).
-
Register at the entrance and drive to the highest point the 4x4 vehicle will reach (4500m known as the parking area). Layer up and get ready to challenge your body and hike to the base camp José Rivas (~4,864m).
-
Hiking time: 1.5–2 hours round trip from the parking area to the base camp and back. It will depend on your physical condition.
-
Optional if weather and your physical condition helps, continue hiking to reach the glacier @ 5020m
-
-
-
Midday:
-
Visit Limpiopungo Lagoon with volcano views.
-
Optional short hike around the lagoon (~1 hour).
- Finish the tour and have lunch.
-
-
Afternoon: Drive from Cotopaxi National Park to Quilotoa village (~2.5 hours).
-
Scenic drive through the pristine Andean highlands.
-
Arrive by late afternoon to settle in and enjoy sunset views.
-
-
Overnight: Stay in Quilotoa village
Quilotoa → Baños
-
Morning:
-
Hike the Quilotoa Crater Rim Loop (~10 km, 5–6 hours):
-
Moderate to challenging trail with constant elevation shifts (~3,900m).
-
Panoramic views of the lagoon and Andes mountain range.
-
-
Alternate: Shorter hike down to the lake (~30 min), optional 30 minute kayak rent and then to go back up is possible and optional to rent a mule to return.
-
-
Afternoon:
-
Lunch in Quilotoa village.
-
Drive to Baños de Agua Santa (~3 hours).
-
-
Evening:
-
Relax in town, get a relaxing or therapeutic massage or visit local the public hot springs and its medicinal waters.
-
-
Overnight: Stay in Baños
Baños- Quito
-
Morning:
-
Hike or bike the Ruta de las Cascadas (Waterfall Route):
-
Agoyan
-
Manto de la Novia – includes a cable car crossing optional to hike to it.
-
Pailón del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron) – must-see
Afternoon:
-
Visit Casa del Árbol (Swing at the End of the World).
-
-
Return to Quito (~3.5 hours).
-
More about this tour
This 3-day hiking tour takes you deep into the heart of Ecuador’s Andean highlands, combining three of the country’s most iconic destinations. Begin at Cotopaxi National Park, where you’ll hike to the José Rivas Refuge and admire the towering, snow-draped volcano. Then continue to the awe-inspiring Quilotoa Crater, with the option to hike the full rim or descend to the vivid turquoise lake. Finally, explore the adventure capital of Baños, with its famous waterfalls, cloud forest scenery, and the thrill of the Swing at the End of the World. Perfect for travelers short on time but big on outdoor adventure and Andean beauty.
