Driving Instructions to the
Black Sheep Inn

Black Sheep Inn
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If coming from the South of Ecuador: Baños, Ambato, Riobamba, Chimborazo or even Cuenca click here.

If coming from the Coast of Ecuador:  Guayaquil, Puerto Lopez, Manta, Bahia de Caraquez, or Esmeraldas click here.

From Quito:
Remember, Black Sheep Inn is about 5 hours driving from Quito. It is best to leave in the morning in order to insure great views along the way and to have enough time for photo breaks and stretching your legs. You do not need a four wheel drive to get here, even the smallest rent-a-cars make it, but the road can be extremely rough. Call us if it is the rainy season.  If you are driving a four wheel drive, pick-up truck or a vehicle with higher clearance, you should have no problem.

These driving instructions start from the airport in Quito.  If you are familiar with Quito and know how to head south out of the city on the Pan-American Highway, skip ahead to:  "YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO LATACUNGA".  These instructions on how to leave Quito are helpful.

Many streets, roads, and intersections are not marked. Therefore I will describe clear landmarks to look for as you drive. When I refer to bridges in the city, I am ignoring pedestrian walkways that go over the road. It may be helpful if someone can be your navigator, and read to you as you are driving. I apologize if the landmarks have changed or if some of the instructions are redundant.

QUITO
Traffic patterns have changed dramatically because of the rain/flood damage in April 2008 to an intersection called 'El Trebol' in the southern exit from Quito.  The following directions are based on going through the Guayasamin Tunnel on the Via Inter-Oceanica to the eastern valley. 

WARNING: this tunnel runs exclusively one-way into Quito from approximately 6am to 9am and exclusively one-way out of Quito from 5pm to 8 pm.   The tunnel has two-way traffic during all other hours.  If you must drive in or out of Quito and the tunnel is going the wrong way, try driving further north through Los Granados to the Nuevo Oriental/Quito by-pass.

From the airport ask directions or follow the signs to head south on the street Amazonas.  This is a main street that passes a few Banks.  After a large park (La Carolina) on your left, turn left on Republica and at the next intersection turn left again onto Eloy Alfaro. (If you need go via Los Granados continue straight on Eloy Alfaro.) At the next stop light turn right on Los Shyris.  At the next stop light veer right following the traffic circle, but stay left and immediately take the first exit left going down an underpass.  This will put you into the Guayasamin Tunnel in the via Inter-Oceanica going towards Cumbaya and Tumbaco. 

When you come out of the tunnel there is a .40¢ toll booth.  Take the first exit right and loop sharply around to the Nuevo Oriental heading south.  This is a Quito bypass and curves around behind the city.  It will cross a large bridge and climb up the other side.  After crossing another bridge over a large road (this connects to the damaged 'El Trebol') continue straight and climb up on the Nuevo Oriental heading south.

The Nuevo Oriental goes up high on the eastern ridge above Quito.  There is a pull out on the right with a view over the Southern part of the city. 

Continue on the Nuevo Oriental and follow a sign for 'Tambillo - Aloag - SUR'.  This is a fast new road, El Periferico, that stays high.  There will be a traffic light as the Pan American Highway merges in from the right.

YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO LATACUNGA, but you do not need to go as far as Latacunga. 

We live at the end of a loop, so there are two different ways you can go to get to Black Sheep Inn.  Both are beautiful and take about five hours from Quito.  You should plan on driving in one way, and out the other.  This way you can complete the loop and enjoy the unique scenery in both directions.  We recommend coming in via the Northern Route and Sigchos, then when you depart you can see Laguna Quilotoa in the morning when the weather is the best and continue on the rest of the loop.

The Northern Route goes near Saquisilí and then through Toacazo and Sigchos to Chugchilán.  This route is slightly harder to find your way.  You may need to ask directions a little bit more.  People are very friendly, and if you ask the name of the next town, they usually point you in the correct direction.

Currently there is construction on the Toacazo-Sigchos road.  Expect delays and muddy conditions if it is raining. 

The Southern Route goes through Latacunga, Pujilí, Zumbahua, past Laguna Quilotoa and then to Chugchilán.  If you come in the southern route, try to plan enough time to visit Laguna Quilotoa on your way to Black Sheep Inn.  That way you will be able to drive out the northern route through Sigchos without back-tracking.  

NOTE: The road from Latacunga through Zumbahua to La Maná and Quevedo has been worked on over the last few years.  It is now paved with asphalt and in very good condition.  The worst section is from Laguna Quilotoa to Chugchilan.

If you have a cell phone call us on Porta at (09) 963-5405. There is cellular phone reception through the company 'Porta Cellular' along most of the loop. 

Call us for current conditions! Especially in the rainy season.

I will describe both routes to you: 

Currently there is construction on the Toacazo-Sigchos road.  Expect delays and muddy conditions if it is raining. 

THE NORTHERN ROUTE -driving through Sigchos
PAN-AMERICAN HIGHWAY SOUTH has been sold to private concessions.  The road improvements are great, but expect to pay a toll.  After leaving Quito you will go through Aloag.  Be aware of current construction.  It is more like a truck stop along a bad section of the road.  They have built a by-pass which helps.  All traffic goes to the right but then you turn left by a gas station and right (where the road is mostly destroyed) and continue on the Pan American.  Aloag is the turn-off for traffic going down to Santo Domingo and the coast.  Make sure you continue south to Latacunga, not west towards Santo Domingo.   Lasso is 33 kilometers south of Aloag.  You will pass through Machachi, the road narrows and there are a few gas stations.  There is a good restaurant called Café de la Vaca on the left hand side of the highway shortly after Machachi.  It's a great place to stop for breakfast or lunch.  South, after Café de la Vaca there is a PanaVial toll booth (currently $1.00).  Then you will climb over a mountain pass that has lots of pine trees.  There is a police check point just before you start coming back down off the mountain pass.  If it is clear, Cotopaxi is very close on your left, the Ilinizas Twin Peaks on the right.  Sometimes coming down this pass you can see the Avenue of the Volcanoes: Tungurahua (smoking), Las Altars, Sangay (also smoking, but further away) and Chimborazo.

The road narrows and traffic slows down as you come into Lasso.  This is about 1½ hours south of Quito.   After crossing the railroad tracks, turn right across the street from a P&S Gas Station (Petroleos y Servicios). If you pass a Terpel Gas Station on your left, then you have gone too far.  Lasso is your last chance to buy "SUPER" - high octane gas.  You can buy gasoline further in the Loop, but only "EXTRA" - which is regular unleaded gas.  We always use EXTRA for our pick-up truck.  Again, head west on a small paved street across from the P&S Gas Station, this road passes a tall communications antenna and has several speed bumps. Continue straight, crossing over a main road.  

You are now on your way to Toacazo (toe-ah-CAH-so).  The road changes to cobble stone.  Lasso to Toacazo takes about 20-30 minutes.  You will pass a few flower plantations (plastic covered greenhouses) and a hotel called La Quinta Colorada on your left.  Follow the road as it curves around, do not turn at any of the intersections.  When you arrive at the main square of Toacazo turn immediately right and then take the next left.  There will be a gas station on your left in about a ½ km.  Keep going, you are on your way to Sigchos.  

If it is Thursday and you want to go to to Saquisilí (pronounced sock-ee-see-LEE) for the market before coming up to Chugchilan, then you will turn left on the main road after the tall communications antenna.   You should be on a paved road. You will pass a gray sign with white and yellow letters on your right that says "SANTUARIO DE CUICUNO". And then go down a steep hill and over a river and pass under a very faded sign over the road that said "Welcome to Saquisilí" in English.  The village is just a few kilometers away.  NOTE: Our truck has been broken into once while we were at the market, so be careful.

When leaving Saquisilí Market return the same way and turn left at the "SANTUARIO DE CUICUNO" sign.  The road climbs steeply up to a beautiful old church on your left, and turns right.  Visit the Church if it is open and you have time.  The road is paved with asphalt.  In Toacazo they have changed the traffic pattern of the one square village. You must turn right one block away from the main square on a one way street, at the next block you are forced left, drive straight into the main square.  Keep going straight one block past the main square and turn left.  There will be a gas station on your left in about a ½ km.  Keep going, you are on your way to Sigchos. You can also ask in Toacazo for the road to Sigchos (SIG-choe-z).

Currently there is construction on the Toacazo-Sigchos road.  Expect delays and muddy conditions if it is raining. 

TOACAZO TO SIGCHOS
Fill your gas tank as you leave Toacazo, if you haven't already.  Sigchos is about 1½ to 2 hours away.  You are now on a newly paved asphalt road winding deep into the backcountry, but it quickly deteriorates to cobblestone.  You'll climb over a mountain pass.  You'll be surprised that the road is paved in sections, and very bad in other sections.  The road begins to drop into a beautiful canyon.  Continue on the main road staying left at a hairpin turn at a large painted faded white rock.  After a small bridge over a nice stream the road is newly paved, watch your speed!!  The next community is called Las Manzanas, where there is new $0.25 toll (suspended). After which, you will drop down into the Rio Toachi canyon and climb up the other side.  About half way up it will become cobbled again going through Yaló (yah-LOW).  There is a gas station on your left in Yaló.  Keep going up to Sigchos.

Sigchos now has street signs and even a few stop lights!  As you come into Sigchos you will be on a short section of potholed asphalt road called "14 de Noviembre".   After passing the Municipio parking lot with some road equipment and paving stones, take the second left onto "Eloy Alfaro".  Continue straight through stop lights and about 6-8 intersections.  The road becomes cobbled for about 1 kilometer and you are on your way to Chugchilán.  OR ask in Sigchos for the road to Chugchilán (choog-chee-LAHN).  This road stays high above the canyon, if you are dropping down right away, turn back.  We are about an hour from Sigchos (24 kilometers). The last hour from Sigchos to Chugchilán is the worst part of the road. Call for current conditions, especially in the rainy season.   Our sign is on your right.  Our driveway is steep, put on the 4-wheel drive if it's not on already.  If you do not have 4-wheel drive honk your horn at the bottom of the driveway and we can help you get your luggage and car up.

Welcome!!!!

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THE SOUTHERN ROUTE - driving in through Zumbahua
Continue on the Pan American Highway south through Lasso to Latacunga (lah-tah-COON-gah), about 20 minutes. Pass a military installation with a stop light.  The first stop light is just north of Latacunga, the next two lights are very close together, turn right (west) at the fourth stop light.  This is the Latacunga - Quevedo road.  

If coming from the South of Ecuador (Baños, Ambato, Riobamba, Chimborazo or even Cuenca), come through Salcedo (on some maps it is called San Miguel) and when you arrive in Latacunga on the Pan American Highway, take a left at a stop light (west) after the Terminal Terrestre (Bus Station). This is the Latacunga - Quevedo road.  

Latacunga is your last chance to buy "SUPER" - high octane gas.  You can buy gasoline further in the Loop, but only "EXTRA" - which is regular unleaded gas.  We always use EXTRA for our pick-up truck.

Go over the railroad tracks and continue straight.  There is a traffic circle with a statue of people making cement blocks in the middle, curve left.   Pass an old church on the right, continue towards Pujilí (pooh-hee-LEE) about 15 kilometers and fill up your gas tank.  Continue through Pujilí climbing as you leave.  In Cuatro Esquinas, there are 4 bakeries.  You will go up and up and up on a pretty good road! 

UPDATE:  The road from Latacunga through Zumbahua to La Maná and Quevedo has been worked on over the last few years.  It is now paved with asphalt and in very good condition.  The last hour (22 kilometers) from Quilotoa to Chugchilán is the worst section of the road and at this time a 4x4 is highly recommended.  Calls us for current conditions, especially in the rainy season.

Now you are heading towards Zumbahua (zoom-BAH-wah) about 1½ hours out of Pujilí (65 kilometers).  Tigua is about 10 km before Zumbahua and they have a small gallery featuring Naïf Paintings.  More paintings are also available at Laguna Quilotoa.  Right before the turn off into Zumbahua there are some small stands selling drinks and food on your right.  The turn off to Zumbahua, Quilotoa and Chugchilán is just after these stands on your right.  If  you pass the new gas station, you have gone to far, you are on your way to Quevedo.  You can fill your gas tank, if you haven't already.  The entrance road to Zumbahua is being widened.  Continue straight through the little village with the main square on your right, going down and crossing a bridge over a river.

If coming from the Coast to the Black Sheep Inn you must plan plenty of time.  From all beach places you must first get to Quevedo.  Guayaquil to Quevedo is just approximately 3 hours.  Esmeraldas to Quevedo is about 4 hours.  Puerto Viejo to Quevedo is about 6 hours.  You should confirm these times before you start traveling.  Follow the Quevedo-Latacunga road up going through La Maná, Gauyacan, Tingo to Pilaló.  Top off your gas tank in Pilaló.  It is about 4 hours + driving from Quevedo to Zumbahua and then 1½ hours more to Chugchilán.

ZUMBAHUA TO QUILOTOA (key-low-TOE-ah) is 14 kilometers (about 25 minutes driving).  After a few kilometers along the paved road, you cross another stream and pass through a small community.  The road follows along the canyon's edge, turn right at the fork and then over another bridge.  There is a painted sign for Quilotoa at this junction.  Follow the paved road.  The road climbs gradually to Quilopungo, a small school and fenced in playground.  Continue past the Ponce turnoff on the right (also with an old painted sign for Cabanas Quilotoa), and up to an archway indicating the entrance to Quilotoa on the right and the road to Chugchilán (choog-chee-LAHN) to the left.  It is worth stopping to see Laguna Quilotoa on the way in, even if only for a few photos. 

100 meters further on the road to Chugchilán is a scratched and faded tombstone-shaped sign for Quilotoa, where there is the old driveway on your right heading to the crater.  This is across from the new Crater Lake Lodge.  There is a $1.00 entrance fee to Laguna Quilotoa.  All proceeds go to the local community to make improvements around the crater.

Continue 22 kilometers (about an hour) to Chugchilán.  The worst part of the road is between Quilotoa and Chugchilán and a 4x4 is currently highly recommended.  Call us for current conditions. If you have a cell phone call us on Porta at (09) 963-5405. There is cellular phone reception through the company 'Porta Cellular' along most of the loop.

We live a ½ kilometer down the main road past the village of Chugchilán (a small plaza with a church and some buildings).  Our sign and driveway will be on your left.  The driveway is steep, be sure to have the four wheel drive on.  If you do not have 4-wheel drive honk your horn at the bottom of the driveway and we can help you get your luggage and car up.

Welcome!!!

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The Latacunga Loop or Quilotoa Circuit

Dark Green = The Iliniza Ecological Reserve 

Andres Hammerman & Michelle Kirby
Black Sheep Inn
An Ecologically Friendly Hotel
P.O. Box 05-01-240
Chugchilán, Cotopaxi, Ecuador
South America
Telf : (593) 3  281-4587
Contact Us at Black Sheep Inn