El Norte (4 days)

Every day from Quito, at least 2 participants

Through an ever-changing landscape of steep valleys and tall mountains, you head north toward Otavalo. Near the town of Cayambe, you will cross the equator. The next mountain pass presents a spectacular view of the gigantic Imbabura volcano, at the foot of which lies picturesque San Pablo Lake. Finally, you reach Otavalo. In addition to the typical vegetable and grocery market, the busy Otavalo Indians offer woolen sweaters, ponchos, hand-woven wall hangings, and much more on the “Plaza de los Ponchos”. In the afternoon, you visit some small artisan villages in the surrounding area. Overnight accommodations for two days at the Hostería Pantaví.


Your first destination for the day is the tropically warm, yet very dry Chota Valley, which is an isolated enclave of Afro-Ecuadorian culture in the Andes. From here, you make your way to the small town of El Angel, where a rough gravel road leads out to the unique Paramo de El Angel Nature Reserve. As far as the eye can see, the high plain is covered with “frailejones”, an unusual plant that can grow up to 4 meters tall. A basic hiking trail leads through this enchanting scenery to El Voladero Lake.


After breakfast, you drive to the idyllic crater lake of Cuicocha, where you can hike along the rim of the crater. If the weather conditions are good, you will have a spectacular view of the Otavalo Valley and the surrounding volcanoes Cotacachi, Imbabura, and Cayambe. For guests in good physical condition we can organize a hike around the crater (approx. 4 hours). In the afternoon, you return to Quito passing the dry and steep valley of Pisque.