Getting around the Quilotoa Loop

Transportation

By Caroline Bennett

Though transport can be a bit tricky, getting around the loop via public transport is doable with a little patience, planning, and some very early morning rises. The destinations more than make up for the arduous journeys, and the scenery is stunning by golden dawn light.

Many choose to travel the loop in a circle, walking, busing, horsing, or biking from village to village in either direction, and staying in a different place each night. Another option is to base yourself in either Chugchilan or Tigua, where accommodation options are considerably more pleasant and buses can take you back to Latacunga when you’ve finished exploring the area.

Buses from Latacunga leave for Chugchilán via Sigchos (stopping in Saquisilí around noon, then in Sigchos for about 15 minutes around 2:00 pm) on the northern route at 11:30 am daily, and for Chugchilán via Zumbahua (passing through at about 1:30 pm) on the southern end at 12:00 pm. Either journey takes about 4 hours.

Buses returning from Chugchilán to Latacunga leave early and pass through towns on their respective routes along the way. In general, buses headed to Latacunga via Sigchos leave around 3 am everyday, with several additional times later in the week. Buses taking the southern route from Chugchilán leave daily at 4 am, with several additional departures later in the week and on market day.

General bus transportation from Chugchilán is as follows; see specific town information for further information on getting to and away from other towns along the loop.

Mon: Chugchílan to Latacunga via Sigchos 3 am

Chugchílan to Latacunga via Zimbahua 4 am

Tues: Chugchílan to Latacunga via Sigchos 3 am

Chugchílan to Latacunga via Zimbahua 4 am

Weds: Chugchílan to Latacunga via Sigchos 3 am

Chugchílan to Latacunga via Zimbahua 4 am

Chugchílan to Zimbahua / La Mana 5 am

Thurs: Chugchílan to Latacunga via Sigchos 3 am

Chugchílan to Latacunga via Zimbahua 4 am

Fri: Chugchílan to Latacunga via Sigchos 3 am

Chugchílan to Latacunga via Zimbahua 4 am

Chugchílan to Zimbahua / La Mana 6 am

Sat: Chugchílan to Latacunga via Sigchos 3 am

Chugchílan to Latacunga via Zimbahua 3 am

Chugchílan to Zimbahua / La Mana 4 am

Sun: Chugchílan to Latacunga via Sigchos 4 am, 4:30 am, 5:30 am, 12 pm Chugchílan to Latacunga via Zimbahua 6 am, 9 am, 10 am, 2 pm

*During the school year (Sept-June) there is a daily bus from Chugchilán to Sigchos departing at 5:30 am (you can change in Sigchos for the 7 am bus to Latacunga); note that the bus doesn’t run when there are no classes, so ask around.

*Buses leave from Zumbahua headed to Latacunga every 30 minutes during the day.

*Buses leave from Sigchos headed to Latacunga and Quito in the afternoon. Monday through Saturday there is also a milk truck that makes the journey from Chugchilán to Sigchos, from where you can then take an afternoon bus to Latacunga. The truck usually passes through town around 9 am, though this can very so ask the locals to be sure.

If you get stuck or aren’t eager to brave the early mornings, you can hire a private pickup from any of the towns with hostels. Private transport from Chugchilán to Quilotoa is $25 for up to 5 people; $30 to Zumbahua or Sigchos for up to 5; and $60 all the way back to Latacunga.