Latacunga, central Ecuador is the perfect place from where to explore Cotopaxi National Park, Quilotoa Loop, the many local markets, like Saquisili and more. As the main town of the Cotopaxi province, Latacunga has a very lively market, all days but bigger on Tuesday and Saturday.
Every year in September and November Latacunga hosts the famous Mama Negra festival. Colorfull parades, lot's of music and dance, it's worth a visit!
If you want we can help you organise your trips in the area, but we also help independent travelers with bus times, etc.
Local market days in the Cotopaxi province:
Monday: Guantualo.
Tuesday: Latacunga.
Wednesday: Pujilí.
Thursday: Saquisilí, Salcedo.
Saturday: Latacunga, Zumbahua.
Sunday: Sigchos, Chugchilán, Guangaje, Pujilí.
Cotopaxi National Park
You can visit the park on a daytour from Latacunga, do trekkings for 2 days or longer or of course climb the summit (5897m). To get into the Cotopaxi park you have to pay the entrance fee ($10,00 per person). From Latacunga it's about 40 minutes to the turn off at the Panamerica. From here it´s at least another hour to the parking lot at 4600m. From the parking lot you can hike to the hut at 4800m or to the glaciers if you're not out of breath yet.
Climbers sleep in the hut and will take off around 01.00 am to start the climb to the summit.
Officialy all foreign tourist have to enter the national park with a licenced guide and licenced tour operator from Ecuador.
If you like us to organise the tour for you please look here for more information or contact us.
Quilotoa Loop
One of the most beautiful areas in Ecuador and the only place where you can hike from hostel to hostel. You can do the loop in more than one way and there are many places to visit. If you have the time we recommend to take at least a few days to visit the area. Click here to see the map of the area.
- Tigua, small village on the main road to Zumbahua, famous for it's paintings. From here you can hike to the Quilotoa Lake. Stay at the lovely Posada de Tigua.
- Zumbahua, main village of the area, with very authentic Saturday market.
- Quilotoa, must see krater lake! You can hike around or hike from here to Chugchilan (6 hours) or to Isinlivi (8 hours). There a basic places to stay.
- Chugchilan, small andean village along the Toachi Canyon, many day hike possibilities, horse riding and 3 great hostels.
- Isinlivi, more off the beaten track, but it's a beautiful hike from Chugchilan or the other way around. You can also start the Quilotoa Loop here, the bus leaves at 13.00 from the terminal in Latacunga, only on Saturdays and Thursdays at 11.00 (Thursdays from Saquisili). You can stay at cosy Hostal Llullu Llama. www.llullullama.com.
- Sigchos, main village on the other side. From where there are more buses if you don't want to leave at 3.00 am... You can hike to Sigchos from Chugchilan or Isinlivi and take the afternoon bus at 14.30.
if you like we can book tours to the Quilotoa Loop for you, for more information look here or contact us.
For more information about travelling in the area please have a look at: www.tributrek.com.
