Stage 1 of the Quilotoa Loop covers 9.7 km from Sigchos to Isinliví, with 598 m of ascent and 522 m of descent. The highest point is 2,940 m. Allow about 4 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Family hostal on the trail in the village centre with dorms and rooms; breakfast is included and dinner is served on request. Cash only; its old website no longer loads, so call or book through a booking site.
Restored farmhouse lodge on the trail in Isinliví with dorms (from about US$21), semi-private and private rooms and cottages; dinner and breakfast are served and there is a small wellness area. Book ahead in the dry season.
Small hotel with a restaurant in the village, about 200 m from the trail; cash only. Only listed on OpenStreetMap (checked October 2025), with no phone found, so ask in Isinliví.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "listed in a map or guide listing" appear on OpenStreetMap, a booking site or a trail guide, but could not be confirmed on their own website. Most places are family guesthouses and lodges that include dinner and breakfast. Book ahead for weekends, holidays and July and August, and pay in US dollars in cash: there are no ATMs on the trail.
Emergency: call 911 (ECU 911: ambulance, police, fire). Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.