What to do and see in Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador: The Best Tours

February 10, 2022 Leonarda Pillsbury

Cotopaxi (Spanish pronunciation: [kotoˈpaksi]) is one of the provinces of Ecuador. The capital is Latacunga. The province contains the Cotopaxi Volcano, an intermittent volcano with a height of 19,388 feet.
Restaurants in Cotopaxi Province

1. Quilotoa Lagoon and Indian Markets in One Day from Quito

Quito, Quito, Pichincha Province Free Walking Tour Ecuador
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5.0 based on 16 reviews

With this day tour you get the opportunity to visit the breathtaking Quilotoa Crater lake, located about 2.5 hours south of Quito this emerald colored lake is one of a kind. You will get the opportunity to visit a local indigenous market and hike down to the lake and even go for a swim if you like!

Inclusions: Bottled water, Lunch, Driver/guide, Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points

Exclusions: Entrance fees ($2 entrance to park), Breakfast, Additional fees (mule $10 or canoe ride $5)

Reviewed By jodig663

I had a walking tour of Old Town Quito with Caro. She was an excellent guide, providing info on the sights and history of the country. She also helped me practice my Spanish, which gave me a huge confidence boost. I would highly recommend this tour.

2. Quilotoa Lagoon

Galapagos My World
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

See many volcanoes and understand why this region was named "The Avenue of the Volcanoes" by the German naturalist scientific Alexander von Humboldt. Mountains and green pastures are your companions on this journey. Visit a local market as part of the itinerary in order to discover new fruits, tubers and vegetables from the Inter-Andean region. Dare to taste on the way up a guinea pig that is roasted above hot charcoal, this meat is considered a delicacy to people who are living in the rural areas. Finally find the mystical lagoon of the gods.

Inclusions: An English-speaking Certified Naturalist Guide-Chauffeur, Transportation Quito - Quilotoa - Quito, Admission to Quilotoa reserve

Exclusions: Travel insurance, Tips, Mule back riding $10 USD per person

Reviewed By valeriavH3917KD

This day was incredible to look many mountains from the highest part of the visit. The tour guide made the trip a lot of fun. I enjoyed every thing we did. 100% recommended.

3. Full Day Cotopaxi & The Chuquiragua Trail

GUIDEcuador Travel
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Unique Andean views a long the way to Cotopaxi Park Best chance to experience the Andes not far from Quito Hiking admiring the Andes Visit to an Hacienda with more the 3 Centuries of History

Inclusions: Private transportation, Certified English Speaking Tour Guide , Park Admission Fee , Saquisili Indian Market Visit ( ONLY ON THURSDAYS)

Exclusions: Gratuities, Lunch, Personal Expenses

Reviewed By SunriseFitness

I highly recommend this tour! It’s active but not strenuous, covers a lot, and Alex was friendly and knowledgeable throughout. It felt nice to have a blend of parks and the city, stopping along the way for photos, explanations and history, sweeping city views and gelato on a balcony.

4. Cotopaxi National Park Shared Day Trip

Nu House Boutique Hotel, Reina Victoria, Quito 170143, Ecuador Ecuador Best Tours
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5.0 based on 16 reviews

Don't waste time waiting for large groups of visitors, protect your family and avoid unnecessary crowds. Visit the second highest active volcano of the world, and enjoy the majesty of one of the most beautiful mountains in the planet, from the comfort of a shared and flexible tour with very few participants! Enjoy the company of a local expert, and learn that altitud is not as bad as people describes it. Take personal challenges, and live a real and an unforgettable life experience!!

Inclusions: Private transportation, Certified naturalist english speaking guide, All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Drinks, Meals

Reviewed By JeannePlantation

I had only one afternoon in Quito to sightsee. I contacted Ecuador's Best Tour with late notice by email and Luis replied right away. Luis has a great laid back, no worries attitude and assured me he would take care of everything and pick me up at my hotel. He arrived early to pick me up. I was thrilled to visit the beautiful Church la Compania. Luis was very knowledgeable about the history of the church and architecture. Next we visited a beautiful view of the city with the statue Virgin of El Panecillo. I only had a few hours to visit and Ecuador's Best Tours really helped me make the most of my visit. I highly recommend booking this with this company and you will be lucky if Luis is your guide. His English is extraordinary and he's just a pleasant guide to be around. I have toured many places around the would and I would say Luis was one of the best guides I have encountered. I got some great photos from my visit and hope to return someday. I would certainly use Ecuador's Best Tours again.

5. Cotopaxi National Park Tour: Hiking and Downhill Bike All Inclusive

Mariscal Foch 648, Quito 170143, Ecuador El Barak Ecuador Travel
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

- All Inclusive: Breakfast, Lunch, Professional Bilingual Guide - Bicycle and Helmet included only in Private tour - Tourist Transportation from Quito - Cotopaxi - Quito - Hiking and biking on the same tour. - Visit Refugio Jose Rivas 4897 meters - Visit Glaciers of the Volcano 5000 meters - Visit and tour to the Limpiopungo Lagoon - Professionalism and Quality of Service

Inclusions: Bilingual Professional Guide, Tourist transport, Breakfast, Lunch

Exclusions: Gratuities, Personal expenses, Use of bicycle

Reviewed By seanb936

Great tour overall. It is shopping intensive and great for those looking to buy a lot of local and leather goods. Our guide was great and gave us plenty of time at each stop. The tour does have quite a bit of time on the road but the views are lovely. The lagoon was quite popular and a great place to take pictures. I would do this tour again if I was with someone who liked to shop for local handicrafts, leather goods, and unique gift items.

6. Quilotoa Crater Lake Private Day Tour

Ecuador Best Tours
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5.0 based on 7 reviews

Don't waste time waiting for large group-tours, protect your family and avoid unnecessary crowds! Stop anywhere you want during your journey and make great pictures with unforgettable landscapes!! On this private cultural full day excursion have the opportunity to visit a local indian market, where you will see different cultural interactions, and very varied local products. Do a very nice downhill hike into a charming volcanic crater and enjoy a real lifetime experience!! Make your stay in Quito an unforgettable adventure with us!!

Inclusions: Private transportation, Certified English speaking guide, Mentioned itinerary and visits, Lunch, All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Drinks, Mules or horses ride

Reviewed By JeannePlantation

I had only one afternoon in Quito to sightsee. I contacted Ecuador's Best Tour with late notice by email and Luis replied right away. Luis has a great laid back, no worries attitude and assured me he would take care of everything and pick me up at my hotel. He arrived early to pick me up. I was thrilled to visit the beautiful Church la Compania. Luis was very knowledgeable about the history of the church and architecture. Next we visited a beautiful view of the city with the statue Virgin of El Panecillo. I only had a few hours to visit and Ecuador's Best Tours really helped me make the most of my visit. I highly recommend booking this with this company and you will be lucky if Luis is your guide. His English is extraordinary and he's just a pleasant guide to be around. I have toured many places around the would and I would say Luis was one of the best guides I have encountered. I got some great photos from my visit and hope to return someday. I would certainly use Ecuador's Best Tours again.

7. Explore the Ecuadorian Andes & Amazon in 6 Days | From Quito

Live Ecuador Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Enjoy and Live Ecuador in its maximum splendor, our 6-day private tour will allow you to know the most beautiful sites of Ecuadorian geography: Papallacta hot springs, famous hot springs well known for their healing properties. Suchipakari Ecuadorian Jungle Lodge located in the middle of the jungle just 20 minutes from Puerto Misahuallí, here you will perform some activities such as hiking, navigation on the Napo River among others. Baños de Agua Santa, you can visit the famous waterfall route, the Pailon del Diablo and the famous Tree House where the swing of the end of the world is. Quilotoa Lagoon where you will marvel at its beautiful turquoise waters in the middle of the Andean moorland. Cotopaxi National Park, here you can choose between 2 activities: Horseback riding around the active volcano or Hiking to the refuge "José Rivas", 4864 meters above sea level. The tour ends in the city of Quito, the drop off point can be coordinated during your trip with the guide.

Inclusions: Comfortable Accommodation with private bathroom & hot shower, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Equipment (Rain Boots, Life Jacket in the Jungle), Professional Guide/Driver (Spanish & English), Private Transport during all the program, These vehicles are maintained to a high standard and are fully equipped with first aid kits, fire extinguishers and emergency tools., Landing and facility fees

Exclusions: International flights, airport taxes, Transfer from Quito Airport to Quito Hotel: $25 USD | (One Way), Personal travel & health insurance, Quito´s Hotel Accommodation (Ask for our special rates), Does not include supplement for single room.

Reviewed By Janiesface

Our tour guide was terrible! He would take us to each activity and then be on his phone the whole time! Hardly interacted with us. I would totally give his name to warn others but he never even introduced himself. The activities were pretty cool, but we didn't do three of them. I feel very ripped off! One of them was due to rain, that's fine. The other things were supposed to happen at the indigenous community and just didn't happen. When we asked our tour guide he acted like he didn't know. That whole part of the tour was not impressive at all, they did not seem enthusiastic to be there. I really wish I could file a compliment about our tour guide, he should not have a job like that! And I hope to get some money back too since we didn't get to do all the activities that was on the itinerary.

8. Quilotoa Laguna Daytour

CarpeDM Adventures, José de Antepara, Quito 170136, Ecuador CarpeDM Adventures
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5.0 based on 16 reviews

This full day cultural tour begins with a visit to local indigenous market at either Saquisilli (Thursdays only) or Pujili (Sundays only).  The drive to Laguna Quilotoa – an amazing emerald lagoon inside a volcano crater at the height of approximatetly 3,800 m – displays a beautiful view of the Andean mountains, passing the ancient canyon of Zumbahua and many indigenous towns and farmlands.  The trip through the villages of the area provide a fantastic chance to see one of the most authentic parts of the country. Before lunch we visit a local indigenous home where you have the opportunity to interact with the locals. Prepare yourself for a taste of cultural and hiking.

Inclusions: What’s Included:, Transport, Guide, Lunch

Exclusions: What’s Not Included:, Additional Snacks / Beverages, TIPS, Breakfast

Reviewed By RichardA4235

Could not recommend more highly! We were in Quito and did a day trip to Mindo. Our guide, Alex, was amazing. He was a wealth of information and went far out of his way to show us everything we wanted to see. We zip-lined, went to the butterfly museum, did a chocolate tasting and learned how cocoa beans become chocolate. We also did a cable and hike to a waterfall. We really wanted to hit the equator museum on the way back and Alex made sure we got there -- we were running behind and he called to make sure they would stay open for us. Along the way, he gave us a great sense about Ecuador. Alex even helped us order pizza on the way home . He said that "no" was not in his vocabulary and that turned out to be true. The whole operation was so easy -- they even took us to the airport on our way out. The bus was comfortable, the driver safe, and it was just overall a fabulous trip -- our favorite activity in Quito. Thank you Alex and CarpeDM!

9. Cotopaxi & Quilotoa All in One - 1 Day - Private Tour

Real Dreams Tour Operador
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Two most beautiful and spectacular places in a single day! Quilotoa Lagoon and Cotopaxi Volcano in the Avenue of the Volcanoes in one day and at an incredible price. Everything included!

Inclusions: Private transportation, Lunch

Exclusions:

Reviewed By Ygor L

I had a great experience with the Quilotoa tour! Mainly due our amazing guide Pedro in Quito! He was just incredible! He knew pretty much everything about the history, culture and people of Ecuador! My friend made lots of questions and he answered all of them with minimum details and with a perfect English!!! Pedro was so patient with us, he didn’t rush us at all, he made lots of stops so we could take pictures, and of course, every stop he gave us lots of information about the place! Just what we look for on a guide! We now want to go for other tours and will make sure we’ll have him as our guide again! It was a great experience and it was worth every penny! Thank you again Pedro!

10. Baños full day tour from Quito including all entrances and activities

Quito Tour Bus
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

In just one day you will visit the main attractions of Baños, you will be able to see the Devil´s Cuadrol waterfall, the swing at the end of the world and the amazing viewpoint of the Amazon. You will travel safely with expert guides who will let you know all the attractions like a local and will take you to try the best typical food in the area. It is an adventure tour with a lot of nature and outdoor activities

Inclusions: Confirtable tourist transportation, Bilingual guide (English and Spanish), Casa del árbol entrance, Devil´s Cauldron waterfall entrance

Exclusions: Tips, Details not specified, Food and drinks, Extreme activities

Reviewed By Don J

My wife and I were fortunate to be able to take a private tour while in Quito during COVID lockdown. Our itinerary included The Museo de Sitio Intinan, the Casa de Agave distillery and museum, lunch at Panorama, and a drive through the Quito Historico Centro and up to the Mirador de Panecillo. Our tour guide, Diana, was exceptional. She had a great command of the English language, was very personable, and very knowledgeable about every place we visited throughout the day. She went above and beyond to make the day a very personal and special one for us, including taking pictures of us and for us throughout the day. Our driver, Carlos, was also wonderful. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Quito!

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