The Quilotoa loop ranks with some of the most beautiful treks on the planet. The combination of incredible scenery, varied terrain, and affordable hostels to stay at along the way, make this a must do trek when visiting Ecuador. Check out my 10 tips for hiking the Quilotoa Loop with kids.
1) Be Prepared for the altitude
The villages on the Quilotoa loop sit at altitudes of around 2,800-3,800 meters (9,000-12,800 feet). At this elevation, many people experience symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, and trouble breathing with exertion. These symptoms can be especially difficult on children. Take this into account as your plan your trek. You can begin your trek in Sigchos and slowly gain altitude, or you can begin in Quilotoa, and quickly lose altitude along the journey. We chose to start in Quilotoa and started hiking within 12 hours of arrival to avoid the worst syptoms.
2) It’s freezing…and hot!
The weather is something that took me by surprise. We experienced freezing temperatures in the evening at Quilotoa and then had warm sunny days along the trail. We also had some strong and gusty winds when hiking near the crater. It rained one day, leaving us soggy at the end of a particularly difficult stretch. So, bring layers and be prepared for cold, heat, wind and rain!
3) This terrain is no joke! Get in shape now-and Pack Light!
This is a difficult hike. I’m not going to sugar coat it. Combine the altitude, the weather, and the difficult terrain, and this hike will challenge you! Eleven to twelve kilometers a day is not a lot, but with the steepness of the trail, we spent 6-8 hours covering that much ground each day (in case you didn’t do the math, we averaged about 1 mile per hour).
The Chugchilan to Quilotoa sections involves the hardest and steepest climbs, but every day of the trek includes a lot of steep ascents and descents. There are some welcome flat(ish) sections to give you a break, especially from Chugchilan to Isinlivi. This section also involves some major muddy sections (we travelled during the wet season) where you have to pick your way across mud filled trenches, as well as some rockslide areas, that have never been repaired.
We travelled with 2 twelve-year-old boys who did great, as long as we took frequent breaks and had plenty of snacks. I would recommend this hike to ages 12+, or ages 10+ if your kids are particularly athletic and adventurous.
Keep your packs light and only bring the clothes, food and water you need for each day.
4) You will get lost! This is not an easy-to-follow trail.
We downloaded the map for this trail from two different apps. We checked in constantly to make sure we were staying on the path. But a few times, we still managed to miss our turn, or stray from the right trail. Because we were checking frequently, these detours were always minor. So, download the map and check it constantly! There are a few trail markings and signs scattered along the trail, but there are also areas where you are on the roads, or trekking through a field, or overgrow paths. Here is a helpful map of the route from: https://routes.maps.me/webeditor/en/view/9d382612-1e79-40aa-8444-26cd01d668f2/
5) Research the hostels in advance.
There are incredible hostels along this route. You will pay $15-25 per person and most include a 2-3 course dinner and a filling breakfast. Our breakfasts always included yogurts, fruit, granola, eggs, bread, tea/coffee and juice. Some hostels have a spa included for the price or a small additional fee. All the hostels we stayed in had good Wi-Fi so we could update our social media with our beautiful pictures from each day. They were also simple rooms, with basic beds and bathrooms, and had plenty of warm covers for the cold nights. Some hostels have wood burning stoves in the room and they will start a fire for you each evening. I was very impressed! We chose these hostels based on their reviews and locations:
Hostel Chukirawa, while in Quilotoa https://hostal-chukirawa-quilotoa.booked.net/,
Hostel El Vaquero, while in Chugchilan https://www.booking.com/hotel/ec/hostal-el-vaquero.html
Llullu Llama Mountain Lodge, while in Isinlivi Llullu Llama – Eco-friendly Andean lodge in Isinliví, Ecuador
6) Buy the packed lunch from the hostel
Most hostels offer a large packed lunch for an additional fee ($3-6). There are very limited places to get food along the trail, and these lunches are huge and filling and I definitely recommend them. Our lunch from Hostel El Vaquero ($3) included a cheese sandwich, fresh popcorn, a chocolate bar, a juice box, chips and an apple. We did find a few random shops along the trail where we purchased popsicles and cookies, but the selection is very limited, and the stores are sometimes not open when you pass by.
7) Ecuador is right on the equator…so wear sunscreen!
The sun here is powerful and will burn your skin. You must wear sunscreen every day and reapply often. Seriously, we had some major sunburns on our faces and necks, which are especially uncomfortable when trying to sleep with the scratchy wool blankets that are provided by some hostels.
8) Bring trekking poles…pretty please??
Many people don’t like the idea of traveling with and using trekking poles. Please reconsider. Trekking poles were necessary for navigating the super steep downhills without falling or twisting an ankle. They helped with stream crossings and navigating through mud bogs. You can use them to scare away dogs (or cows or donkeys) that come too close. They save your legs when slogging up the never-ending up hills. I promise, they will save you from injury on this trek. Seriously….please bring them!
9) Bring Cash
Credit cards are not accepted anywhere along the trail. The only exception we found was at one hostel that charged a 5% fee for using a card. So, bring enough cash to get you through the entire journey. $100 per person should be enough for 3 nights lodging, food, and bus or taxi transportation back to the city when you are done.
10) Be Prepared for Beauty, every step of the way!
This hike will test you physically and mentally, but every difficult step is totally worth it, when you witness the gorgeous scenery, meet the kind people, and enjoy the beauty of this region of Ecuador. We were constantly looking around and thinking, is this place even real? The Quilotoa crater is so incredible and is truly the highlight of the trek, but the other scenery will also leave you breathless!
Good luck on your trek! Ihope you enjoyed my 10 tips for hiking the Quilotoa loop with kids! Check out some of our other adventures:
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