Ecuador Resort Eco-Lodge

Bus Schedules    --    getting to Black Sheep Inn
For bus travel to Black Sheep Inn, the first step is to get to the bus terminal in Latacunga by 11:00 AM.  This is a straight forward morning bus ride from Quito.  If you're travelling from farther away, you may need to spend the night in Latacunga.  We have some recommendations for staying in Latacunga.

Quito to Latacunga Buses leave every 40 minutes (or less) from Terminal Quitumbe, the terminal on the south side of Quito.  The bus to Latacunga takes about 2 hours and costs about $1.50.

You can reach Terminal Quitumbe via the Trolebus, taking it all the way to the last stop, going South.  The Trolebus is an electric bus line that runs all the way through Quito, from Quito Airport in the north, to the Terminal Quitumbe in the south.  You can check out a trolebus map, and an extensive trolebus website in English.

If you start out from Quito by 8:00 AM, you should have enough time to  1. take the trolebus to Terminal Quitumbe, and  2. take the next bus to Latacunga, arriving before 11:00 AM to make your transfer.

A taxi from New Town Quito to the Quitumbe Bus Terminal costs $10 to $15 and takes about 45 minutes depending on traffic.

Latacunga to Chugchilán Look for Cooperativa Transportes La Iliniza for the bus all the way to Chugchilan.

The bus from Latacunga to Chugchilán takes about 4 hours and costs about US$2.50. Terminal Terrestre is located on the west side of the Pan American Highway, just south of the 5 de Junio Bridge.

The first bus at 11:00 AM, is through Sigchos and the second bus at 12 noon is through Zumbahua and also drops you in the Plaza of Chugchilan.

In general the journey take 4 hours by bus, but times vary widely on these trips.

Nestor's taxi - Latacunga to BSI

Cooperativa Transportes Iliniza

On the way to Zumbahua

Bus Schedules    --    departing Chugchilan
Most people traveling by bus need to first get back to Latacunga, which is on the Pan-American Highway.  Daily buses depart from Chugchilan to Latacunga at 3am and 4am.  From Latacunga, you can get buses to most major destinations.

BUT you do NOT need to wake up so early.  Remember that you are on vacation!   Private transportation can be arranged to take you to Zumbahua, Latacunga, Quito, Baños and many other destinations

Driving your own Vehicle

Renting a Car

Simon Car Rental is an independently owned car rental company, established in 2000.  Many of our guests have rented from them and they have good rates.  Simon offers car rental services at the International Airport and also through their main headquarters in Quito.  Starting around US $35 per day, check out their 4X4's starting at $48 per day.

Driving Directions

We recommend that you download and print the PDF version of these directions.  It's best to have a copy with you on the road.

driving
directions

printable
PDF

General Notes
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.  If you are driving a four wheel drive, pick-up truck or a vehicle with higher clearance, you should have no problem.

Many streets, roads, and intersections are not marked.  Therefore I 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.

From The Quito Airport -- Guayasamin Tunnel You have two options from the airport.  The first option is
Via Inter-Oceanica --> Guayasamin Tunnel --> Eastern Valley.

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.  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 '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.  They are building an overpass intersection here.

You are now on the way to Latacunga (see further Quilotoa Loop directions).

From The Quito Airport -- El Trebol interchange Alternate Route via the repaired 'El Trebol'
*This is now the quickest route.*

From the Quito airport ask directions or follow the signs to head south on the street Amazonas.  This is a main street that passes a few Banks, a large park (La Carolina) on your left and Malls.  At the J.W. Marriott, a big beige building on your left, turn left (east) on Francisco de Orellana.

Continue on Orellana up a hill until you get to a traffic circle, turn right (south) on 12 de Octubre.  Pass another traffic circle, but continue on 12 de Octubre past the Swiss Hotel and Radisson on the left.  You will go under a bridge in the middle lane, marked with a sign Oriental.  This will curve under the bridge and go to the left.  Traffic will be merging in with you. Stay straight with the main traffic flow past a large Hospital on your right and Rumiñahui Stadium on your left.  After the Hospital stay in the right lane.  The road curves right and leaves houses/apartments behind.  You'll pass a Mobile Gas Station on your right.

The traffic pattern has changed at 'El Trebol'; it is now a large traffic circle combined with and a clover leaf.  Go until a bridge and clover leaf intersection, pass under the bridge and turn right, which loops you around to the top of the same bridge, merge and stay left following the road uphill.  This is the first step out of Quito.

This road resembles a highway and climbs up.  Pass under a bridge and get in the right lane.  Exit right before the next bridge.  Sign says to Chillogallo.  You are now climbing on the Nuevo Oriental heading south.  This is a Quito bypass.  It 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.  They are building an overpass intersection here.

You are now on the way to Latacunga (see Quilotoa Loop directions below).

Heading South Once out of Quito, you are on your way south to Latacunga.  The Black Sheep Inn is at the far end of the "Quilotoa Loop," so there are two different ways you can go to get here.  Both are beautiful and take about four to five hours from Quito.  You can choose the Northern Route or the Southern Route.

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.

Quilotoa Loop -- Northern Route 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 once or twice.  People are very friendly, and if you ask the name of the next town, they usually point you in the correct direction.  Remember that many people do not own vehicles, so they may not have an accurate sense of how long it takes to get somewhere driving.  Also many people have not traveled through the back-country to locations such as Chugchilan.

After leaving Quito you will go through Aloag.  All traffic goes to the right but then you turn left by a gas station and right and continue south 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 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 to the right.

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.  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) on a new road. Lasso to Toacazo takes about 15 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.  There is a bypass being built around Toacazo that passes right by the cemetery. 

If it is Thursday and you want to go to to Saquisilí (pronounced sock-ee-see-LEE) for the market before coming up to Chugchilán, 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.  The village is just a few kilometers away.  NOTE: Our truck has been broken into once while we were at the market, so be cautious.

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.  Many people have been cured of sicknesses and disease there.  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.  They are building a by-pass around Toacazo.   There will be a gas station on your left in about a ¼km (closed).  Keep going, you are on your way to Sigchos.  You can also ask in Toacazo for the road to Sigchos (SIG-choe-z).  Road work is widening this section of road.

TOACAZO TO SIGCHOS
Sigchos is about 1½ to 2 hours away.  Toacazo to Plancha Loma is very fast now on a new road, about 10 minutes.   After Plancha Loma you climb to a high pass and the road is very good almost all the way to Sigchos, watch your speed for safety!!

The road begins to drop into a beautiful canyon.  Continue on the main road staying left at a hairpin turn at a large painted white rock.  You will cross a small bridge over a nice stream.   The next community is called Las Manzanas.  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.  Last chance for gas.  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 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 on a dirt road.  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 just under an hour from Sigchos (24 kilometers).  Our sign is on your right.  Our driveway is steep, put on the 4-wheel drive.  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!

Quilotoa Loop -- Southern Route Driving in through Zumbahua

After leaving Quito southward, you will go through Aloag.  All traffic goes to the right but then you turn left by a gas station and right and continue south 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 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 to the right.

The road narrows and traffic slows down as you come into Lasso.  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 -- (from 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!

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 gas station, you have gone to far, you are on your way to Quevedo, turn back.  You can fill your gas tank, if you haven't already.  The entrance road to Zumbahua has been widened.  Continue through the little village with the main square on your right, going down and crossing a bridge over a river.

ZUMBAHUA TO QUILOTOA (key-low-TOE-ah)
Zumbahua to Quilotoa 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 walled 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.  Chugchilán is an hour away.

100 meters further on the road to Chugchilán is the Crater Lake Lodge (they have had an administration change and we are unsure of the attention received), where there is the old driveway on your right heading to the crater.  There is a $2.00 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.  Call us for current conditions.  There is cellular phone reception through the company 'Claro 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!