Lloa

Destino de Colores - Colorful destinations of Pichincha

• Colors are life and what Lloa has is pure life, like the intense green of the natural wonders of this blessed land. Located in the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve, pure air predominates in its lands, in a climate that, although cold, is really beautiful.
• Lloa, Aloasí,  Calacalí ,  Calderón ,  La Merced, Mindo ,  Machachi ,  Pacto ,  Pedro Vicente Maldonado,  Pintag ,  Pomasqui,  El Quinche are part of the  Destino de Colores campaign, they are a select group of rural destinations of Pichincha province that offer to tourists a variety of tourism experiences oriented to contact with nature and culture; as well as sustainable and community tourism experiences.
• Prefectura de Pichincha, through the Destino de Colores campaign, promotes the entrepreneurial spirit of Pichincha people

What should you know about Lloa?

• Lloa is part of Quito in Pichincha province.
• Lloa is located 30 minutes from Quito, between 1,800 and 4,675 meters above sea level. 
• The Sanctuary of the Virgin of El Cinto is located in Lloa, this is a natural viewpoint from where you can see the sharp peaks of the volcano route.
• In Lloa, you can visit trout farms, try the typical corn or go to the Alegría Fonseca Cultural Center, a 105-year-old house.
• The Urauco Waterfalls and Hot Springs Center is a popular relaxation spot, thanks to the medicinal properties of its waters.
• If you are interested in experiential tourism, visit the Concepción Monjas farm and participate in agricultural and livestock activities.
• There you can also go horseback riding, guided tours, paragliding and camping.

El Cinto Sanctuary

• Every Sunday in the month of September, the pilgrimage to El Cinto Sanctuary takes place from the Mena neighborhood along the road to Lloa.
• Hundreds of believers come to the site to venerate the Virgin painted on the stone whose miraculous origin is unknown but is attributed to Fray Pedro Bedón who was a Spanish painter of the Quito School of art who lived between 1551 and 1621.
• The first findings regarding religious tourism refer to almost a century of pilgrimage and each year the number of visitors increases.

Guagua Pichincha Volcano

• The biggest attraction of Lloa is the Guagua Pichincha volcano (at 4,784 masl), whose refuge is 40 minutes from the town if you go by 4x4 vehicle.
• With just three hours of walking (you will need mountaineering equipment) ​​you will be able to reach the craters and their fumaroles.
• From the refuge you can also walk to the caves where, according to popular belief, the Rumiñahui treasure is hidden.
• The Guagua Pichincha is part of the Pichincha volcanic arc, whose oldest representative is the Ruco Pichincha.
• Legends tell that the Guagua is the result of an affair between Taita Chimborazo and Mama Tungurahua.
• At the Lloa Refuge, you can find information to trekking-loving tourists who are preparing to tour the Pichincha volcanoes.

Urauco hot springs and the 7 waterfalls

• To the Southwest of the town, you will find Cascadas de las Siete Caras (waterfalls) and the Urauco hot springs, both of them can be reached after traveling 16 km from the central park of Lloa, along the Lloa-Mindo highway.
• Urauco hot springs has two pools with thermal waters and medicinal properties, shower services, a restaurant, sports fields and a route to visit the natural waterfalls that are formed by the falls of the Cachaco River.

The entrepreneurial spirit haunts the hillside of Guagua Pichincha

Manuel Sotomayor, farmer from Lloa

• Manuel Sotomayor says that being next to the Guagua Pichincha volcano is a blessing, because the black lands are of volcanic origin that makes them very productive.
• Avocados, tangerines, canes, bananas, potatoes, everything grows on this highly productive land.

Holidays and traditions

Holy Week

• March/April: The residents celebrate the Holy Week with a characterization of the life, passion and death of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most important events in town and attracts a large number of national and foreign tourists.

Lloa Festivities

• May 29th: A number of events take place during this celebration that begins the first days of May, with the burning of the chamiza (big bonfire). 
• The festivities extend throughout the month with the development of parades, dances, presentation of town bands, fireworks and typical food festivals.

Pilgrimage with the Virgin of the volcano

• August 18th:  The catholic believers make a pilgrimage to honor the Virgin of the Volcano. 
• Hundreds of devotees walk towards the Cruz de los Caminantes, located in the Pichincha volcano, where there is a painting of the Virgin Mary inside of a cave.