3-day Trek from Isinlivi to Laguna Quilotoa, Ecuador

For 3 magnificent days, enjoy a trekking adventure from Isinlivi to the Laguna Quilotoa in Ecuador with ASEGUIM certified guide Fernando and his team.

Group

Andes

3 Days

Jun

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Spend 3 days visiting and exploring different areas of Ecuador.
Drive through the incredible Avenida de los Volcanoes.
Marvel at the beauty of the Quilotoa lagoon.

Description

For 3 exciting days, explore some of the most beautiful spots in Ecuador. Those spots include the villages of Isinlivi and Chugchilan, as well as the gorgeous Quilotoa Lagoon (3,914m).

Our trip will start in the capital city of Quito. From the city, we will drive through the amazing Avenida de Los Volcanes, where you can gaze at a number of the country’s most incredible peaks. At the conclusion of the first day’s drive, we will arrive at the village of Isinlivi. For the rest of the day, you will get to explore the village, talk to the people living there and soak in the beauty.

On the second day of this trip, we will hike for approximately 4-5 hours. The hike is slightly challenging. As a result, participants on this trip should be in good physical condition. In the village of Chugchilan, you will get to enjoy the old styles of Ecuador, including regular donkey and horse transportation by the local population.

On the final day of this trip, we will make our way from Chugchilan to the Quilotoa Lagoon, via Huayama. During the trek, which can be challenging at points, you will get to enjoy great views of the Toachi River Canyon. When we reach the Quilotoa lagoon, you can marvel at the pure and reflective blue water in the middle of the crater before we depart and go to the village of El Chaupi.

This 3-day adventure is definitely a treat for anybody that has wanted to explore Ecuador. If you are interested, then send a request today and let’s start planning your adventure!

Would you like to enjoy a longer, more extensive trip to Ecuador? Then come on this 16-day adventure that will take you to several summits, including Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Transport during the trip

Price details

Along with the guiding fee, the price also includes transportation, hostal accommodations and meals, but does not include personal gear, such as clothes etc, flights, hotel in Quito, insurance and gratuities.

Itinerary

Day 1: Isinlivi (2,700m)

At approximately 8:00 am, we will leave Quito and make our way through the Avendia de los volcanes to the village of Isinlivi, where you will get to explore before resting for the night.

Day 2: Chugchilan (3,200m)

Today, at approximately 7:30 am, we will hike from Isinlivi to the village of Chugchilan. The hike will take about 4-5 hours and involve trekking down to the Toachi Canyon. We will spend the night in the Cloud Forest Hostal.

Day 3: Quilotoa Lagoon (3,914m)

From Chugchilan, we will hike to the Quilotoa lagoon. At the lagoon, you can rest, take pictures and explore. The hike will take approximately 4-5 hours. We will then drive to the village of El Chaupi.

About the guide

Fernando

4.6

(24)

Mountain Leader

ASEGUIM Guide from Ecuador

Fernando Iza was born and raised in the Cotopaxi Province of Ecuador and knows the country’s peaks intimately. He is an official ASEGUIM mountain guide with more than 18 years of mountaineering experience climbing in all of Ecuador, as well as in South America, Switzerland, France, and the United States.

Fernando has worked for mountaineering companies in Ecuador, Europe and the United States from a young age. Now, he has set up his own basecamp at Ilinizas Mountain Lodge, right next to Iliniza Volcano, Rumiñahui Volcano, and the famous Cotopaxi Volcano. He has summited Cotopaxi more than 637 times and has summitted Chimborazo Volcano close to 200 times.

Fernando got his degree in Tourism Technology at Cenestur Institute, and in 2021 started studying Business administration with Cuosera.

He has completed important courses such as:

Mountain Guides Course by ASEGUIM (Ecuadorian Association of Mountain Guides),
Mountain Guides Evaluation by ENSA (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme) in October 2006. This event was organized by the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador and ENSA of France
Pre-course UIAGM, an event organized by ASEGUIM and ENSA (Ecole Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme)
Wilderness first aid courses
Ecuadorian Red Cross courses
He speaks fluent Spanish and English, as well as a little German, French, Hebrew and Kichua

The most spectacular guided tours that Fernando has done.

Antisana South Peak Open new rout
Alpamayo
Matterhorn
Denali

Languages

German | French | English

Certificates

ASEGUIM

Request more information

What people are saying about Fernando

MICHAIL

Fernando is a very experienced guide, with a great know-how in hiking high altitudes. The hike was demanding, so having a guide who was responsible and knew how to coach us while climbing was extremely important. We could not make it to the top, but the adventure was absolutely worthy!

Carolyn

Had a really great trip climbing in the Ecuadorian Andes. Fernando is a very capable guide. His true passion is big, technical climbs and he is a less excited about the more basic acclimatization hikes. The lodging and food in El Chaupi is great. There was not a ton of advanced communication and the pre-trip prep each night before was a little sparse and lacking in detail. There was limited flexibility if we wanted to adjust the itinerary (such as including an extra walk to a lagoon, ect). Overall, a good experience.

Jana

There were no briefings about the upcoming itineraries, I’d mostly find along the way, what’s the plan. He would make changes to his moods. He didn’t inform me in adavance about the specifics of each refugio/ lodge/ camp concerning the distance from car, electricity and would make fun/made snide comments “your choice” of the things I packed at the aftermath, but offered no guidance. I have read from others that he is very knowledgeable and explained a lot- that hasn’t been my experience, he surely is an apt mountaineer, but he wasn’t actively explaining or showing things, he was just always on his cellphone. He could be very short, abrasive and inpatient. At one time even another climber intervened “to save me”

Sebastien

Our guide Fernando was great to adapt the trip for our two little girls. A great experience it was fir us all. Thank you.

frederic

Fernando and Sergio are very good guides, not only very safe and motivating in the mountains, but very nice between the climbs. And i have learned a lot too about the culture in the country. Their hotel near Illniza is perfectly located, safe and you are received as if your were at home with Fernando's family. And they will take care of everything, so you just have to concentrate yourself on the climbs. Thank you!