Driving Directions
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You do not need a four wheel drive to get here, even the smallest rent-a-cars make it,
but the road can be extremely rough. |
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We recommend that you download and print the PDF version of these directions. It's best to have a copy with you on the road.
General Notes
Black Sheep Inn is about 5 hours driving from Quito. It is best to leave in the morning
in order to insure great views along the way and to have enough time for photo breaks and
stretching your legs.
You do not need a four wheel drive to get here, even the smallest rent-a-cars make it, but
the road can be extremely rough. If you are driving a four wheel drive, pick-up truck
or a vehicle with higher clearance, you should have no problem.
Many streets, roads, and intersections are not marked. Therefore I describe clear
landmarks to look for as you drive. When I refer to bridges in the city, I am
ignoring pedestrian walkways that go over the road. It may be helpful if someone
]can be your navigator, and read to you as you are driving. I apologize if the
landmarks have changed or if some of the instructions are redundant.
From The Quito Airport -- Guayasamin Tunnel
You have two options from the airport. The first option is
Via Inter-Oceanica --> Guayasamin Tunnel --> Eastern Valley.
From the airport ask directions or follow the signs to head south on the street Amazonas.
This is a main street that passes a few banks. After a large park (La Carolina) on your
left, turn left on Republica and at the next intersection turn left again onto Eloy Alfaro.
At the next stop light turn right on Los Shyris. At the next stop light veer right following
the traffic circle, but stay left and immediately take the first exit left going down an underpass.
This will put you into the Guayasamin Tunnel in the via Inter-Oceanica going
towards Cumbaya and Tumbaco.
When you come out of the tunnel there is a 40¢ toll booth. Take the first exit
right and loop sharply around to the Nuevo Oriental heading south. This is a Quito
bypass and curves around behind the city. It will cross a large bridge and climb
up the other side. After crossing another bridge over a large road (this connects
to the 'El Trebol') continue straight and climb up on the Nuevo Oriental heading south.
The Nuevo Oriental goes up high on the eastern ridge above Quito. There is a pull
out on the right with a view over the Southern part of the city.
Continue on the Nuevo Oriental and follow a sign for 'Tambillo - Aloag - SUR'.
This is a fast new road, El Periferico, that stays high. There will be a traffic
light as the Pan American Highway merges in from the right. They are building an
overpass intersection here.
You are now on the way to Latacunga (see further
Quilotoa Loop directions).
From The Quito Airport -- El Trebol interchange
Alternate Route via the repaired 'El Trebol'
*This is now the quickest route.*
From the Quito airport ask directions or follow the signs to head south on the street Amazonas.
This is a main street that passes a few Banks, a large park (La Carolina) on your left and
Malls. At the J.W. Marriott, a big beige building on your left, turn left (east) on
Francisco de Orellana.
Continue on Orellana up a hill until you get to a traffic circle, turn right (south)
on 12 de Octubre. Pass another traffic circle, but continue on 12 de Octubre
past the Swiss Hotel and Radisson on the left. You will go under a bridge in the
middle lane, marked with a sign Oriental. This will curve under the bridge and go
to the left. Traffic will be merging in with you. Stay straight with the main
traffic flow past a large Hospital on your right and Rumiñahui Stadium on your
left. After the Hospital stay in the right lane. The road curves right and
leaves houses/apartments behind. You'll pass a Mobile Gas Station on your right.
The traffic pattern has changed at 'El Trebol'; it is now a large traffic circle combined
with and a clover leaf. Go until a bridge and clover leaf intersection, pass under
the bridge and turn right, which loops you around to the top of the same bridge, merge and
stay left following the road uphill. This is the first step out of Quito.
This road resembles a highway and climbs up. Pass under a bridge and get in the right
lane. Exit right before the next bridge. Sign says to Chillogallo. You are
now climbing on the Nuevo Oriental heading south. This is a Quito bypass. It goes
up high on the eastern ridge above Quito. There is a pull out on the right with a view
over the Southern part of the city.
Continue on the Nuevo Oriental and follow a sign for 'Tambillo - Aloag - SUR'. This is
a fast new road, El Periferico, that stays high. There will be a traffic light as the
Pan American Highway merges in from the right. They are building an overpass
intersection here.
You are now on the way to Latacunga (see
Quilotoa Loop directions below).
Heading South
Once out of Quito, you are on your way south to Latacunga.
The Black Sheep Inn is at the far end of the "Quilotoa Loop," so there
are two different ways you can go to get here. Both are beautiful and take
about four to five hours from Quito. You can choose the
Northern Route or the
Southern Route.
You should plan on driving in one way, and out the other. This way you can complete the
loop and enjoy the unique scenery in both directions. We recommend coming in via the
Northern Route and Sigchos, then when you depart you can see Laguna Quilotoa in the morning
when the weather is the best and continue on the rest of the loop.
Quilotoa Loop -- Northern Route
The Northern Route goes near Saquisilí and then through Toacazo and Sigchos to
Chugchilán. This route is slightly harder to find your way. You may need to
ask directions once or twice. People are very friendly, and if you ask the name of
the next town, they usually point you in the correct direction. Remember that many people
do not own vehicles, so they may not have an accurate sense of how long it takes to get somewhere
driving. Also many people have not traveled through the back-country to locations
such as Chugchilan.
After leaving Quito you will go through Aloag. All traffic goes to the right but
then you turn left by a gas station and right and continue south on the Pan American. Aloag is
the turn-off for traffic going down to Santo Domingo and the coast. Make sure you continue
south to Latacunga, not west towards Santo Domingo. Lasso is 33 kilometers south of Aloag.
You will pass through Machachi and there are a few gas stations. There is a good
restaurant called Café de la Vaca
on the left hand side of the highway shortly after Machachi.
It's a great place to stop for breakfast or lunch. South, after Café de la Vaca there
is a PanaVial toll booth (currently $1.00). Then you will climb over a mountain pass that has
lots of pine trees. There is a police check point just before you start coming back down off
the mountain pass. If it is clear, Cotopaxi is very close on your left, the Ilinizas Twin
Peaks on the right. Sometimes coming down this pass you can see the Avenue of the
Volcanoes: Tungurahua (smoking), Las Altars, Sangay (also smoking, but further away) and
Chimborazo to the right.
The road narrows and traffic slows down as you come into Lasso. This is about
1½ hours south of Quito. After crossing the railroad tracks, turn right across the street
from a P&S Gas Station (Petroleos y Servicios). If you pass a Terpel Gas Station on
your left, then you have gone too far. Lasso is your last chance to buy "SUPER"
- high octane gas. You can buy gasoline further in the Loop, but only "EXTRA"
- which is regular unleaded gas. Again, head west on a small paved street across from
the P&S Gas Station, this road passes a tall communications antenna and has several speed
bumps. Continue straight, crossing over a main road.
You are now on your way to Toacazo (toe-ah-CAH-so) on a new road.
Lasso to Toacazo takes about 15 minutes.
You will pass a few flower plantations (plastic covered greenhouses) and a hotel called La Quinta
Colorada on your left. Follow the road as it curves around, do not turn at any of the
intersections. There is a bypass being built around Toacazo that passes right by the
cemetery.
If it is Thursday and you want to go to to Saquisilí (pronounced sock-ee-see-LEE)
for the market before coming up to Chugchilán, then you will turn left on the main road
after the tall communications antenna. You should be on a paved road. You will
pass a gray sign with white and yellow letters on your right that says "SANTUARIO DE
CUICUNO". And then go down a steep hill and over a river.
The village is just a few kilometers away. NOTE: Our truck has been broken into once
while we were at the market, so be cautious.
When leaving Saquisilí Market return the same way and turn left at the
"SANTUARIO DE CUICUNO" sign. The road climbs steeply up to a beautiful old church on
your left, and turns right. Visit the Church if it is open and you have time.
Many people have been cured of sicknesses and disease there. The road is paved with
asphalt. In Toacazo they have changed the traffic pattern of the one square village.
You must turn right one block away from the main square on a one way street, at the next block
you are forced left, drive straight into the main square. Keep going straight one block
past the main square and turn left. They are building a by-pass around Toacazo.
There will be a gas station on your left in about a ¼km (closed). Keep going, you
are on your way to Sigchos. You can also ask in Toacazo for the road to Sigchos
(SIG-choe-z). Road work is widening this section of road.
TOACAZO TO SIGCHOS
Sigchos is about 1½ to 2 hours away. Toacazo to Plancha Loma is
very fast now on a new road, about 10 minutes.they are rebuilding the bridge. (There was
a long unmarked detour that was constantly changing to go around bridge construction, but now
the road seems to be finished!) After Plancha Loma you climb to a high pass and the road
is very good almost all the way to Sigchos, watch your speed for safety!!
The road begins to drop into a beautiful canyon. Continue on the main road staying left
at a hairpin turn at a large painted faded white rock. You will cross a small bridge over
a nice stream. The next community is called Las Manzanas. After
which, you will drop down into the Rio Toachi canyon and climb up the other side. About
half way up it will become cobbled again going through Yaló (yah-LOW). There is
a gas station on your left in Yaló. Last chance for gas. Keep going up to
Sigchos.
Sigchos now has street signs and even a few stop lights! As you come into Sigchos you
will be on road called "14 de Noviembre". After
passing the Municipio parking lot with some road equipment and paving stones, take the second
left onto "Eloy Alfaro". Continue straight through stop lights and about
6-8 intersections. The road becomes cobbled for about 1 kilometer and you are on your
way to Chugchilán on a dirt road. OR ask in Sigchos for the road
to Chugchilán (choog-chee-LAHN). This road stays high above the canyon, if you
are dropping down right away, turn back. We are just under an hour from Sigchos (24
kilometers). Our sign is on your right. Our driveway is steep, put on the 4-wheel
drive. If you do not have 4-wheel drive honk your horn at the bottom of the driveway
and we can help you get your luggage and car up.
WELCOME!
Quilotoa Loop -- Southern Route
Driving in through Zumbahua
After leaving Quito southward, you will go through Aloag. All traffic goes to
the right but then you turn left by a gas station and right and continue south on the
Pan American. Aloag is the turn-off for traffic going down to Santo Domingo and the
coast. Make sure you continue south to Latacunga, not west towards Santo Domingo.
Lasso is 33 kilometers south of Aloag. You will pass through Machachi and there are a
few gas stations. There is a good restaurant called Café de la Vaca on the left hand side of the highway shortly after
Machachi. ; It's a great place to stop for
breakfast or lunch. South, after Café de la Vaca there is a PanaVial toll
booth (currently $1.00). Then you will climb over a mountain pass that has lots of
pine trees. There is a police check point just before you start coming back down off
the mountain pass. If it is clear, Cotopaxi is very close on your left, the Ilinizas
Twin Peaks on the right. Sometimes coming down this pass you can see the Avenue of
the Volcanoes: Tungurahua (smoking), Las Altars, Sangay (also smoking, but further away)
and Chimborazo to the right.
The road narrows and traffic slows down as you come into Lasso. Continue on the Pan
American Highway south through Lasso to Latacunga (lah-tah-COON-gah), about 20 minutes.
Pass a military installation with a stop light. The first stop light is just north of
Latacunga, the next two lights are very close together, turn right (west) at the fourth
stop light. This is the Latacunga - Quevedo road.
If coming from the South of Ecuador -- (from Baños, Ambato, Riobamba,
Chimborazo or even Cuenca), come through Salcedo (on some maps it is called San Miguel) and
when you arrive in Latacunga on the Pan American Highway, take a left at a stop light (west)
after the Terminal Terrestre (Bus Station). This is the Latacunga - Quevedo road.
Latacunga is your last chance to buy "SUPER" - high octane gas. You can buy
gasoline further in the Loop, but only "EXTRA" - which is regular unleaded gas.
We always use EXTRA for our pick-up truck.
Go over the railroad tracks and continue straight. There is a traffic circle with a
statue of people making cement blocks in the middle, curve left. Pass an old church on
the right, continue towards Pujilí (pooh-hee-LEE) about 15 kilometers and fill up your gas
tank. Continue through Pujilí climbing as you leave. In Cuatro Esquinas, there are
4 bakeries. You will go up and up and up on a pretty good road!
Now you are heading towards Zumbahua (zoom-BAH-wah) about 1½ hours out of Pujilí
(65 kilometers). Tigua is about 10 km before Zumbahua and they have a small gallery
featuring Naïf Paintings. More paintings are also available at Laguna
Quilotoa. Right before the turn off into Zumbahua there are some small stands
selling drinks and food on your right. The turn off to Zumbahua, Quilotoa and
Chugchilán is just after these stands on your right. If you pass the
gas station, you have gone to far, you are on your way to Quevedo, turn back. You can fill your
gas tank, if you haven't already. The entrance road to Zumbahua has been widened.
Continue through the little village with the main square on your right, going
down and crossing a bridge over a river.
ZUMBAHUA TO QUILOTOA (key-low-TOE-ah)
Zumbahua to Quilotoa is 14 kilometers (about 25 minutes driving). After a few kilometers
along the paved road, you cross another stream and pass through a small community. The
road follows along the canyon's edge, turn right at the fork and then over another bridge.
There is a painted sign for Quilotoa at this junction. Follow the paved road. The
road climbs gradually to Quilopungo, a small school and walled in playground. Continue past
the Ponce turnoff on the right (also with an old painted sign for Cabanas Quilotoa), and up to
an archway indicating the entrance to Quilotoa on the right and the road to Chugchilán
(choog-chee-LAHN) to the left. It is worth stopping to see Laguna Quilotoa on the
way in, even if only for a few photos. Chugchilán is an hour away.
100 meters further on the road to Chugchilán is the Crater Lake Lodge (they have had an
administration change and we are unsure of the attention received), where there is the old
driveway on your right heading to the crater. There is a $2.00 entrance fee to
Laguna Quilotoa. All proceeds go to the local community to make improvements around
the crater.
Continue 22 kilometers (about an hour) to Chugchilán. The worst part of the
road is between Quilotoa and Chugchilán. Call us for current conditions.
There is cellular phone reception through the company 'Porta Cellular' along most of the loop.
We live a ½ kilometer down the main road past the village of Chugchilán (a
small plaza with a church and some buildings). Our sign and driveway will be on your
left. The driveway is steep, be sure to have the four wheel drive on. If you do not
have 4-wheel drive honk your horn at the bottom of the driveway and we can help you get
your luggage and car up.
Welcome!
