Quilotoa Loop Questions

Hi All,

My head is spinning with the possibilities of how to do the Quilotoa loop, but I feel like I still have too many missing pieces to sort out what would work best for me. Any help with my questions below would be greatly appreciated!

For those who have done the Quilota Loop independently -- clockwise from Latacunga seems to be the direction to go, as far as transportation connections? The Cloudforest Hostel was recommended by a few of you, and it sounds like a good place to base; I'm a bit lost on how to get here from the Chugchilan bus stop (possible to do independently?). Also, is it possible/safe/economical to then get out to Quilotoa Cater & Saquisili independently, or would I need to arrange a guide/go with a tour group? (maybe the hostel makes these arrangements? Any idea on cost?)

I read that basing in Latacunga is another option (though that would make for long bus rides in to where the action's at... so I'm not too keen on that idea.

A few of you also posted about doing Quilotoa as a day-trip from Quito with Happy Gringo. Those of you who posted about it seemed to think it was a worthwhile (albeit hurried) way to see the area. I might be tempted to try the day-trip option, if it comes down to needing to save on time. Does anyone know, do you still get a chance to hike down into the crater on this daytrip (I'm hoping yes)?

I also read some good recommendations about the Ola Adventures tour w/Joe -- a 3-day loop, cost was ~$100, I believe. Where would this tour be arranged/starting from? Quito? Latacunga? I like the idea of ending in Banos, as someone had posted about, since that would be my next stop.

Thanks in advance!

Hello,

I was like you and could not work out how the transport worked so I went with OLA-adventures, we started in Quito and the I went on with them to Baños on there next trip. I have to say I am glad that I did Quilotoa with OLA as it would have been hard to do and see as much as we did on the bus....

Good luck and which ever way you do it its an amazing area.

Ben

Hi Moxie

I have travelled the Quilotoa loop independently - unfortunately I am at work at the moment at the end of a very long week, so I can't look up the details of what happened at the moment (and stuck in an office on a sunny Saturday afternoon/evening it all seems very, very far away indeed!)

I don't want to provide you with incorrect information but will get back to you. I stayed a really good place and met some great people in that area, so hopefully I can help you out. Ben is right in saying that no matter how you see it, it's worth visiting.

Cheers
Bela

Hi;

I was like you; I planned and researched my trip till my head hurt, worrying how I was going to get to such remote places alone, safe and sound and satisfied. I had stayed at La Cienega, just outside of Latacunga. A very, very beautiful 400 year-old hosteria which was worth every penny. Amazingly, it was only $50 a night, with breakfast included. If that is somewhere in your price range, I would highly recommend staying there! They set up my daytrip to Quilotoa and my driver was a real treat! A very sweet young man (Samuel) who spoke some English and was delightful to spend time with. A real gentleman.

My pictures and journals are posted at http://public.fotki.com/stormbird/. If you have any questions feel free to ask me. I traveled solo for the first 5 days of my trip and feel comfortable telling you that you won't have any problems. The people are very helpful and considerate.

Here is a very good journal I had stumbled upon while I was planning my trip. Think you will enjoy also.

http://www.nancychuang.com/journals/ecuador_mountains_and_coast/the_quilotoa_loop.html

Good luck with your plans!

Thanks so much for your replies --
Ben, good feedback on OLA, seems to be a good way to go if I decide it's too much to try to do independently.
Bela, if you have an opportunity to send me more info on how you did the Loop independently, I would greatly appreciate it!
Stormbird, I checked out your photos (which are great!), and now I'm even MORE excited about what adventures await me in SA. La Cienega will def be out of my price range for this trip, but thanks for the advice. I'll def check out that journal link.
~Moxie