Today, the Otavalo population is made up of indígenas , mestizos and those of European descent.

Otavaleños are now the wealthiest and most commercially successful indígenas in Ecuador - a status which translates to owning hotels and Ford Rangers, and having an indigenous mayor. This juxtaposition of savvy and tradition illuminates how marginalized the rest of Latin America's native populations are in comparison.

Indigenous Otavaleños have long been recognized as brilliant weavers and craftspeople.

In order to develop authentic and sustainable rural community tourism, it is necessary to interact directly with the
indigenous communities in the development of offering lodging and food to tourists that visit the area.

OTAVALO INDIAN MARKET

After a couple of hours enjoying the constantly changing Andean scenery of Ecuador, we will arrive at the province of Imbabura, well-known as the region of lakes.  We will visit Otavalo and its famous Indigenous Market, whose multicoloured square offers beautiful textile handycrafts made of wool and cotton, native paintings, straw hats, handmade imitation jewelry and other countless curiosities that display the creativity of Ecuador. After shopping we will eat lunch (NOT INCLUDED) in an Hosteria or in a traditional Colonial Hacienda. In the afternoon we will go to Cotacahi, here you can buy excellent leather goods for very low prices and see the beautiful Lake Cuicocha.

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OTAVALO 2DAYS / 1 NIGHT

Day 1: Route Quito, Cayambe, Lago San Pablo view point, visits to Cuicocha, Ilumán and Peguche.

Day 2:Day 2. - Ibarra - San Antonio of Ibarra, Indigenous Market Otavalo –  Cuicocha – Cotacachi textile handycrafts Otavalean Girl handycrafts
Altitude : 2600 m / 8530 ft
Departure : 8 am
It includes:
- Private or semi private transportation
- Bilingual guides
- Entrance fees paid to places listed above
- Lodging in Hacienda or Hosteria with
breakfast
- Lunches in Hacienda or Hosteria
Optional: dinner

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INDIAN VILLAGE TOUR AND CUICOCHA LAKE

On this excursion we will visit 4 indigenous communities: the tourist will have the opportunity to observe handicrafts being made, such as mats of the ´totora plant´ (near the San Pablo lake), musical Andean instruments, and the process of making shawls in a traditional way. The tour also includes a visit to the waterfall at Peguche which is a sacred site and a visit to the town of Cotacachi, known for its leather shops. We will end the tour at the beautiful volcanic Cuicocha
Lake.

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TREKKING AROUND CUICOCHA LAKE

Cuicocha is part of the Ecological Reserve Cotacachi-Cayapas which is at an altitude of 3,064m. This 4-hour hike will give you the opportunity to view a variety of Andean flora and fauna surrounding the lake as well as its unique landscape. The lake, with its beautiful crystal waters, has two small islands created by volcanic domes, and has a depth of approximately 200 metres. With a clear sky during the trek we will be able to see the snow-capped peaks of the
volcanoes Cayambe and Cotopaxi and the craters of Cotacachi and Imbabura. We will start our hike at 3,100m and we will reach a viewpoint at 3,500m-from this point onwards we will descend to the level of the lake.

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TREKKING TO THE FUYA FUYA MOUNTAIN AND MOJANDA LAKE

In this one-day trip we will visit Caricocha Lake. This tranquil lake is situated at approximately 3,700m above sea level and is hidden by grassland hills with the Fuya-Fuya mountain providing a grand backdrop. After this we will ascend Fuya-Fuya (4,265m), which is usually a 2 hours climb and have a magnificent view of two of the three sparkling Mojanda lakes (Caricocha and Yanacocha). If it is a clear day, we may also see the snow-capped peaks of Cotapaxi, Cayambe
and Antisana, the craters of Cotacachi and Imbabura and we will be able to spot Quito and Otavalo. The ascent of Fuya-Fuya is a perfect preparation for climbing Andean peaks like Cotopaxi.

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HORSE-RIDING TREK THROUGH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

 

We will depart from the office in Otavalo by car to a rural community or a hacienda. From there, we will start our horse-ride through native forest and indigenous communities where we will be able to observe the daily life of the people. From there, we will visit Cuicocha Lake and enjoy a meal of traditional food. There will also be time at the lake to partake
in a boat ride around the
islands. From Cuicocha Lake, we will return to the rural community or the hacienda by horseback and then return to Otavalo by car.

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BIKING DOWNHILL TO THE SUBTROPICAL CLOUD FOREST

 

This 60km bike ride is mainly downhill from approximately 3,500m near Cuicocha Lake (Andean zone) to 1,500m in the subtropical Cloud Forest of Intag. After this adventurous biking trip there will be the opportunity to bathe in the thermal pools at Nangulví. A dip in the hot water will wash away the dust and tiredness. After this relaxing swim and lunch we will go back to Otavalo by car.

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CLIMBING UP TO THE COTACACHI VOLCANO

 

For the adventurous tourist in love with Andean climbing, this tough one-day tour (10 hours hiking) offers the opportunity to climb almost to the top of the volcano at 4,850m. The journey takes us through the highlands, from volcanic rocks to flora and fauna native to the highland moors and offers magnificent views of the Avenue of the Volcanoes-including Chimborazo (6,310m)-and the Imbabura province. There is also the option of doing the tour in two days.

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CLIMBING UP TO THE IMBABURA VOLCANO

 

This tough one-day tour (9 hours hiking) offers the opportunity to climb to the top of the volcano. After entering the indigenous community of Esperanza (at 3,000m) we will cross the highland moors and will have a good view of Ibarra, the capital of Imbabura. Gradually, the environment changes to rocky formations and after a 5 to 6 hour climb we will reach the top of this volcano at 4,610m. After a good rest we will start descending and in some 3 to 4 hours we will reach
Esperanza and head back to Otavalo by car. There is also the option of doing the tour in two days.
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TREKKING FROM MOJANDA TO CUICOCHA LAKE

 

The natural environment of the Andean highland moors together with the secluded paths in this three-day tour offer a perfect opportunity to be submerged in the Andean countryside. In addition, one will be able to visit indigenous communities and the valleys that lead from Fuya- Fuya Mountain to Cuicocha Lake. On the first day we will walk from the Mojanda Lakes to Pataqui. On the second day we will go by car to the village of Minas and hike to the Cuicocha
Lake where we spend the night in lodges with beautiful views of the lake. On the third day we will hike around Cuicocha Lake and then down to the community of Morochos passing alpacas on the way. In Morochos the Runa Tupari car will be waiting for us and will take us back to Otavalo.

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TREKKING TO THE PIÑAN LAKES AND THE SUBTROPICAL CLOUD FOREST

On the first day of this four-day tour we will hike partly around the Cotacachi volcano. On the following days we will visit Cristococha Lake, the Yanaurco Volcano and the Piñan Lakes and on the last day we will descend to the Cloud Forest in the subtropical zone. Besides the Andean highland moors, the indigenous community of Piñan, and the countless lakes, one can also
experience the tropical weather and the flora and fauna of the Intag zone where an abundance of species with high scientific and conservational value can be found. We will hike some 7 hours a day and will start at 3,400 m. The first night the campsite will be at around 3,700 m and we will end our hike after four days at 1,400 m in the subtropical zone of Intag.

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SHARE IN EVERYDAY LIFE WITH INDIGENOUS FAMILIES

We have 12 rural lodges located in the indigenous communities of the Cotacachi region. The lodges are traditional and form part of the daily life of the indigenous people with still enough independency for the visitor. The lodges consist of one bedroom with a fireplace, bathroom, hot shower, and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The furnishings are simple and comfortable with single and/or double beds. Each lodge can house up to three adult visitors. Your stay at the lodge affords a unique opportunity to share in everyday life including visits to the home gardens to taste and learn from your hosts about the plants and crops that they conserve, and their culinary or medicinal uses as well as to enjoy the tranquility of the country, the hospitality of your host family and the cultural authenticity of the region.

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