Some questions on the Quilotoa Loop
Oct 13th, 2015, 08:51 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some questions on the Quilotoa Loop
We're considering the Quilotoa loop in lieu of the Nariz del Diablo. Does it make sense to do the entire loop in one day (from Latacunga) or should we stay overnight one or more nights? Has anyone stayed at the Black Sheep Inn? Is it a good staging point for day hikes? And how plausible is it to find same-day transport from Baños to the Black Sheep Inn/Chugchilán? (I assume that, at a minimum, we would need to transfer buses in Latacunga.) Any tips/suggestions welcomed! Thank you in advance for your assistance. GotT
Oct 13th, 2015, 09:23 AM
#2
If you write to Black Sheep Inn they are very responsive.
I believe crellston did it so he will undoubtedly chime in.
I did a similar although less difficult loop around Cuicocha outside of Otavalo and wanted to cry.
I believe crellston did it so he will undoubtedly chime in.
I did a similar although less difficult loop around Cuicocha outside of Otavalo and wanted to cry.
Oct 13th, 2015, 09:33 AM
#3
BTW if you are planning activities around any volcanoes, this is a useful website, although in Spanish
http://www.igepn.edu.ec/cotopaxi
As you probably know, Cotopaxi was rumbling and spewing last month which was affecting some excursion plans!
http://www.igepn.edu.ec/cotopaxi
As you probably know, Cotopaxi was rumbling and spewing last month which was affecting some excursion plans!
Oct 14th, 2015, 07:48 PM
#4
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The "entire" loop takes around three days and is heavily dependent on buses, milk trucks etc which don't run every day. I think there is more info on this in LP and RG guidebooks.
Even the hike from Quilatoa to Chughilan is best done over two days and nights, which is what we did.
From Latacunga it was a two hour bus ride up to Quilatoa. To/ from Banos was 3-4 hours inc. a change along the way.
Stayed at the Chukiwara which was the best place there - by far! Buses seemed reasonably frequent. To get the best view of the crater it is essential to overnight there as the clouds roll in around midday and obscure the crater completely . It is a spectacular view!
The hike from Quilatoa to Chughilan I think is around 7-8 kms, not far but it was quite hard because much of it is quite steep and is at altitudes of between 3500 and 3900. We noticed it even though we had been at altitude for over a month. Absolutely worth it though.
Can't recall the name of the places we stayed at in Chughilan but I really wished we hadn't. Met several people who stayed at the Black Sheep and loved it.
Do check out the times of the buses back to Latacunga, they don't run every day ( or at least they didn't in 2013. Hostal Tiana in Latacunga were very helpful in sorting out the details on transport.
Entry 6 on our blog has more info
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...ai/6/tpod.html
It is a really beautiful area and, even though it is hard to get to, I doubt you would regret choosing Quilatoa over Nariz del Diablo (well apart from the aching feet!)
Even the hike from Quilatoa to Chughilan is best done over two days and nights, which is what we did.
From Latacunga it was a two hour bus ride up to Quilatoa. To/ from Banos was 3-4 hours inc. a change along the way.
Stayed at the Chukiwara which was the best place there - by far! Buses seemed reasonably frequent. To get the best view of the crater it is essential to overnight there as the clouds roll in around midday and obscure the crater completely . It is a spectacular view!
The hike from Quilatoa to Chughilan I think is around 7-8 kms, not far but it was quite hard because much of it is quite steep and is at altitudes of between 3500 and 3900. We noticed it even though we had been at altitude for over a month. Absolutely worth it though.
Can't recall the name of the places we stayed at in Chughilan but I really wished we hadn't. Met several people who stayed at the Black Sheep and loved it.
Do check out the times of the buses back to Latacunga, they don't run every day ( or at least they didn't in 2013. Hostal Tiana in Latacunga were very helpful in sorting out the details on transport.
Entry 6 on our blog has more info
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...ai/6/tpod.html
It is a really beautiful area and, even though it is hard to get to, I doubt you would regret choosing Quilatoa over Nariz del Diablo (well apart from the aching feet!)
Oct 16th, 2015, 03:17 PM
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are welcome gotravel. Here is the link to the LP article
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/ecuador...ocal-transport
I now recall that we schedule our trip to leave Chughilan on a Sunday to avoid getting up in the VERY early hours to get the bus.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/ecuador...ocal-transport
I now recall that we schedule our trip to leave Chughilan on a Sunday to avoid getting up in the VERY early hours to get the bus.
