Otavalo Excursions

Peguche Waterfall And San Pablo Lake

Peguche waterfall is an historical place which was used in the time of the Incas to bath before the Inty Raimy (Sun Holiday) party. It's about one and a half hour from Otavalo. On our journey, we will hike up to the top of the waterfall and then head to the San Pablo Lake. On the way, we will watch the indigenous washing their clothes in the river. Afterwards, we'll return to Otavalo.

The Golondrinas Cloud Forest

This is the most exiting trip available to the cloud forest. We will depart from Otavalo at 6 a.m. headed for Ibarra. From Ibarra, we'll take the train to San Lorenzo (around 3 hours), crossing tunnels, long bridges, and beautiful landscapes on the way. The view is amazing and unique. Departing the train, we'll travel down the mountains to the cloud forest by car. We'll visit tropical fruit orchards and sample some typical local cuisine. Later we'll visit the forest's waterfalls and then return to Otavalo.
Transportation: Railway and private car.

Cuicocha Lake

Cuicocha lake, a volcanic crater lake also called "the lake of the Gods", is located near the town of Cotacachi.  Here, we'll hike around the lake taking in the breathtaking views. After our hike and a short break we'll return to Otavalo. On this trip we recommended taking warm clothes, sun block, and camera.
Transportation: Private car.






San Antonio De Ibarra

Traveling by bus, we'll journey thirty minutes north of Otavalo to San Antonio de Ibarra where the people are known for their exquisite woodcarvings. Wandering through the pueblo we'll have a chance to visit the finest artisans' shops and see them working before returning to Otavalo.
Transportation: Public bus.






Cotacachi And Its Museum.


This small town, some 15 km. north of Otavalo, is famous for its leatherwork. Upon arriving, we'll visit its museum, learning the area's history, customs, and traditions. Afterwards, we'll do some shopping before returning to Otavalo.
Transportation: Public bus.

Mojanda Lakes


Situated high in the Andean paramo at an altitude of 3800 meters, these three lakes - Caricocha (man lake), Huarmicocha, and Yanacocha - are awe-inspiring. Slowly hiking around the lakes, we'll enjoy 3 hours or so here. We recommend taking warm clothes and/or rain gear, depending of the weather.
Transportation: Private car.

Horseback Riding

Anglo Arabian horses will be taking you on a breathtaking adventure through the highlands around Otavalo. This ride will take you to some of the sacred places of Otavalo's culture such as El Lechero (a sacred tree, centuries old), from which point we'll have an amazing view of San Pablo lake and Otavalo. Afterwards, we'll descend to the Peguche waterfall and then we'll head to Otavalo.






Cochasqui Pre-Inca Ruins.

Located one and a half hours south of Otavalo by car, these ruins were built by the Caras Indians before the Inca conquest. Exploring the site's 15 pyramids, we'll learn about their strategic, ceremonial, and astronomical purposes. The view here is spectacular. If the day is clear we'll see volcanoes such as Cotopaxi, Cayambe, Antizana, Illinizas, and the Pichinchas as well as Quito .
Transportation: Private car.

Ibarra

Located a half hour away from Otavalo at an altitude of 2,250 m, Ibarra is the capital of the Imbabura Province. The city is surrounded by the majestic, extinct Imbabura Volcano (4,650 m.) and the historical Yahuarcocha lagoon (Blood Lake). A beautiful area, the city is best known for its historic churches and famous train. And you'll be delighted by the traditional "helados de paila" (Special ice cream).
Transportation: Private car.

Inty Raymi Celebration

The Inti Raymi is the time when the earth offers all of its fruits after the Andean agricultural cycle ends one of its phases. Then, the communities prepare various foods based in maize such as "mote", "colada" and "chicha", the later being a special drink made of the best varieties of this grain. The food and drinks are very important because soon arrive the dancers following the rhythm of lively music, lead by the Aya Uma. This is a mythological character wearing a mask with two faces and twelve horns. The two faces represent night and day, and the horns represent the twelve months of the year. The Aya Uma is considered the spirit of the mountain, which comes down to the communities to accompany the town people during the celebration dedicated to the sun, the moon and nature. Thus, whoever wants to be the Aya Uma must be an honest, hardworking, responsible and respected person among the community. The dancers go around in circles, representing the two solstices and two equinoxes that take place during the year. The dancers stamp their feet while they circle around, as a way to invite Mother Earth to participate in the party, so that it recuperates its vital energies and is ready to begin the new agricultural cycle where the maize and other crops will be cultivated again.

This party full of color, music and traditions goes on for various days and in some communities even for weeks. The Inti Raymi is a time of reunion with the family, the community and what is more important, Mother Earth. Moreover, the Inti Raymi is a complex celebration that involves myth, legend, traditional knowledge and syncretism. These celebrations open various options to enjoy them, be it through observation or direct participation. The Inti Raymi is open to all: men and women, all ages, indigenous and non-indigenous, Ecuadorians and foreigners, It is open for all who value and love nature and respect cultural diversity.

Wakcha Karay Ceremony

This ceremony is celebrated at the Cotama community, located at 5 minutes of Otavalo. The ceremony is preceded by the Shaman or the oldest man of the community. Participants of the three communities are invited to celebrate this special ceremony, the member of each family take some food to offer to the Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) and also the food is shared with the guests. During the ceremony only the children participate dancing and singing After the Yachac offer the food he ask for rain.

Ñanda Mañachi (Folklor musicians group)

The Ñnada Mañachi group is located in Peguche close to the beautiful Waterfall. This group appear around the 70’ and it was the only group in Otavalo who travelled around the world playing the Andean music. Some years later the founder of the group settled in Peguche and open his house to the people as a small museum of musical instruments. Nowadays he and his family show the people how to make small instruments like the typical “rondador” and play music with their instruments.

Yachacs (Shaman)

A Yachac is a person who interacts with both the normal world and the world of spirits, usually acting as a sort of intermediary between the two. Yachacs are common in Otavalo, specially in our indigenous culture. This ancient tradition is inherited between families. The Yachac is often responsible for both the physical and spiritual health of people, and may also be called upon to invoke spirits for aid, or to predict the future and interpret omens.

Yachacs beliefs do not constitute a single religion or doctrinal system. In Yachac thinking, every element of the world around us, whether human, animal, tree, or rock, is imbued with spirits. Spirits are conscious, often anthropomorphic, and can also be interpreted as representing the essences that underlie surface appearances. One ceremony can last one to 2 hours.

Jambi Huasi

Jambi Huasi (Alternative Medice House) is a small clinic which uses the medicine alternative focused to the poor people. The professionals use the natural indigenous medicine combined with the Occidental Medicine. This alternative medicine center includes healing with Yachacs and a woman Yachac who uses the guinea pigs as a part of the treatment.

Mountain Biking

Enjoy 3 hours of mountain biking around the scenic San Pablo lake and going through Indian villages including Agato, Iluman and Peguche. The roads are free of cars and most of the journey is flat land for an enjoyable ride. From Otavalo we will take a bus to San Pablo to begin our tour.
Transportation: Bus and quality mountain bikes.

The Monument Of The Middle Of The World

Located south of Otavalo (90 Kms.), the Equatorial Monument ("Mitad del Mundo"), marks the exact middle of the world, latitude 0º, longitude 0º, where you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. We'll visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the monument, which shows the different Native American groups living in Ecuador. Besides the monument, there is a colonial-style town, complete with main square, church, post office, bullring, cafeterias, restaurants and many gift shops with postcards and souvenirs.
Transportation. private car.

Baños Trip

We will spend an unforgetable 2 days in Baños. After visiting Cochasqui we will depart by bus to Baños, arriving late in the afternoon. The next day, after breakfast we will depart by bike, traveling downhill to Rio Verde. Along the way we will be able to see beautiful waterfalls such as Manto de la Novia and el Pailon del Diablo. We will cross la Tarabita over the Pastaza River. Lunch at Rio Verde. Return to Baños by car. In the afternoon we will relax in the hot springs. Stay overnight. The next day we will make a tour visiting the most important places and outlooks of Baños. Depending upon the season, we can go water rafting in the rivers close to the city.