My honest answer: go to Quilotoa
Hi, I’m Marco. I’ve been running tours out of Quito for more than 20 years, and this is the question I get asked most at our hostel desk. If you only have one day, I almost always tell my friends to go to Quilotoa.
You can see big mountains all over the world. What you can’t see everywhere is the Quilotoa day. You drive deep into the Andes on winding roads, past farms and little markets, and you end up standing above a turquoise lake inside a volcano. There aren’t many crater lakes like that on the planet. For me, it’s the most authentic day you can have from Quito.
Cotopaxi is a beautiful mountain, and for some people it’s the better pick (I’ll explain below). And here’s a little secret: if you leave early and the sky is clear, you’ll usually see Cotopaxi from the road on the way to Quilotoa anyway.
Cotopaxi vs Quilotoa side by side
| Quilotoa | Cotopaxi | |
|---|---|---|
| The highlight | A turquoise crater lake inside a volcano | One of the world’s highest active volcanoes (5,897 m) |
| The day | A long, scenic drive through Andean villages and markets, then time at the crater | Hike and bike in Cotopaxi National Park |
| Best for | Landscapes, culture and photos | Active travellers who want a mountain day |
| Shared tour meets | Plaza Foch about 7:10am or Plaza San Blas about 7:20am | Plaza Foch about 7:10am or Plaza San Blas about 7:20am |
| Back in Quito | About 5:30pm | About 4:30 to 5pm |
| Shared tour price | $68 per person | $73 per person |
If you’d rather not meet at a plaza, think about going private. We can start earlier so you get more time out there, and we’ll pick you up and drop you off at your hotel, Airbnb or wherever you’re staying. Private tours start at $150 per person, with a minimum of 2 people.
Which one is right for you?
Go to Quilotoa if you want the most memorable single day out of Quito. It’s perfect if it’s your first time in Ecuador, if you love taking photos, or if you’re curious about how people live up in the Andes. Yes, you’ll spend more time in the van, but honestly the drive is half the magic.
Go to Cotopaxi if you’re short on time or you want to move your body. It gets you back to Quito earlier, so it works well if you have a flight or dinner plans that night. It’s also a great first taste of the high Andes.
Coming with little ones? As a dad myself, I’ll be straight with you: I don’t recommend either tour for very young kids. It’s a long day and the altitude is real. Babies under 2 come free, kids under 6 get 50% off and kids under 12 get 25% off.
Just landed in Quito? Both tours go higher than Quito’s 2,850 m. Please give yourself a day or two in the city first. I’d hate for a headache from the altitude to ruin your day.
Prefer to go on your own? I’ve written a separate guide on how to travel to Cotopaxi independently.
Can you do Cotopaxi and Quilotoa in one day?
You can, but only on a private tour, and I want to be honest about what that day looks like. Most of it is spent in the car:
- Quito to Cotopaxi: about 1.5 to 2 hours of driving
- Cotopaxi: about 1 to 1.5 hours, which isn’t really enough to see much
- Cotopaxi to Quilotoa: about 2 hours of driving
- Quilotoa: about 2 hours at the crater, plus a market or the canyon if there’s time
- The drive back to Quito
That’s why I usually suggest our 2-day Cotopaxi & Quilotoa tour ($170 per person). You actually get to enjoy both places instead of watching them through a van window.
But if one day is all you’ve got, I get it. Send us a WhatsApp at +593 97 998 4730 and we’ll build a private day around you. We can leave earlier to squeeze in more time, and we’ll pick you up and drop you off right at your hotel or Airbnb.
Day tours that fit your schedule
All of our day tours leave in the morning and get you back to Quito the same evening. If you’re juggling flights or plans, here’s when you’ll be back:
| Tour | Meets | Back in Quito | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotopaxi Hike & Bike | About 7:10 to 7:20am | About 4:30 to 5pm | $73 |
| Quilotoa | About 7:10 to 7:20am | About 5:30pm | $68 |
| Otavalo | About 7:10 to 7:20am | About 5:30 to 6pm, with time to shop at the market | $68 |
| Mindo | About 6:50am | About 7pm | $68 |
Times depend on Quito traffic. If none of these fit, just tell me what you need. On a private tour we can start earlier, go at your pace, and pick you up and drop you off wherever you’re staying. Private tours start at $150 per person, with a minimum of 2 people.
Questions friends ask me
Which is better, Cotopaxi or Quilotoa?
For most people, Quilotoa. The drive through the Andes, the markets and the crater lake make it the more authentic day. Pick Cotopaxi if you want to be active or need to be back a bit earlier.
Can I do Cotopaxi and Quilotoa in one day?
Yes, on a private tour, but you’ll spend most of the day driving. I’d rather you take the 2-day Cotopaxi & Quilotoa tour ($170) and really enjoy both.
Will I see Cotopaxi on the Quilotoa tour?
Often, yes. On a clear morning you can see the volcano from the road heading south. Clouds like to roll in later in the day, so the earlier the better.
What time do day tours get back to Quito?
Cotopaxi about 4:30 to 5pm, Quilotoa about 5:30pm, Otavalo about 5:30 to 6pm and Mindo about 7pm. Traffic can change that a little.
Are these tours good for kids?
I don’t recommend Cotopaxi or Quilotoa for very young children because of the altitude and the long day. Babies under 2 go free, kids under 6 pay 50% and kids under 12 get 25% off.
Can you pick me up from my hotel?
Our shared tours meet at Plaza Foch or Plaza San Blas. On a private tour we pick you up and drop you off at your hotel, Airbnb or even the airport, and we can start earlier if you want more time out there.
What if my plans change?
It happens to all of us. If you cancel more than 48 hours before the tour, you get a full refund. Between 24 and 48 hours before, you get 50% back. With less than 24 hours’ notice, on the day itself or if you don’t show up, we can’t give a refund, and the same goes for changes once the tour has started. Just message us as early as you can and we’ll do our best to help. Here’s our full cancellation policy.
How do I book?
You can book online on each tour page, or just message us on WhatsApp at +593 97 998 4730. You’ll be talking to a real person on our team in Quito, and we’ll help you plan the best day for you. For us it’s not about selling a tour. It’s about you having the best time possible while you’re in Ecuador.
