Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Volcano, PRIVATE Tour, from Quito, + LUNCH
Description
Don't let the limited time in Quito keep you from discovering two of Ecuador's top natural attractions. On this full-day private tour visit Cotopaxi National Park and the stunning Quilotoa Lagoon in one experience, setting your own pace with a professional guide. Relax while someone else drives and enjoys the Andean landscape, explore without haste, breathe the pure mountain air and discover some of the most iconic landscapes in the country with total comfort and personalized attention. • Private Full Day Tour from Quito • Visit two natural icons in a single day: Cotopaxi and Quilotoa • Flexible pace and exclusive attention from a professional guide • Spectacular Andean landscapes and pure mountain air • Comfortable transport with air conditioning • Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel in Quito included • Ideal for travelers who want to optimize their time without sacrificing experience
Tour Options
Itinerary
Cotopaxi National Park is a protected area in Ecuador. The Cotopaxi volcano, an almost perfect snow cone that stands at an altitude of 5,897 meters, is something unique on the planet.
Cotopaxi Lagoon National Park The Cotopaxi National Park is home to some lake systems such as: Limpiopungo Lagoon. From the Lagoon it is possible to observe the traces left by the ancient volcanic eruptions of the majestic Cotopaxi; same activity that has given rise to the formation of the Limpiopungo Lagoon.
All information about Cotopaxi National Park is available at the Interpretation Center, which is better known as the Park Museum. It features showrooms, a souvenir shop and a café.
During the tour we will cross Andean villages such as Pujilí, Tigua and Zumbahua, communities of strong indigenous heritage Panzaleo, with roots dating back to Inca times. These towns stand out for their ancestral traditions, their authentic daily life and the landscapes that reflect the living history of the Ecuadorian mountains, bringing a valuable cultural component to this natural experience.
The Quilotoa is one of the 15 most beautiful lagoons of volcanic origin in the world, due to its emerald green color, of variable tones due to its dissolved minerals in its waters.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Start your experience worry-free. Our guide will pick you up at your HOTEL or within the city of Quito. Enjoy a comfortable and safe journey to your destination while receiving recommendations and personalized assistance. Assured return to the starting point. If your HOTEL is outside the city of Quito, don't worry we will see you, coordinate with the Pax and have a small surcharge. Embark on an unforgettable adventure with us!
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(31)
First, the driver was vey careful. (One tour we had the driver was a maniac). We were picked up right on time and the drive to Cotopaxi went smoothly with plenty of bathroom breaks. The tour guide was knowledgeable, especially about the fauna and flora around the volcano. They stopped whenever we asked for a photo shoot and never rushed us. The lagoon was stunning. We went for a shortish walk along the crater edge. So impressive. It was nice that lunch was provided in what looked to be a popular restaurant right by the lagoon. The whole tour took over 12 hours and we saw a lot in that time. I would definitely recommend this tour.
Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed review. We're especially pleased to hear that you felt comfortable and well cared for throughout the day, from the drive to the pace of the experience itself. Cotopaxi offers some truly spectacular landscapes, and we're glad you had the opportunity to enjoy them without feeling rushed. It’s wonderful to know that the guide’s knowledge and the flexibility of the day helped make the experience even more memorable. Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing to explore Ecuador with us.
Jossua was a great guide. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. We saw the beautiful Cotopaxi volcano and walked around the lagoon. We ate lunch at Quilatoa and then walked around the lake. We got to try some local food and interact with locals. We would definitely recommend Jossua as your guide!
Thank you for sharing your experience! Cotopaxi and Quilotoa make an incredible combination, and we're delighted you had the opportunity to enjoy both in a single day. We're especially pleased to hear that Jossua's knowledge and helpfulness enhanced your journey. Experiencing local food and connecting with local communities are some of the most rewarding parts of traveling, and we're glad those moments made your day even more memorable. Thank you for your recommendation!
Had a amazing time seeing the stunning landscapes of Ecuador. My guide Jossua was very knowledgeable, friendly, and hospitable. One of the best guides I've ever had. A truly unique experience. Cotopaxi and Quilotoa are very impressive to see in person
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re truly happy to hear you had such an amazing time exploring Ecuador’s stunning landscapes. It’s wonderful to know that Jossua made your experience even more special with his knowledge and friendliness—he’ll be delighted to hear this! Cotopaxi and Quilotoa are indeed unforgettable, and we’re so glad you got to experience them in such a meaningful way. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another unique adventure ✨
A day full of adventures! The landscapes are incredible. We were able to see the Quilotoa volcano and lagoon. We enjoyed a delicious Andean menu. A highly recommended tour!
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad you enjoyed the breathtaking landscapes of Quilotoa and the Andean flavors of our menu. It’s wonderful to know your day was full of adventure—your recommendation means a lot to us!
We visited the Cotopaxi National Park and Quilotoa Crater Lagoon but our views were restricted due to rain on our tour day. Our stop at Cotopaxi was very far from the summit. It would have been nice to drive closer to the volcano. It was interesting to see the countryside during the drive to the sites – hundreds of greenhouses for cultivating roses, farms that span to the tops of the mountains, and Andean indigenous villages. The tour to both locations required driving from the Eastern Andes to the Western Andes resulting in a long day riding in a car. Lunch was provided in a local restaurant and was delicious authentic Andean cuisine. Our guide (not sure of his name) didn’t provide much information about where we were travelling. He answered questions when asked. At the end of our ride he provided some information about Quito and some places to visit in the city. His driver was very pleasant and accommodating.
We regret that the weather conditions did not allow you to fully enjoy the views at Cotopaxi National Park. In the Andean region, the weather can change suddenly, and on rainy or cloudy days visibility is often limited. We always prioritize the safety and well-being of our passengers, so every decision during the tour is made according to the conditions at the moment. We appreciate that you highlighted the Andean countryside landscapes and the local culinary experience, which are an important part of the journey. We also value your observation regarding the information shared during the drive. Providing enriching experiences is very important to us, and your comments help us continue improving our service. We hope to welcome you again and that on a future visit we can enjoy better weather conditions for an even more memorable experience.
While the drive is long, it’s a beautiful, scenic ride through the mountains and small villages. Quilotoa was amazing and worth seeing. Cotopaxi was a little cloudy and we could only see a portion of the volcano but we still enjoyed visiting. Our guide Luis was friendly, knowledgeable and very easy to talk to, which was nice given the time we spent in the car. Would recommend this tour.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re glad you enjoyed the scenic drive through the mountains and villages—it's truly part of the experience. Even with some clouds at Cotopaxi, we’re happy to hear you still had a great visit and found Quilotoa amazing and worth it. Luis will be delighted to know you appreciated his friendliness and knowledge, especially during the longer drive. We truly value your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another adventure in Ecuador.
Jhonathan was our guide and he came 20 mins earlier than pickup time. He went out of his way to find a pharmacy for us to buy high elevation pills. When we started our journey, he pointed out landmarks along the way. We hiked at the Cotopaxi base lagoon and then drove to Quilotoa crater, where he pointed out feral and local dogs waiting on the highway for cars to throw food to them. On the way back, we stopped at a road stand and tried popsicles with 4 flavors of fruits, for 55cents each. It was a satisfying, full day.
Thank you for sharing such a detailed experience! We’re happy to hear Jhonathan went the extra mile, from arriving early to assisting with the pharmacy stop and sharing local insights along the way. Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, and those small local treats truly make the day special. We’re glad you had a full and satisfying experience with us.
It was an unforgettable trip I recommend to live Ecuador is a country with incredible and unique landscapes the best option q can be to take for my tour in Ecuador this tourist company. Your guide jhonatan excellent driver Diego knowledgeable of the road
¡Muchas gracias por compartir su experiencia! 😊 Nos alegra saber que el viaje fue inolvidable y que disfrutó de los paisajes únicos de Ecuador. Transmitiremos sus amables palabras a Jhonatan y a Diego, quienes estarán encantados de saber que su trabajo fue valorado. Será un placer recibirlos nuevamente y seguir acompañándolos a descubrir más de nuestro país.
Everything was perfectly organized from start to finish. Professional, punctual service with warm attention to every detail. The experience was smooth, enjoyable, and truly memorable. Highly recommended for travelers looking to discover Ecuador with quality, care, and authenticity.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re glad to hear everything was perfectly organized and that you felt the care and attention in every detail. It truly means a lot to us to know the experience was smooth and memorable. We’d be happy to welcome you back anytime to discover more of Ecuador.
We would not recommend this tour. We spent over 9 hours in a car and unfortunately, only saw Quilotoa. This was due to weather. We thought that all admissions, were included however we had to pay the admission into Quilotoa. Water was to also stated to be included, and when asked for we were given a bottle that had already been drank from. We then had to buy water at a rest stop. Young adult that was the driver was great, however we were not impressed with the actual tour guide. He seemed to be more interested in getting thru the day, than providing us with a good tour. Lunch was included, but consisted of a bowl of local soup. The soup was good, however a piece of bread and a refreshment with it would have been nice.
Thank you for sharing your experience. We are sorry that the tour did not meet your expectations and we apologize for any inconvenience. We have photographic records confirming entry to Cotopaxi National Park, the visit to Limpiopungo Lagoon, and that due to weather conditions approximately 50% of the volcano was visible. All admissions included in the tour were purchased in advance; the additional payment corresponded to an activity not included in the booked itinerary, carried out by the passenger’s choice. The tour had a total duration of approximately 8 hours, distributed as follows: 1.5 hours inside Cotopaxi National Park, 2 hours at Quilotoa Lagoon, 1 hour for lunch, and the remaining time for transfers, all in line with the information provided in the itinerary. Our service is checked before each departure, including both the vehicle and the beverages. Lunch was a local food tasting, served according to the selection made at the time. It is very important that any concerns be communicated during the tour so they can be addressed immediately and to avoid later misunderstandings, especially considering that the service took place several months ago. We appreciate your feedback and take it as an opportunity to improve.
