Day 1: Otavalo
Leave Quito behind and make your way to Otavalo. Stop at Miralago and capture amazing photos of Imbabura Volcano and the immense San Pablo Lake. While you enjoy the views, try the delicious traditional bizcochos (savory crackers or dry biscuits) served with dulce de leche (caramel) and local cheeseYour guide will use this time to give an interesting introduction to the local Otavalo culture.
Continue with a brief visit to Laguna de San Pablo, at the foot of the majestic Imbabura Volcano. This sacred lake offers stunning views and perfect spots for photography. Next, follow the Ancient Weavers’ Route, visiting the homes and workshops of the Kichwa Otavalo communities. Observe up close the ancestral process in which skilled hands transform threads into colorful ponchos, scarves, tapestries, and other works of art.
Next, visit the largest indigenous handicraft market in South America, where colors and textures awaken your senses. Discover the authentic spirit of the Otavalo people and their unique textiles, woven with ancestral techniques that have endured through time. If your visit falls on a Saturday, you’ll also have the chance to experience a vibrant local market full of life and tradition.
At this site, walk along a forested trail until you reach a majestic 18-meter waterfall, considered sacred by the local communities, where you can feel its energy and learn about its ancestral significance. After the hike, transfer by private vehicle to the hotel in Mindo, where you will have time to rest and prepare for the activities of the following day.
Day 2: Mindo
Start your morning surrounded by nature, enjoying the peaceful sounds of birds and views from your lodge before continuing the adventure.
Head to the Tarabita (cable car), giving you the best aerial views of the forest. After crossing, find the Sanctuary of Waterfalls, where a network of trails leads you through the wilderness to seven beautiful cascades, ideal for cooling off and recharging.
Make a stop at the butterfly garden, where you’ll have the chance to walk among hundreds of butterflies as they flutter around you, allowing for close interactions and unique photos. Learn about the fascinating process of metamorphosis, turning your visit into an interactive lesson amidst the lush vegetation.
Then, visit a cozy chocolate factory that offers tours of its production process. Walk through the facilities and learn about how this fruit is grown. Then, tasting of their products, enjoying authentic flavors.
We will stop at San Tadeo Birding (or Alambi), an essential spot during your visit. Here, you will walk along natural trails designed to observe fascinating hummingbirds up close, you can even feed them from your hand! You will also have the chance to spot many other exotic species of the cloud forest.
Finally, your guide will accompany you back to your hotel in Quito for a well-deserved rest after two days full of unforgettable experiences.
