Mirador Shalala
Mirador Shalala
4.5
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2 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
116 reviews
Excellent
93
Very good
17
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Gilda G
6 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Shalala was a beautifully built center and trails to enjoy the Quilotoa volcano lake. The trails were nicely done, the area was easy to explore and more nature oriented than the Quilotoa lake village. If you are not used to high altitud, you need to go slow and take breaks. Also you can ask for suggestions that help with altitud. It was worth the extra drive. The road was not paved in areas.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
meliDyr
Byron, IL87 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
While this is a popular destination for hikers, it's also a great experience for families too! Just know that getting back up is steep and hard. My husband wore our 18 month old son on his back and really struggled getting up. You can thankfully rent a horse to take you back up. This is more difficult with children, and if you are heavier they may not let you take a horse. They had to debate whether or not I was too heavy to ride one (total self-esteem booster, haha). My husband made it about 1/3 of the way back up when one of the horse guides offered him a ride up (with kiddo on his back). They charge $10 normally, but charged me $15. I was fine with that, mostly because I felt bad that the horses have to do so much work. They say the horses only go up the path twice a day. That being said, the view here is absolutely stunning. The water is so blue! You can pay to go kayaking once you make it down to the lake too. A couple of things to keep in mind: Dress for cool weather, bring water and a snack to keep your energy up, wear shoes with good traction, and know your limits... The altitude here is higher than say, Quito. All in all, a beautiful experience.
Written August 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julian L
151 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
The views are amazing and it is well worth a visit from Quito.
We visited from Quito, very easily and cheaply, on our own - no tour. Bus from Quitumbre to Latacunga, then bus from Latacunga to Chugchilan. Stay at Cloud Forest Hostel overnight then walk the 11km track from Chugchilan to Quilotoa. Fantastic walk through the country and small towns - and quite tough because of the altitude! If you leave early enough you can catch the bus from Quilotoa back to Latacunga at 12pm/1pm or you can stay overnight in one of the numerous hostels and do the rim walk the next day then take the bus back to Latacunga.
We visited from Quito, very easily and cheaply, on our own - no tour. Bus from Quitumbre to Latacunga, then bus from Latacunga to Chugchilan. Stay at Cloud Forest Hostel overnight then walk the 11km track from Chugchilan to Quilotoa. Fantastic walk through the country and small towns - and quite tough because of the altitude! If you leave early enough you can catch the bus from Quilotoa back to Latacunga at 12pm/1pm or you can stay overnight in one of the numerous hostels and do the rim walk the next day then take the bus back to Latacunga.
Written February 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JN Travels
Ontario, Canada584 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
The town of Quilotoa, we thought was very touristy. Lots of over priced hotels/hostels, restaurants and gift shops.
The crater lake itself is stunning. The hike around the rim will take you about 4-5hrs. Or you can hike to the lake and rent a kayak or horse.
Many people were having breathing issues from the altitude. So be cautious.
We had a lovely picnic just off the trail. Beautiful spot. Great energy.
Bring your passport as they ask you to register before hiking.
The public bus back to Latacunga ends at 5:30pm so keep that in mind for your day trip. A direct bus will cost $2 per person one way. And depending on how many times the bus stops to pick people up the trip can take 2-3 hours.
The crater lake itself is stunning. The hike around the rim will take you about 4-5hrs. Or you can hike to the lake and rent a kayak or horse.
Many people were having breathing issues from the altitude. So be cautious.
We had a lovely picnic just off the trail. Beautiful spot. Great energy.
Bring your passport as they ask you to register before hiking.
The public bus back to Latacunga ends at 5:30pm so keep that in mind for your day trip. A direct bus will cost $2 per person one way. And depending on how many times the bus stops to pick people up the trip can take 2-3 hours.
Written May 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sporty1823
Cedar Rapids, IA351 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Definitely worth visiting, there are no bad views of this crater lake, it is beautiful all around. This is a good place to watch sunrise if it is a clear morning (wasn't for us, but still beautiful). Also the option to hike down to the bottom. There is an option to hire a mule for the hike back up which I was very glad I did!.
Written February 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ABM817
Panama City, Panama22 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
Beautiful place overlooking the Quilotoa Lake. Its a 10 min hike to the "mirador"; which is a beautiful wooden platform.
From there you can hike down to the lake.
From there you can hike down to the lake.
Written September 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JulienMaidenhead
Maidenhead, UK20 contributions
Dec 2015 • Family
We visited taking a detour from quito to baños, well worth a few hours drive. Carefull the altitude if you come from sea level though,3900 meters can be exhausting
Written December 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donata160
Mazeikiai, Lithuania24 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Besides trying to go there on a clear and sunny day, I would also recommend observing Quilotoa not from the main viewpoint where everybody goes (sorry, but don't remember the name of the community that runs it) and which offers a donkey ride back from the lake to the top, but rather from the viewpoint run by the community of Shalala. The road to reach this viewpoint is definitely less developed (however, on the way you can see few small villages with its men and especially women wearing traditional clothes and going about their day), but the view is definitely worth it. The place is more secluded, looks more natural and organic than the first (popular) one. I don't know what happened, as the Shalala viewpoint was featured in almost every promotional video of tourism in Ecuador, but now the place looks pretty abandoned. Apparently there is an information centre, restaurant and a hotel run by the community, but everything was closed. We went there on a Tuesday at about 11 am and there was not a soul to greet and give us some kind of a tour. There were no tourists either, which was actually great :) Only when we got back into our car and were about to leave few men came running towards us and started nocking on the windows demanding that we pay them $3 each for all the services we enjoyed...
The place is amazingly beautiful and I would recommend visiting it. The fact that there was no one, made the whole experience only better.
The place is amazingly beautiful and I would recommend visiting it. The fact that there was no one, made the whole experience only better.
Written August 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PJRibadeneira
Cumbaya, Ecuador646 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
Even if you're not a hiking expert or crazy about nature, this trip to the Quilotoa volcano is completely worth the effort and the 3 hour trip from Quito.
If you have a free day during a visit to Quito, pack a warm jacket and plan a visit to this place. Privately run (the community doesn't receive a dime from the government), Mirador Shalala allows you to enjoy the views of the volcano crater and the lagoon from the top. Their facilities (restaurant, cabins and bathrooms) are spotless so you can have a great experience.
When driving to Quito, head south to Latacunga (1.5 hours), then head to Pujilí (15 minutes) and then to Zumbahua. External signage is very well placed. You will not get lost!
If you have a free day during a visit to Quito, pack a warm jacket and plan a visit to this place. Privately run (the community doesn't receive a dime from the government), Mirador Shalala allows you to enjoy the views of the volcano crater and the lagoon from the top. Their facilities (restaurant, cabins and bathrooms) are spotless so you can have a great experience.
When driving to Quito, head south to Latacunga (1.5 hours), then head to Pujilí (15 minutes) and then to Zumbahua. External signage is very well placed. You will not get lost!
Written December 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nick T
Grand Cayman37 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
We drove up with family up gravel road to get there.
As pretty as it gets! The locals were very nice to us.
There is also a lodge but it's hard to find a phone number, and when we tried to book a room, booking.com suggested there was no availability, so we were very surprised on arrival that the place was empty. I now have a card so that we can return and try to reserve directly. It is community run, but not apparently managed at all. Sad to see how such a nice place could be successful if there is zero marketing done and little way of knowing if there will be availability. Everything appears to be brand new.
As pretty as it gets! The locals were very nice to us.
There is also a lodge but it's hard to find a phone number, and when we tried to book a room, booking.com suggested there was no availability, so we were very surprised on arrival that the place was empty. I now have a card so that we can return and try to reserve directly. It is community run, but not apparently managed at all. Sad to see how such a nice place could be successful if there is zero marketing done and little way of knowing if there will be availability. Everything appears to be brand new.
Written October 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the Shalala Lodge still open to stay in? I can’t find any up to date info.
Written March 18, 2019
Yes, it is open. Spent last night there, and had dinner and breakfast at the restaurant.
A bit cold in the room but the site is great.
The mirador is fantastic.
Written August 4, 2019
¿Cuál es el horario de visita al parque? ¿esta abierto todos los días?
Si vamos en coche alquilado, ¿ dónde se puede dejar ?
Written January 6, 2019
El horario de visitas va desde las 10h00 a 16h00 y si se hospedan allí se extiende el horario. Se puede visitar cualquier día. El sitio tiene parqueadero propio.
Written January 7, 2019
I will be in Mindo for four days starting tomorrow I have been told that this crater and quilotoa is a must see, but I am wondering how best to get there, are there any public transportation options or should I try to book a taxi th ere and back?
Written November 18, 2017
Voy con un grupo de 12 personas el próximo año y me preocupa que el mirador este cerrado en un miércoles y no haya donde comer. Recomiendan mejor llevar un pic nic o hay comida de venta?
Written September 22, 2017
hay un nuevo restaurante en el alojamiento operado por la gente local. Sólo abre ciertas horas. Esa es la mejor apuesta que tienes para comidas decentes.
Written September 22, 2017
viajo en abril a ecuador, quiero visitar esta laguna. Es recomendable hospedarse en quilotoa?
Written February 23, 2017
Does anyone know what is the nearest bigger town to Quilotoa , and how long does it take from Quito to Quilotoa , also are there nice stops to rest or is it a long shot until you get there ? Sorry for all the questions, thx a bunch
Written July 22, 2016
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