Itinerary Ecuador: Hotels, Markets, Hiking, Explore Haciendas

Home	7 to 9 Day Itinerary for Latacunga Loop

Black Sheep Inn

Highlights of the Area

Day Hikes & Activities

	The Quilotoa Circuit is a great area to spend a week or more exploring colorful indigenous markets, day hiking through canyons, horseback riding into the cloud forest and of course visiting the spectacular Laguna Quilotoa. Its emerald water spans two kilometers. Local legend claims it is connected to the ocean and is therefore salty and sulfuric. (photo by Juerg Buehler)
Links & Recommendations
For Reservations: Black Sheep Inn

One Week Itinerary - Stunning Scenery & Centuries Old Culture

This itinerary IS OPTIONAL, and can start on any day of the week. We recommend visiting the Saquisilí Market and Cotopaxi National Park, either on your way in to Chugchilan or on your way out because we are located 3 hours from either of them. Each day of the week different villages have markets and or activities. Any of these activities can be swapped for different days or can be replaced with days of pure rest and relaxation. Remember you are on vacation! We do NOT book the Haciendas for you, these are simply suggestions.

	Day 1 - Tuesday, Arrive at Haciendas Travel from Quito, 2 hours south, to near Cotopaxi National Park. Public buses cost approximately $2 each. Taxi's or private transport from Quito is $40 to $50. We recommend the following hotels/haciendas. Hacienda San Augustine de Callo - Luxury: Hacienda built on top of Incan Ruins at the foot of Cotopaxi Volcano. All bathrooms have both claw-footed bathtubs and fireplaces. $250 doubles includes dinner & breakfast, fishing, horses... www.IncaHacienda.com Hacienda La Cienega - Mid Range: 400 year old Hacienda has walls that are 3 to 4 feet wide (1 meter thick ). Beautiful gardens and chapel. It is worth the extra money for the suite as you will be in a room with a balcony that many famous dignitaries stayed in... literally the king of the castle. $60 doubles, $150 suite www.HosteriaLaCienega.com Hosteria San Mateo - Mid Range: Great steaks, comfortable rooms, very friendly. $60 doubles www.HosteriaSanMateo.com La Quinta Colorado - Budget: Also a converted Hacienda on the way to Toacazo, quiet on a back road near flower plantations. $28 doubles includes dinner & breakfast. Hotel Rodelu - in the center of Latacunga with a good Pizzeria Restaurant downstairs. Not as quiet or quaint as the options listed above, but one of the nicest places in Latacunga. $18-27 doubles www.Rodelu.com.ec
San Augustine de Callo

Hacienda La Cienega

The Biking Dutchman does great downhill bike trips in Cotopaxi National Park. They can pick you up or drop you off at the Hacienda of your choice. Check out their website at: www.bikingdutchman.com .

Day 2 - Wednesday, Tour Cotopaxi
Tour Cotopaxi National Park, the Highest Active Volcano in the World. Arrange for a driver to pick you up from your hotel after breakfast and take you into the park. $10 entrance fee per person. You can drive up to the parking lot at 14,650 feet (4500 meters), and then walk one hour to the refuge at 15,650 feet (4800 meters). If you are not terribly effected by the altitude, you can continue past the refuge as far as the glaciers. Cotopaxi National Park also includes a museum and a high alpine lake. Spend the night in the Hacienda of your choice.

NOTE: if you do not stay at Hacienda San Augustine de Callo but would like to visit, you can go there for a fancy breakfast (US$20 per person) and see the beautiful Incan rock walls.
NOTE: Hacienda La Cienega also has a good restaurant for Lunch or Dinner. The drive down the tree lined entrance is very impressive.

	Day 3 - Thursday Morning, Saquisilí Market Our driver can pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the Thursday Morning Saquisilí Market. Economically, it is one of the most important markets in the province of Cotopaxi. The entire community comes alive with vendors at every street corner selling everything imaginable throughout the village. If you want to buy a llama, the best selection at the animal market is at 6 am, so make sure you get an early start. Good weavings and tourist items are for sale until approximately 1pm.
Saquisili Market Weaving

Day 3 - Thursday Afternoon, Drive to Black Sheep Inn passing close to Iliniza Twin Peaks
	Our driver can take you deeper into the back country on twisting windy narrow Andean roads which hug the skirts of the Iliniza Twin Peaks. Stop for photos as you wish and arrive at the Black Sheep Inn with time for a short afternoon walk into the village to watch the locals play volleyball. Driver charges $60 for up to 4 people. The public bus to Chugchilan leaves Saquisilí Market at 11am, make sure you buy your ticket an hour in advance $2.50.
One of Nestor's Vehicles

	Day 4 - Friday, Short Acclimatization Walks There are several self guided hikes and walks to do right from the Black Sheep Inn. For your first day we recommend two short hikes: to the plateau with beautiful views looking into the Rio Toachi canyon (2-4 hours) and the ridge hike which takes you high above the Black Sheep Inn property (1 hour).
Plateau

Day 5 - Saturday, Zumbahua Morning Market or Horseback Riding
Hire a local truck to take you to Saturday Morning Zumbahua Market surrounded by rocky peaks. Very indigenous and colorful. Lots of llamas. Market is ending by 1-2 pm. Also visit Tigua Naïf painters Gallery. You can stop at Laguna Quilotoa for a quick photo on your way to the Market. Truck costs $30-50 for up to 5 people.
OR
Day 5 - Horseback Riding to the Cheese Factory looping back over the Paramó with a guided tour of the Cloud Forest, 5 hours - $15 per person. If you don't like horses you can also hike this same route in 5+ hours. Guides are available.

Zumbahua Market


Horse Back to Canyon	Wood Shop	Suspension Bridge
Day 6 - Sunday, Chugchilán Market, Canyon Hike and Italian Mission Woodworking Shop Every Sunday we have a special Breakfast of Pancakes and JAZZ. After breakfast stroll through the small Sunday Market in Chugchilan. Then head down into the Rio Toachi Canyon to the village of Itualo and the suspension bridge. After climbing out of the canyon visit the showroom of Centro Artistico Don Bosco where they make fine hand carved furniture. This hike can also be done as a horseback ride, 4-5 hours - $12 per person.

	Day 7 - Monday, Guantualo Morning Market Hike across the canyon to visit a very small, non-touristy, rural community market. See how people have been trading for hundreds of years. This is a three hour hike each way. Guides and or horses are available.
Rio Toachi Canyon

	Day 8 - Tuesday, Famous Laguna Quilotoa Hike Take a truck in the morning to Laguna Quilotoa, a emerald volcanic crater lake. The 5 hour hike back to Chugchilan is one of the best in Ecuador with stunning views of the crater lake, passing through the indigenous village of Guayama and crossing the Rio Sihui Canyon, a tributary to the Rio Toachi. Guides are available for $10 plus tips.
	Laguna Quilotoa is a beautiful volcanic crater lake located at 3800 meters (12,400 feet) between Zumbahua and Chugchilán. Its emerald water spans two kilometers. Local legend claims it is connected to the ocean and is therefore salty and sulfuric. The trail is now marked for the world famous hike from Laguna Quilotoa to Chugchilan through the Rio Toachi Canyon. Laguna Quilotoa is also accessible by car or bus.
Photos of Laguna Quilotoa


Day 9 - Wednesday, Rest Day and/or Travel out and stay near Cotopaxi National Park and Saquisilí Complete the loop and travel out to near Cotopaxi National Park via Zumbahua, Tigua Artists Gallery and Pujili Market. Stay at one of the Haciendas and visit the Saquisilí Market on Thursday Morning.

If you want to see the entire area we recommend spending at least one week! We can help you customize any itinerary that you wish.

Prices for Activities in Itinerary:
Private Taxi or 4x4 Jeep between Latacunga and Quito	approx. $50
Hacienda San Augustine de Callo	$250 doubles
Hacienda La Cienega	$60 doubles, $150 suite
La Quinta Colorado	$28 doubles
Hotel Rodelu	$18-27 doubles
Private Taxi or 4x4 Jeep into Cotopaxi Park	$60 up to 4 people
Cotopaxi National Park Entrance Fee	$10 per person
Private Taxi or 4x4 Jeep between Latacunga or Lasso and Black Sheep Inn	$60 up to 4 people
Hire a local truck in Chugchilan	$25 to $30 plus waiting time
Horseback Riding with Guide in Chugchilán	$12 to $20
Native Guides in Chugchilan	$10 minimum
Private Transportation between Quito and Black Sheep Inn	$100 up to 5 people
Prices at Black Sheep Inn	$30 to $100 per person
Don't miss out! Reserve Now at the Black Sheep Inn!!

7 to 9 Day Itinerary for Latacunga Loop

One Week Itinerary - Stunning Scenery & Centuries Old Culture