AOTA001
Trekking around the crater lake Cuicocha
Private tour
Full Day
Cuicocha es uno de los lagos más famosos de Ecuador! En coche privado nos dirigimos en media hora a la entrada de la reserva Cotacachi-Cayapas, donde comenzamos una caminata de 4 a5 horas que discurre entre los 3.100 y los 3.500 metros sobre el nivel del mar. A lo largo del camino disfrutamos de la biodiversidad y de las vistas del pintoresco lago Cuicocha con sus dos islotes y de los picos de las montañas Cotacachi (4939 mts), Imbabura (4630 mts) y Cayambe (5790 mts). El guía local explica el origen del cráter y nos cuenta sobre las plantas que encontramos en el camino. Al terminar el recorrido nos trasladamos en coche a la pequeña ciudad de Cotacachi, famosa por sus artículos en cuero, donde almorzamos y tomamos un tiempo libre para conocer la ciudad. En horas de la tarde retornamos al hotel.
Dificultad: moderada
Duración: aprox. 7 horas
Incluye: guía local de habla inglesa, transporte privado, almuerzo o box lunch
Obligatorio: buen calzado para caminar, protección solar, repelente de mosquitos, forro polar o jersey, agua (mínimo 1 litro)
Recomendado: cámara, largavistas, chubasquero
AOTA002
Mojanda lakes and Fuya-Fuya mountain tour
Private tour
Full Day
On this excursion we explore the moorland meadows of Mojanda Lakes and the panoramic views from the top of Mount Fuya Fuya. By private car, we drive to the shores of Mojanda Lake, located at an altitude of 3,700 meters. From here begins a hike across the moor to the summit of Mount Fuya Fuya at 4,265 meters. At the summit we enjoy refreshments and views of the lake and the Imbabura, Cotacachi and Cayambe mountains. We then descend and return to Otavalo.
Difficulty: moderate
Duration: approx. 6 hours
Includes: English speaking local guide, transportation, lunch box
Mandatory: good walking shoes, sun protection, fleece or sweater, water (min. 1 liter), good physical condition at altitude
Recommended: camera, binoculars, raincoat.
AOTA004
Imbabura volcano ascent (4639 m altitude)
Private tour
Full Day
We climb the Imbabura-mountain and enjoy the view over the province to which this mountain gave its name. Before sunrise, we head to the village of Casha Pampa which is located at 3300 meters altitude. Here we start the climb that lasts 5-6 hours between páramo grasslands with spectacular views of the town of Ibarra and the snow-capped Cayambe. A little further up, the road becomes rocky and we walk around a volcanic crater to the summit at 4610 meters. After a rest and refreshment, we descend.
Difficulty: moderate-high
Duration: 10-12 hours
Included: English-speaking local guide, private transportation, snack.
Mandatory: good walking shoes, sun protection, fleece or sweater, water (minimum 1.5 liters), raincoat, good physical condition even at altitude.
Recommended: camera, walking sticks
AOTA005
Ascent to the Cotacachi volcano (4932 meters of altitude)
Private tour
Full Day
This is a high altitude ascent to the highest volcano in the region. The Cotacachi volcano called by the indigenous natives as Mama Cotacachi, in reference to the protective woman for the people of Otavalo and Cotacachi, is a dormant volcano. Its elevation is rocky with different crags in addition to presenting forests typical of the Andean zones of Ecuador. Ancient stories tell that the crater lake Cuicocha is full of the tears of the Cotacachi Mom for the sadness of not having her son by her side, the well known volcano Guagua Pichincha located in the city of Quito.
We leave before dawn and drive up to 4000 meters altitude. From here, we hike through meadows for 3 or 4 hours until we reach the snow line at about 4750 meters altitude. We rest for a while and enjoy the views of the Andes mountain range. Then we descend again and return by car to the starting point.
For safety reasons, we do not climb to the summit (4939 meters): there are times when there is erosion or strong winds at the top.
Difficulty: moderate-high
Duration: 8-10 hours
Includes: English-speaking local guide, private transportation, snack, park entrance fee.
Required: good walking shoes, sun protection, fleece or sweater, water (min. 1 liter), raincoat, reasonable physical condition at altitude.
Recommended: camera, walking sticks
Note: You can also do this trek in two days with one night camping on the mountain.
AOTA011
Cuicocha Lake, Peguche waterfall and indigenous villages
Private tour
Full Day
During this tour we visit different indigenous villages and workshops of, for example, reed mats, musical instruments, carpet weaving, wool spinning and seed jewelry making. We will also visit the Peguche waterfall and the town of Cotacachi, known for its leather. Finally we make a short hike to the edge of the Cuicocha lagoon in the Cotacachi-Cayapas reserve.
This excursion can be adapted to the clients’ requirements!
Difficulty: light
Duration: approx. 7 hours
Includes: English speaking local guide, private transportation, lunch, entrance fee.
Recommended: camera, water, sun protection, fleece or sweater.
AOTA012
The coffee route in Intag
Private tour
Full Day
We discover how pure organic coffee is grown and processed. We drive to the Intag valley and enjoy the spectacular views along the way. In Intag, we arrive at the organic farm of the organization AACRI (Asociación de cafeteros del Rio Intag) where we learn about coffee cultivation, the harvesting process and the first steps of processing. We taste what coffee really tastes like. After lunch in Nangulvi, we take some free time to walk around or visit the hot springs (optional). Afterwards we return by car.
Difficulty: light
Duration: about 10 hours
Included: guide, private transportation, lunch, entrance fees.
Required: sun protection
Recommended: camera, water, swimsuit with towel
AOTA013
Artesanate workshops and botanical garden
Private tour
Full Day
The guide takes us to the community of Cachibiro – San Rafael to visit an artisan family that makes works with the totora plant. We can participate in the elaboration of a handicraft in this material. Then we visit the Peguche Waterfall, where we take a short walk and the guide explains the importance of this place for the indigenous population and their traditions and festivities. We then visit a family dedicated to traditional weaving and learn how to use the backstrap loom or calluha and the pedal loom and learn the process of dyeing sheep wool using natural plants. We then visit the Nanda Mañachi workshop, a traditional workshop where different musical instruments from the Andean countries are made. José Luis teaches us how to build a musical instrument called Palla. He also gives a short demonstration of each instrument delighting us with some beautiful traditional melodies. You can choose to have lunch with a local family or in the town of Cotacachi. Afterwards we visit the Garden of Dreams to learn about some plants and their importance in traditional Andean medicine.
Duration: approximately 6 hours
Included: local guide who speaks English, transportation, lunch and entrance to the workshops
Not included: material costs Totora
AOTA014
Native health, reproduction and spirituality
Private tour
Full Day
Our first visit is to the Garden of Dreams where we learn about some plants of great importance in traditional Andean medicine. Then we learn about the community midwives. A local midwife discusses how ancient traditions and indigenous knowledge are still used today. After a brief explanation of the health situation in the area, we learn about the daily work of an indigenous midwife in the village of La Calera.
Afterwards we take a short walk to the sacred site of the community to perform a ritual bath where we meet with the Yachak/Shaman to observe the demonstration of their knowledge and be part of cleansing and purification. This Andean ritual forms a connection between the human being, the soul, the cosmos and nature making them one being. This is a group demonstration. Optionally with an extra cost one can take an individual healing bath.
Afterwards we enjoy a delicious typical lunch prepared by a group of women from the community. When you want and time permits you can still take a walk in the Cuicocha Lake.
Duration:
Includes: visits with local guide who speaks English, transportation and lunch.
AOTA016
Visit to El Angel National Park
Private tour
Full Day
El Angel National Park is known for the large amount of frailejones (Espeletia Pycnophylla) and small trees of Polylepis known as the paper tree, plants endemic to the area.
By private car we travel in an hour and a half from Otavalo to the park. There we start a pleasant walk to the lake “El Voladero” which is located at an altitude of 3800 meters. After this nature walk, we head to Salinas, a town where a tasty lunch awaits us. In the afternoon the driver will be waiting for us to take us back to Otavalo.
Recommended: sun protection, raincoat, polar fleece or warm sweater, water, camera.
Duration: 9 hours
Includes: English speaking local guide, transportation, lunch, eventually train ticket Salinas – Ibarra.
Note: previously this excursion was combined with a return train ride from Salinas to Ibarra. As of June 2020 the train service is discontinued. Perhaps this train trip will be resumed in the future.
AOTA020
Cycling from Cuicocha to Cotacachi
Private tour
Full Day
This mountain bike tour takes you to Cuicocha Lake and the region of Cotacachi. By private car with the guide we drive for about 45 minutes to the community of Ugshapungo. Here from an altitude of 3300 meters, not far from the Cuicocha Lake, we descend by bike for about 3 hours to 2400 meters. We pass through indigenous villages and visit the botanical garden of Turuco. On the way we visit the Cuicocha lake and the town of Cotacachi. We take our lunch in the town of Cotacachi, and there is free time to visit the town. Then we continue to the community of La Calera where we visit an indigenous family that works with tagua seeds. Then the vehicle awaits us to return to Otavalo in the afternoon.
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 5 hours
Includes: English speaking local guide, private transportation, bicycle and helmet, lunch, entrance fees.
Bring: sun protection, fleece or sweater, water.
AOTA021
Cycling to the Intag cloud forest
Private tour
Full Day
On this excursion we enjoy a morning of biking and then relax in the hot springs of Nangulvi. The subtropical valley of Intag is located southeast of the province of Imbabura and 39 km west of Cotacachi. It is a tropical zone that oscillates between 10° C to 25° C, allowing to have within its territory a great diversity of flora and fauna as well as its warm and friendly people, full of traditions and customs.
By private car, we drive to the village of Urcusiqui at 3400 meters of altitude. Here we start pedaling for about 3 to 4 hours. We descend 1800 meters, with some short climbs along the way. On the way, we notice the change of climate and vegetation from the high Andean territory through the cloud forest to the tropical valley of Intag. Arriving at the village of Nangulvi, we have lunch and rest in the hot springs of Nagulvi before returning by car.
Difficulty: moderate
Duration: approx. 11 hours
Included: English speaking local guide, private transportation, bicycle and helmet, lunch.
Mandatory: sun protection, some cycling experience
Recommended: camera, water, reasonable fitness level, swimsuit with towel, rain jacket
AOTA022
Cycling Mojanda Lakes and Cochasquí archeology
Private tour
Full Day
We leave early in the morning for the Mojanda Lakes, which are located about forty minutes from Otavalo. These lakes are located at an altitude of 3700m. The largest lake is called Kari-Cocha. From here, a beautiful bike ride begins through moorland meadows to the archaeological site of Cochasquí. Cochasquí is known for its ancient pyramids built by the Quintu-Cara people. It is a pleasant and varied bike ride with beautiful natural scenery.
Difficulty: moderate.
Required: sun protection, raincoat, fleece or warm pullover.
Recommended: camera, water and reasonable physical condition.
Duration: 6 hours
Includes: English speaking guide, transportation, lunch box, bicycle incl. helmet and entrance fee to the Cochasquí site.
AOTA030
Horseback riding to Cuicocha Lake
Private tour
Full Day
In private transportation we drive for 20 minutes to the community of Arrayanes. In this place the guide is waiting for us with the horses, ready to start our adventure. We pass through different landscapes in the course of the journey, we observe the crops, the Andean landscapes, and if the weather accompanies us we can observe the majestic Cayambe volcano, Taita Imbabura and Mama Cotacachi. Our final destination is the Cuicocha crater lake, located within the Cotacachi Cayapas National Park. Here we have time to visit the lake. It is important to know that horses cannot enter Cuicocha because it is a protected area.
Difficulty: moderate
Duration: approx. 5 hours
Includes: English speaking local guide, private transportation, horse with equipment.
Required: sun protection, fleece or sweater, water, minimum experience with horses.
Recommended: camera, clothes that can get dirty
AOTA031
Horseback riding to the alpaca farm
Private tour
1/2 Day
From Otavalo we drive for twenty minutes to the community of Arrayanes. There the guide gives us some explanations and introduces us to the horses. After this begins the excursion through beautiful landscapes with views of the surrounding volcanoes. After about three hours of riding, we arrive at the alpaca farm in the community of Morochos where we receive an explanation about these animals and where we also have some time to rest. Then we start our return trip.
Duration: approximately 5 hours.
Included: English speaking local guide, transportation, horse and helmet.
Mandatory: sun protection, fleece or sweater, water (min. 1 liter), minimum experience with horses.
Recommended: camera, clothes that can get dirty and a snack.
AOTA050
Birdwatching: the birds of Intag
Private tour
1/2 Day
For this excursion, the guide will pick you up at the hotel at 04:00 in the morning and drive to Intag. There the driver will drop you off in the Azabi community and with the guide you will start a five hour hike through the cloud forest where you will have the chance to see different types of hummingbirds, tanagers, manakins, toukans etc. After the walk you will get a nice lunch and then drive back to Otavalo.
Difficulty: easy, moderate.
To bring: sun and rain protection, sporty footwear, water, camera and binoculars.
I am Tom from Belgium and I have been living in Ecuador for more than 10 years. I got my guiding diploma here. Traveling and discovering new places is my passion. Together with the travel agency Descubre-Ecuador, we offer tailor-made tours in Galapagos and on the Ecuadorian mainland.