DAY 1: QUITO TO OTAVALO – PEGUCHE

Pick up at the hotel in Quito. We´ll go by private transportation to the north of Quito, Otavalo is located in the province of Imbabura and is a magical city surrounded by mountains, lakes, farmland and indigenous communities. Crossing the Valley of Guayllabamba, we´ll arrive at the Quitsato Solar Clock, site through which the Equatorial Line passes. Then, we´ll make a stop at the lookout of San Pablo lake, and continue the journey to Otavalo where we’ll visit the famous “Plaza de Ponchos”, the largest indigenous market in South America, an ideal place for shopping. Afterwards, we´ll go to the small community of Peguche, known for its weavings. Here we´ll head up to Peguche Waterfall, a beautiful ritual and spiritual site where the inhabitants on the eve of Inti Raymi, take a sacred bath under the waterfall. Afterwards we´ll visit a home-workshop of Andean musical instruments, specializing in wind instruments. Then we´ll visit another home-workshop to learn about the different weaving techniques, traditional dresses and visit its house garden with medical plants. Return to Otavalo. Overnight in Otavalo.

OPTIONAL: After the visit to the Plaza de los Ponchos, the adventure continues towards the Cuicocha Lagoon in the Cotacachi – Cayapas Reserve. Cuicocha is a volcanic crater that has a diameter of 3 km. The islands in the center of Cuicocha has an endemic flora and fauna. We´ll have a boat ride around the lake and a hike to the lookout. Afterwards we´ll go to Cotacachi, famous for its leather articles. Return to Otavalo. Overnight in Otavalo.

DAY 2: OTAVALO – QUILOTOA

Breakfast, early in the morning we´ll leave to Quilotoa lagoon, on the road we´ll admire the beautiful Andean landscape. Our first stop will be to visit an artisan workshop in Tigua, famous for its picturesque and colorful paintings. When we arrive at the Quilotoa area we´ll go to the “Shalalá” lookout, we can marvel at the beauty of the Quilotoa Lagoon with its incredible turquoise waters, from a transparent structure built as a lookout. After a lunch break, we´ll descend towards the lagoon where we´ll have some free time to visit it and walk around. The path to ascend communicates us with the community lookout (the ascend is a bit tough and steep, so it is recommended to go up on a mule for people who are not in a good physical condition). Finally, we will visit the Toachi Canyon lookout. The overnight will be on Hacienda San José de Sigchos and enjoy a delicious dinner.

DAY 3: QUILOTOA – COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK – RETURN TO QUITO

Early in the morning we´ll participate in the milking of the cows. After breakfast we´ll go to Cotopaxi National Park, crossing the Andes and enjoying a beautiful view. We´ll visit the Volcan Cotopaxi (5897 meters, 19,347 feet), the world’s tallest active volcano, located in the middle of the “Volcano Avenue” that encircles the Pacific Ocean.

In the Cotopaxi National Park, we´ll visit the Limpiopungo Lagoon and explore the cloud forests that hide different species of endemic flora and fauna. Afterwards we´ll go to the parking to start a hiking to the José Ribas refuge at 4864 meters. During this visit, we’ll encounter mystical landscapes that both surprise and enchant. Return to Quito at 16:00 – 16:30

INCLUDED:

• Guide / Driver bilingual (English & Spanish)
• Private transportation
• Accommodation hotel – Tourist superior
• Breakfast per night of lodging
• Meals (02 lunches in Otavalo & Cotopaxi + 01 Dinner in San Josè de Sigchos)
• Entrance fee to the activities
• Described activities in the itinerary
• 24/7 support
• Taxes

NOT INCLUDED

• Meals and drinks (01 Lunch in Quilotoa and 01 Dinner in Otavalo)
• Travel insurance
• Airplane tickets
• Personal expenses
• Tips

For further information and availability please.

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