Highlights
- Climb up Quito's El Panecillo for spectacular views of the city
- Shop for locally made handicrafts in Otavalo's famous market
- Walk along the edge of the picturesque Laguna de Cuicocha
- See rare endemic species like toucans in the cloud forests of Valle de Intag
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Quito, Historic City Tour | Quito |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Otavalo, Paddle Laguna de San Pablo & Visit Otavalo Market | Otavalo |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Apuela via Cotacachi Town & Laguna de Cuicocha | Apuela |
| Day 4 | Hiking & Coffee in Valle de Intag | Apuela |
| Day 5 | Handicrafts & Waterfalls in Peguche, Transfer to Quito, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Quito, Historic City Tour
Welcome to Quito! You'll arrive at the airport and meet your driver, who will transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Ecuador's capital sits at a lofty 9,350 feet (2,850 m) and welcomes visitors with its picturesque plazas nestled between mountain peaks. After taking some time to get settled in, meet a local guide and embark on a private walking tour of Quito's colonial center to see firsthand why it's listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Admire the intricate stone carvings of Iglesia La Compañía and the Baroque splendor of La Basílica del Voto Nacional. Continue to La Ronda, once a pre-Columbian walking trail and now a romantic pedestrian street full of cafés, live music venues, and eclectic shops. After all that walking around, you'll take a break at El Panecillo, one of the city's most prominent hills, capped with the iconic Virgin of El Panecillo statue. Your guide will share some local recommendations for dinner tonight before parting ways.
Day 2: Transfer to Otavalo, Paddle Laguna de San Pablo & Visit Otavalo Market
This morning, your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Quito and take you 1.5 hours north to Otavalo, an Andean town in the northern province of Imbabura. Your day of adventure starts when you arrive at Laguna de San Pablo near Otavalo. Receive a safety talk from your guide, then step into a kayak and start paddling across the beautiful lake, enjoying views of local towns and the impressive Imbabura volcano.
After approximately one hour of paddling, you'll continue to the famous Otavalo Market, one of South America's most important traditional markets. Here, the Indigenous peoples of the surrounding area gather to trade animals, handicrafts, fresh vegetables, and fruits. Stroll through the stalls, purchase beautifully made handicrafts, and try some local street food like salted mango or fritada con mote (fried pork with hominy).
Day 3: Transfer to Apuela via Cotacachi Town & Laguna de Cuicocha
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Meet your driver this morning for another 1.5-hour transfer to the town of Apuela, making several scenic stops along the way. Begin in the picturesque mountain town of Cotacachi, nestled between the volcanoes of Cotacachi and Imbabura. Explore the pretty streets, shop for the leatherworks the town is known for, and enjoy a cup of coffee in one of the many charming cafés.
Then, head to the beautiful Laguna de Cuicocha at the foot of Cotacachi. It was formed by a massive eruption approximately 3,100 years ago and contains two forested islands in the middle of the lake. With your guide, follow the trail along the crater rim that leads to various viewpoints. If you're up for it, you can hike around the lake, which takes between four and five hours. After the lake, your driver will take you to the mountain town of Apuela in the lush green Valle de Intag, where you'll spend the night.
Day 4: Hiking & Coffee in Valle de Intag
Wake up this morning in the Valle de Intag, a beautiful, biodiverse, and off-the-beaten-path destination in the Ecuadorian cloud forest. It's part of the South American Chocó Biological Reserve, one of the most biologically important zones in the world. Meet your guide for a morning hike in the woods, and keep your eyes open for toucans, mountain tapirs, jaguars, and spectacled bears, along with various flowers, trees, hummingbirds, and insects.
Today's afternoon excursion features picturesque landscapes, scenic farms, and Ecuador's coffee culture. The valley is known for its coffee production and is home to many small coffee farms that are part of the AACRI organization (the region's coffee cooperative). While driving through the valley, you might see coffee beans drying by the streets or beside small houses.
Visiting one of these farms, you'll learn more about how coffee is grown in the region and how important it is to local agriculture. Afterward, visit a coffee processing site to see how coffee is weighed, examined, and roasted. Then, sample some of the best coffee varieties from this area.
Day 5: Handicrafts & Waterfalls in Peguche, Transfer to Quito, Depart
Your Ecuadorian adventure draws to a close today, but first, you'll meet your driver for a two-hour visit to the charming town of Peguche. Visit the local artisans, such as weavers or instrument makers, then take a short hike to see the picturesque Peguche Waterfall, an Indigenous ceremonial site. Once you finish hiking near the waterfall, your driver will transfer you to Quito and the airport. Safe travels, wherever the road takes you next!
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