The Northern Highlands - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 134

Laguna San Pablo
Just southeast of Otavalo, and a pleasant day-hike from the town, is
San Pablo Lake. Highlights of the walk from Otavalo to the tranquil
lake include rolling countryside and great views of Imbabura Vol-
cano. You can't miss it from the Pan-American Highway. Accommo-
dations are available at San Pablo Lake for travelers who want to be
near Otavalo but away from the hustle and bustle of the busy market
town itself.
To get there, follow the paths leading southeast out of Otavalo from
the railway station. The trails roughly parallel the Pan-American
Highway. Once at the lake, follow the road around it and through the
village of San Pablo.
Lagunas de Mojanda
The Mojanda Lakes, about 10 miles south of Otavalo, lie in the
shadow of the towering Mount Fuya Fuya . This area, among high
páramo habitat and jagged ridges, is great for hiking. Although the
area is largely deforested, some native patches of woods remain in
protected gorges and along the edges of cliffs. Numerous bird species
- including hummingbirds - call this area home, thanks to a wide va-
riety of flowering plants. Other wildlife in the region include white-
tailed deer and páramo foxes. Andean condors are sometimes spotted
soaring high above Fuya Fuya.
Laguna Grande de Mojanda , the largest lake of the three, is also
known as Caricocha, or Man Lake. Little Mojanda , set behind the
southeast corner of Caricocha, is also known as Huarmicocha, or
Woman Lake. A third lake, beyond the southwest corner of
Caricocha, is known as Yanacocha , or Black Lake. When the
weather is good, it's possible to hike three hours from the lakes to the
summit of Fuya Fuya, at 13,940 feet. The trip begins and ends with
spectacular views of the beautiful páramo grasslands and the Cordil-
lera.
To reach the lakes from Otavalo, hire a taxi ($5) or hike there along
the dirt road from Otavalo to Lagunas de Mojanda. Ask for “el vía a
las lagunas de Mojanda,” or contact local tour outfitters (see pages
135-37). Camping is possible on the south side of Laguna Mojanda.
There is also a very basic backpackers' refuge. Checkwith local outfit-
ters on security issues. It's best to hire a guide.