Airport Otavalo

Markets of Otavalo lake Cuicocha, Cotacachi and back to Otavalo

the “Route of the sacred places”: from Otavalo to Peguche waterfall and the lookout on the hill of “Lechero” three, it will be a riding school and introduction to the techniques that we will use on the next days. Afternoon transfer to Chachimbiro complex and lodge there.

First day of the 4 day Horse back ride to Piñán: The community of Piñán, the paramo and lakes that surround it, are the scene for this fantastic adventure. Your visit will help to preserve this delicate ecosystem and to improve the life of the community. Our guides are members of the “Committee of tourism of Piñán” (member of the project Chachimbiro) and most of the benefits go to the community development project of Piñán. The horses utilized during the ride belong to the “Committee of community development of Piñan” and the money that we pay for them goes to a communal investment fund.

During our journey we will cross diverse ecosystems, among them being the Andean forest, paramo (moor), high paramo and cloud forest.  Our objective during this trip is to allow you to learn from them when passing from one to other, through an intimate contact with nature and the people that we will meet.

From the village Cochapata to Piñán leaving in the morning for the complex of Chacimbiro, it is about an 8 hour ride.

Cavalcade in Piñán community, lagoon of Donoso and region

We start by a journey of 3 hours on horseback, leaving from the thermal complex of Chacimbiro (one hour north of Otavalo). During the first hour we will ascend up to the viewpoint. Then we will cross the high area of the micro basin where there are forest remainders and finally we will return to the complex by the north slope of the basin. In the complex after lunch we will enjoy a delicious thermal bath and the facilities of this amazing thermal ecotourism centre.

Visiting Lake Cuicocha, nestled in the crater of a volcano, is in itself something spectacular.  Going at a relaxed pace by horse lets us have a peek at the daily life of the people in the distinct communities along the way to the lake.  The highlight of our trip, once we reach the top of the look-out point overseeing the lake, will be lunch , after a short jaunt,  in a restaurant typical of the area with a priceless view of the lake.  It is really an unforgettable trip.

Within 4 hours along our exclusive route, we will encounter diverse and uniquely beautiful ecosystems.  We will pass from one to another in a short time and our efforts will culminate with a spectacular view of the Mojanda lakes, at 4000 m, turning this trip into a fantastic and surprising adventure. We will then hike around the top of the lake for 40 minutes before returning to Otavalo by the same route.

This tour will show you some of the sacred places of Otavalo's culture and you will be able to admire an amazing view of the city of Otavalo and its surroundings. We will visit “Lechero de Pucara", a very sacred tree that is hundreds of years old, San Pablo Lake and the sacred waterfall of Peguche. All these magic places will transmit to you their special energy.

The community of Piñán, the paramo and lakes that surround it, are the setting for this fantastic adventure, your visit will help to preserve this delicate ecosystem and to improve the life of the community. Our guides are members of the “Committee of tourism of Piñán” (member of the project Chachimbiro) and most of the benefits go to the community development project of Piñán. The horses utilized during the ride belong to the “Committee of community development of Piñan” and the money that we pay for them goes to a communal investment fund.
During our journey we will cross diverse ecosystems among them Andean forest, paramo (moor), high paramo and cloud forest.  To learn from them when passing from one to other, to be in intimate contact with the nature and people it is our objectives during this trip.