Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a few dollars, but bear in mind that while
this is part of the fun, the extra dollar
means more to the locals than to you.
During the week the town is quieter
but the market is open. Outside the
market, the Museo de Tejidos el Obraje
(Mon-Sat 9am-1pm & 3-5pm; $2)
is worth a visit for its demonstrations
of textile production. Otavalo's
surroundings are also impressive - the
town is nestled between the extinct
volcanic peaks of Imbabura and
Cotacachi on opposite ends of town.
Some 4km out of town is the Parque
Condor (Tues-Sun 9.30am-5pm; $2.50;
T 02 292 4429, W parquecondor.org),
which rehabilitates owls, eagles, falcons
and condors. It is a pleasant walk with
views over Otavalo. Start from the south
end of town along Piedrahita and follow
the signs past a eucalyptus grove and up
a hill. Along the way is El Lechero , a tree
revered by locals for its healing powers,
named because of the milky liquid found
in its leaves. Note that robberies have
been reported on this route and it can be
hard to find so consider a taxi ($4).
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By bus Buses to Otavalo leave from Quito's Carcelén terminal
several times each hour (2hr). There are also services from
Ibarra (hourly; 40min). The bus station is on Atahualpa, at
Neptali Ordoñez, a couple of blocks northeast of the central
Plaza de Ponchos market. It's a short walk to the centre from
the bus station but take a taxi for $1 if you're laden with
luggage or if you arrive at night.
Tourist o ce For information and maps, try the Cámara
de Turismo o ce (Quiroga, at Modesto Jaramillo; Mon-Fri
8.30am-1pm & 2.30-5.30pm, Sat 9am-2pm, Sun 9am-
noon; T 06 292 7230).
6
GETTING AROUND
Otavalo is small and compact enough to walk around,
but a taxi across town costs just $1 and is recommended
at night. Taxis to surrounding attractions like Peguche,
Parque El Condor and Laguna San Pablo cost $3-4. A taxi to
attractions further away, including Lagunas de Mojanda,
costs $10/hr.
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES AROUND OTAVALO
Otavalo is surrounded by stunning scenery that can be explored independently or on guided
tours. While most travellers come to Otavalo for a day or two, you could easily fill a week
exploring mountains and valleys, and trying out adventure sports.The nearest attraction is
the Laguna de San Pablo , fifteen minutes from town by bus from the terminal (take any
bus heading to Araque). Hike around the lake, visit small indigenous communities or arrange
watersports. It's very popular with locals at weekends.
Of the many indigenous communities near Otavalo, the best known is Peguche , a five-minute
journey by bus (Coop Imbaburapac at the terminal does this route). The town is famed for its
weavers and musicians, and for a 20m-high waterfall. Peguche, the waterfall and surrounding
weaving communities can be visited on a tour ($30/person) with Runa Tupari (see below).
Further afield are the three Lagunas de Mojanda , considered sacred by many locals. There are
trails around the lakes and up to the peak of Fuya Fuya (4275m), which is good practice for
climbing higher peaks. Another popular trip is the stunning Laguna Cuicocha , a 3km-wide
extinct volcanic crater lake with steep forested islands in the middle. It sits at the foot of
Cotacachi Volcano and can be reached by taxi from Cotacachi (a 30min bus ride from the
Otavalo terminal). Tours to Mojanda and Cuicocha can be organized with tour operators in
Otavalo for $25. Hiking or cycling tours cost $30-40.
The valleys and rivers around Otavalo offer great adventure-sports opportunities. Canyoning
is possible in Peguche and in Taxopamba ($30-35). There is class 3-4 white-water rafting in
Río Chota, Río Mira and Río Intag ($30). The best mountain-biking tour descends into the
Intag Valley to the west ($50). For those well acclimatized and fit, the mountains around
Otavalo offer unforgettable climbing. Imbabura (4690m, $60) is the easiest climb, Cotacachi
(4944m, $80) has technical climbing at the summit, and Cayambe (5789m, $190) is Ecuador's
third-highest peak and takes a minimum of two days.
TOUR OPERATORS
Runa Tupari Plaza de Ponchos T 06 292 2320,
W runatupari.com.
Ecomontes Sucre, at Morales T 06 292 6244,
W ecomontestour.com.
 
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