Is the Cotopaxi and Quilotoa 1-Day Tour in 2025 Worth It? A Genuinely Honest Review

So, you’ve probably seen the pictures online, right? Basically, these absolutely stunning images of a perfectly cone-shaped volcano and a crater lake that’s just this crazy shade of turquoise. Then, you know, you found a tour that says you can see both of them in one day. As a matter of fact, the idea sounds amazing, kind of like hitting two major bucket list spots with just one stone. Well, I went and did that very trip, and to be honest, I want to give you the real story on what it’s actually like. It’s a very, very long day with a lot of time spent in a van, you know. Still, seeing these two natural wonders of Ecuador back-to-back is, in a way, an experience you won’t soon forget.

The Early Morning Start and the Drive to Cotopaxi

Okay, so the day starts pretty much before the sun comes up, seriously. The van usually gets you from your place in Quito when it’s still dark and a little bit chilly, you know. You just sort of stumble out into the quiet streets, and it’s almost a little strange to see the city so sleepy. Anyway, once you’re in the van and on your way, you can watch the sky slowly get brighter, which is actually a really nice part of the experience. We made a stop for breakfast, which was, frankly, very much needed. It’s typically a simple, local meal, maybe some eggs, bread, and some amazing coffee that just gets you ready for the day ahead. This stop, by the way, is also where you might meet the other people on your tour, all of you kind of sharing that sleepy, excited feeling.

Then, it’s really all about the drive up the Pan-American Highway. Honestly, the scenery just keeps changing in a really interesting way. You leave the city behind and everything just gets greener and more open, like you’re heading into another world. The guide we had was pretty great, actually; he started telling us stories about the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” and pointing out different peaks along the way. You know, you can feel the air change and the vehicle climbing higher and higher. It’s a feeling that is, in a way, both exciting and just a little bit nerve-wracking, as you know you’re getting closer to one of the world’s tallest active volcanoes.

First Impressions of Cotopaxi National Park

So, as a matter of fact, when you finally go through the gates into Cotopaxi National Park, everything feels bigger. The scale of the place is, honestly, kind of hard to wrap your head around at first. You see Cotopaxi itself, and on a clear day, it’s just this gigantic, snow-covered thing against a deep blue sky that almost doesn’t look real. Our first proper stop was at Limpiopungo Lagoon, which is apparently at about 3,800 meters (or 12,467 feet). The air there is noticeably thinner and cooler, so you’ll want your jacket, you know. On a calm day, you might get a really amazing reflection of the volcano in the water, which makes for some pretty incredible pictures.

Next, it’s typically time for the main event at Cotopaxi: the walk up to the José F. Rivas Refuge. Now, this is really where the altitude comes into play, so you have to take it seriously. You drive up a bumpy road to a parking lot at around 4,500 meters (14,763 feet), and from there, it’s a short but pretty tough walk up to the refuge at 4,864 meters (15,958 feet). I mean, every step feels like a lot more effort than usual. You just have to go slowly and breathe deeply, you know. Reaching the refuge feels like a huge accomplishment, honestly. Inside, you can often buy a hot chocolate or coca tea, which, frankly, feels like the best thing you’ve ever tasted at that moment. The view from up there, looking down at the clouds, is just something else entirely.

The Journey Between Giants: From Cotopaxi to Quilotoa

Alright, so after the morning high—literally—at Cotopaxi, it’s time to get back in the van for a pretty long ride to the next stop, Quilotoa. To be honest, you should be prepared for this part of the day; it’s a good couple of hours of driving. You get to see a completely different side of the Andes, though. You drive through these small farming towns and past fields of quinoa and potatoes that just seem to be clinging to the sides of steep hills. Our driver made a quick stop for us to look at the Toachi Canyon, which was, in fact, an unexpected and really amazing view. It’s this huge, deep gorge that was apparently carved out by a past volcanic eruption.

You know, our guide said something that sort of stuck with me. He was like, “People come for the big volcanoes, but they fall in love with the little moments in between—the views, the people, the food.” And he was pretty much right.

Lunch usually happens during this part of the trip, at a small, family-run restaurant. It’s often your chance to try some authentic highland food. For instance, you might get a bowl of hearty quinoa soup or a plate of *seco de chivo*, which is a kind of goat stew. It’s simple, filling food that just tastes so good after a morning spent out in the cold air. In a way, this part of the day, the drive and the lunch, feels like a really authentic glimpse into everyday life in the Ecuadorian Andes, which is something you just don’t get from a postcard.

The Breathtaking View of Quilotoa Lagoon

So then, finally, you get to Quilotoa. And seriously, no matter how many photos you’ve seen, you are just not prepared for the view when you walk up to the rim of the crater. It is absolutely stunning. Basically, you are standing at over 3,914 meters (12,841 feet) looking down into this huge volcanic crater filled with the most incredibly blue-green water. The color, apparently, changes with the sunlight and the weather, so it never looks quite the same. The wind up there can be really strong, but you kind of don’t even care because you’re just staring at this massive natural spectacle.

You then have a choice, really. You can just hang out at the top, walk along the crater rim for different views, or you can take the steep, sandy path all the way down to the water’s edge. I’ll be honest, the hike down is the easy part. The hike back up is seriously tough, you know, especially at this altitude. It’s a lot steeper than the walk at Cotopaxi, actually. Many people choose to hire a mule for the trip back up, which is a very popular option and costs a few dollars. Whether you go down or just admire it from the top, the experience of seeing Quilotoa is, just, really powerful. It feels very ancient and wild, and it’s a completely different vibe from the icy peak of Cotopaxi.

My Final Thoughts and Practical Tips for Your Trip

At the end of the day, is this trip worth doing? Honestly, I think it depends on what you’re looking for. If you are very short on time in Ecuador and absolutely want to see these two iconic spots, then yes, this tour is an incredibly efficient way to do it. You literally see two of the country’s biggest natural highlights in about 12 hours. On the other hand, it’s a very rushed day. You get just a small taste of each place, you know. You definitely don’t have time to do the full hike around the Quilotoa crater rim or really explore the lowlands of Cotopaxi. It’s basically a highlights reel, and you’re in a vehicle for a very large part of the day. It’s an amazing day, but also a really tiring one.

So, to help you decide and prepare if you do go, here are some tips that I think are really useful:

• Deal with the Altitude First: Seriously, spend at least two or three days in Quito (which is already high) to get your body used to the altitude before you try this trip. It just makes everything more enjoyable.
• Dress in Layers: The weather can change in a second. You could have, like, bright sun one minute and then cold wind and rain the next. So, a t-shirt, a fleece, and a waterproof jacket are pretty much your best friends.
• Sun Protection is No Joke: Because you are so high up and on the equator, the sun is incredibly strong, even when it’s cloudy. So, bring high-SPF sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
• Drink Lots of Water: Staying hydrated really helps with the altitude. Drink water constantly throughout the day, more than you think you need. Coca tea helps too.
• Bring Some Cash: You’ll likely need some small bills for things like bathroom access, snacks, that hot chocolate at the refuge, or maybe hiring a mule at Quilotoa.
• Pace Yourself: You will hear this a lot, but it’s true. Just walk slowly, breathe deeply, and listen to your body. This isn’t a race, and you’ll enjoy it more if you don’t push yourself too hard.

Read our full review: Cotopaxi Quilotoa 1 Day Tour Full Review and Details
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