Hikes & tours
In a small region you have paramo highlands (4000 m.), Andean farmland (we are at 2950 m.) and the lower (and warmer) river bed of the Toachi (2600 m.), so you can experience three different climate zones within a few hours walking distance.
In Llullu Llama we have a book with free maps and descriptions of day hikes and we can also organise complete trekkings from one day up to 5 days, around the Quilotoa Loop, with an English speaking guide, all accommodation and food (www.tributrek.com). You can also hike into Isinlivi in different ways. Please read our hiking advise below, before you set off.
We also offer horse riding tours! $30,00 for a long trip (09:00 – 14:30) or $20,00 for a 3 hour ride (09:00 – 12:00). Contact us for more information!
Hiking to Hostal Llullu Llama in Isinliví
The small town of Isinliví is a great place for hiking. One nice possibility is to hike in, spend a night or two for day hikes or resting, and then hike on, or take a bus out direct to Latacunga. If you have lots of luggage you can leave this in Latacunga (www.hostaltiana.com) or we can help you private transport or a horse to carry your luggage. Please let us know when you want like to hike to Isinlivi from Chugchilan or Sigchos so we can send you a hikin description. If you are on the bus Vivero, coming from Latacunga you can also ask the driver to drop you at Guingopana Pass, from here it is a beautiful 3 hour downhill hike to Isinlivi.
Cross the bridge and follow the main trail winding up all the way into Isinlivi. Ignore the
The Quilotoa Loop:
Isinlivi is a good place to start or pass if you want to do the ‘Quilotoa Loop’, that takes a couple of days, and takes you along the spectacular Toachi Canyon. There are two possibilities:
One possibility is to start this hike at the Quilotoa crater lake at 4000. m. and descend – three or four days:
Day one:
You take a bus from Latacunga to the indigenous town of Zumbahua, any bus to the coast stops there, every hour there are buses leaving that direction. On Saturday you can visit the market in Zumbahua. From here you take a pick-up truck to Quilotoa Lake and hike down to Chugchilan (you can also stay 1 night in Quilotoa but keep in mind it is cold uo there!). You hike down from the crater rim to the Toachi canyon through the town of Guayama, and up again to Chugchilan, where there are two hostals where you can stay, Cloud Forest Hostal, Mama Hilda (4-6 hours hiking).
Day two:
All hostals can help you find a fresh guide or horse, or you ask us for the hiking description and hike from Chugchilan to Isinlivi. (4-6 hours hiking).
Day three:
We can provide you with a hiking description for the last part from Isinlivi to Sigchos. You cross the Toachi once more, further downstream. You can also follow the road to Sigchos, not many cars here. Every day there are buses out of there to Latacunga at 14.30, some days more then one.
The second possibility is to start in Isinlivi and climb up to Quilotoa (you climb 1000m)- three days
Day one:
You take the Vivero bus to Isinlivi over the pass and from there walk down into town Instructions in the section ‘Transport to Isinliví’ at our “contact information” page.
Day two:
You walk from Isinlivi to Chugchilán. We are happy to give you hiking directions and/or arrange a horse for your luggage.
Day three:
You walk from Chugchilán to Quilotoa. At the hostals in Chugchilan they provide their guests with information on how to hike, and/or can provide horses. From Quilotoa you take a pick up truck to Zumbahua, and from there buses leave to the coast or Latacunga every hour.
If you want someone to organise these trekkings for you, please contact our touroperator TribuTrek.
You might enjoy the trail more if you stay over in Isinlivi for an extra night and do a short day hike and/or rest. Especially if you are not well trained or not (yet) adjusted to the altitude this might be a good idea. Why rush and exhaust yourself in one of the most beautiful landscapes of the world if you don’t have to?
Hikers advise:
Some people who are not from this region don’t know exactly how to deal with locals, especially if they ask for money, ‘caramelos’ (candy) or ‘regalos’ (gifts). You probably will meet local people when you are hiking around. These people obviously have less money then most western travellers. Our experience is that handing out change, pens, or candies to kids or grown ups along the way is not a very wise thing to connect to these people, or to help them. Giving out of guilt or pity is a lose-lose situation, giving out of respect and friendship is a win-win.
Some thoughts and our experience:
- People in this area do appreciate a smile, a handshake, a short chat about ‘where are you from’ or ‘where do you go to’. Taking your time for that also is a small gift.
- If people get used to begging, it will make them even more depending and pitiful.
- In some areas kids are kept from school to beg, it’s more rewarding.
- If you give to one individual, another one might get jealous.
- If you give a kid a dollar and the next tourist doesn’t, this tourist might be treated badly, since you taught the kid to expect foreigners to give with no reason.
- If someone offers to walk along for free, don’t press him or her to take money, but share your food, or go have a drink together.
- If people ask money for taking pictures don’t take them, or sometimes instead you can promise to send the picture.
- If you promise people to send pictures, note their address and their name and keep your promise.
- If you really do want to do something for the poor or for the community ask us for suggestions. A donation to the schools, communal projects or health clinic will do good for everyone in the community.
- Another question is what to do with your garbage. You will see empty plastic bags, wrappers and other garbage everywhere. Your one wrapper won’t make the difference, but a good example might help! We will be happy to bring your plastics to the city dump, and to feed our pigs or dogs with your food scraps.