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A tour of Otavalo and Cuicocha features the vibrant Indigenous market in Otavalo, famous for colorful textiles, followed by a scenic boat ride on the stunning Cuicocha lagoon. A unique experience!

Highlights

• The Indigenous market is one of the largest in South America.
• It's an ideal tour for those looking to combine culture, nature, and adventure.
• Cuicocha is an impressive crater lake formed by an inactive volcano.

Description

DAY 1: Quito – Quitsato – Ponchos Market – Visit to Sacha Warmi Community Our journey begins at approximately 08:00 at the designated meeting point for this tour. We will head north of the city, and after about 1 hour and 30 minutes, we will arrive at QUITSATO, a large 52-meter (170 ft.) diameter solar clock made from a grand stone mosaic that marks the different lines of the solstices and equinoxes, as well as the hours of the day. These are indicated by the shadow projection of a 10-meter (32 ft.) tall post located exactly in the center of this large circular platform. Here, we will learn about the fascinating history of the geodesic missions in the Ecuadorian Andes and the great importance of solstices and equinoxes in the world. Next, we will proceed to Otavalo, where we will visit the traditional and renowned PONCHO MARKET, the most famous indigenous market in South America. Here, you can find a wide variety of crafts: exquisitely woven fabrics, wool ponchos, hats, tapestries, hand-knitted sweaters, scarves, carved tagua jewelry, and even Andean musical instruments. Twenty-five minutes away is the parish of Gonzales Suarez, where the Sacha Warmikuna (Women of the Mountain) project is located. Here, we will enjoy a delicious lunch and take a tour of the alstroemerias, the garden, the roses, and the strawberries. You will also participate in preparing chili sauce with the community. Afterward, we will head to Hacienda Pinsaqui for check-in. You will have the afternoon free to explore the place and rest for the next day. Included: Accommodation: Hacienda Pinsaqui in a standard double room, lunch. Not included: breakfast, dinner. DAY 2: Peguche waterfall – boat ride at Cuicocha Lagoon – Cotacachi – Quito After a delicious breakfast, we will head to the Peguche Waterfall. This beautiful tourist spot features an 18-meter (59 ft.) waterfall and is considered a ceremonial indigenous site due to its purification baths. This sacred waterfall is located within the 40 hectares of the 'Bosque Protector Cascada de Peguche,' known as one of the most beautiful forests in northern Ecuador. At approximately 10:00, we will arrive at the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve, where we will visit Cuicocha Lagoon. This lagoon is situated at an altitude of 3,068 m.a.s.l. (10,065 ft.), at the foot of Cotacachi volcano in the western range of the Ecuadorian Andes, in the province of Imbabura. Cuicocha is a dark blue, almost circular lagoon, 4 km (2,48 miles) long by 3 km (1,86 miles) wide, formed in a deep volcanic crater. Inside the lagoon, you can see two islands, the smaller one called Yerovi and the larger one, Teodoro Wolf, separated by a channel known as the 'Channel of Dreams.' Here, we will take a boat ride. Afterward, we will visit Cotacachi, a city known for its leather industry, where you can shop if you wish,and enjoy a delicious box lunch. Then we will return to Quito. Included: breakfast and box lunch. Not included: dinner.

Includes

Comfortable transportation Certified English/Spanish-speaking guide 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Box lunch Traditional Bizcochos (biscuit) Quitsato project (middle of the world) entrance fee Visit ¨Ponchos¨ indigenous market Visit Sacha Warmi community + rose plantation Accommodation based on double occupancy, 1 night at Pinsaqui Hacienda hotel Boat ride at Cuicocha crater lake

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund