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Otavalo

Otavalo and the surrounding villages are famous for their dazzling textiles and intricate handicrafts, which are on proud display at the famous indigenous market held on an enormous scale each Saturday in the central ‘Poncho Plaza’.

Observe proud Otavalenos dressed in traditional attire bartering with tourists over stalls piled high with a vast array of goods, while children play happily at their feet and artisans exchange their earnings for food staples and livestock. It is a sight to behold and a photographer’s delight. Irresistible souvenirs include quality woollen blankets, scarves, sweaters, tapestries, ponchos, jewellery and embroidered clothing. Leatherwork comes from the nearby village of Cotacachi and beautiful woodcarvings from San Antonio de Ibarra.

A little more about Otavalo

The Imbabura province offers a host of scenic trekking or horse riding possibilities from the majestic torrents of Peguche Waterfall to the picturesque crater lake of Cuicocha, and the excellent bird watching opportunities at Mojanda Lakes. Make your Ecuador tour more memorable by staying in a local hacienda, a colonial farming estate turned into a beautiful, secluded hotel with period decor and local home grown produce.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

Horse Ride to Cuicocha Lake

Saddle up and ride over the Andes towards a crater lake that lies at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Hike to Peguche Waterfall

Discover the 18-metre-tall Peguche Waterfall. It is of great religious significance to the locals and is a wonderful spot for cooling off after a hike.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Peruse the Otavalo Craft Market

Shop for artisan carvings, colourful llama wool blankets, ponchos, jewellery and freshly baked breads at the largest craft market in South America.

Birding at Mojanda Lake

Journey to Mojanda Lake in the summit caldera of the inactive stratovolcano. Look out for Andean condors and chestnut-winged cinclodes.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Discover more experiences

Idea

Ecuador

Amazon, Cloud Forest & Avenue of Volcanoes

The ultimate medley of mainland Ecuador’s most iconic destinations, from the Amazon Rainforest to the Avenue of the Volcanoes, this journey by road, by plane and by canoe has a truly exploratory feeling due to its remarkable wildlife-spotting and interaction with indigenous…

12 days from £3,050pp

Local, Cotopaxi, Avenue of Volcanoes, Ecuador

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Idea

Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands by Land

This island-hopping, land-based adventure through the Galapagos Islands is ideally suited to wandering wildlife-lovers that prefer to keep their feet on solid ground staying at a selection of unique island properties with irresistible features. While sailing is the most traditional way to experience…

9 days from £4,800pp

Family, South Plaza Island, Galapagos Islands

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Idea

Galapagos Islands

Sail the Galapagos Islands

A transformative sailing voyage around the world’s most treasured archipelago, staying aboard anything from a whimsical sailboat to a state-of-the-art catamaran, an exploration of the Galapagos Islands is the quintessential adventure for wildlife-loving wayfarers.

9 days from £4,300pp

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Idea

Ecuador

Sail the Ecuadorian Amazon

This unique journey, which combines a remarkable sailing voyage through the Amazon Rainforest with a road journey through the volcanic mainland of Ecuador, is ideally suited to those seeking an exploratory (yet luxurious) wildlife adventure.

12 days from £4,850pp

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Need Inspiration?
Browse our Ecuador holiday ideas.

Our Ecuador experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Idea

Ecuador

Amazon, Cloud Forest & Avenue of Volcanoes

12 days from £3,050pp

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands by Land

9 days from £4,800pp

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Galapagos Islands

Sail the Galapagos Islands

9 days from £4,300pp

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Idea

Ecuador

Sail the Ecuadorian Amazon

12 days from £4,850pp

View Cruise

View all holiday ideas View all cruises

Where to stay

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Hacienda Piman £££££

Ecuador
Farmstead and Ranches

Tucked into an oasis-like valley between folds of arid mountains in the northern Ecuadorian Andes, Hacienda Piman is a peaceful historic retreat property that cements its traditional status through delicious home cooking, peaceful gardens and warm hosts. A base for exploring the rich cultural and natural heritage of one of Ecuador’s most captivating regions, this pretty hacienda has been lovingly restored and is one of the few haciendas with an outdoor swimming pool embedded into its garden patio. Vintage furniture adds to the discreet charm of the thoughtfully-restored colonial mansion, which is set in twelve acres of lush gardens.

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Hacienda Zuleta £££££

Ecuador
Farmstead and Ranches

Dating from the late 16th century, Hacienda Zuleta is a colonial working farm belonging to the family of Galo Plaza Lasso, a former president of Ecuador. Surrounded by the spectacular Ecuadorian Andes the hacienda has 17 beautifully decorated rooms with antiques, historical family portraits, open fireplaces and views of the gardens or mountains. Some rooms have a private garden or terrace. The 4000-acre estate is steeped in history and is still a working hacienda, farming cattle and sheep and producing various crops as well as cheese and milk.

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Hacienda Cusin £££££

Ecuador
Farmstead and Ranches

A charming 17th-century farmhouse near the village of San Pablo de Lago, south of the Andean highland town of Otavalo, Hacienda Cusin is an enchanting restored estate furnished with antiques and local handicrafts. Overlooking 40 acres of farmland, ancient trees and distant snow-capped mountains, the charming hacienda features pretty cobblestone courtyards, stone towers and secret gardens festooned with foxgloves and hummingbirds. Accommodations are scattered throughout the estate and are comprised of 25 classic rooms, suites and garden cottages, each with their own distinct character.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

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Paul Bird

From quaint Andean villages and colourful markets to staggering volcanic landscapes and the Amazon Rainforest, Paul has explored the length and breadth of Ecuador.

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01285 880 980

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John Faithfull

John rode the railways of Ecuador on the carriage roof before it was outlawed, but still recommends a jaunt along the Devil’s Nose – an engineering marvel that can still be enjoyed from inside a carriage.

Talk with our experts

01285 880 980

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Roxy Dukes

I love to squeeze as much out of my day as possible. An outdoors fanatic, I love to delve into harsh environments having summited numerous mountains and trail running into the unknown whenever I get the chance – whether at home or overseas. Funnily enough, it didn’t start like that. It took a few years for the burning fire of adventure to truly take light with my eyes opened by the adventures travel could afford.

Talk with our experts

01285 880 980

Start planning your trip

01285 880 980

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As usual all aspects of this trip went like clockwork, even thought we were in South America where timings can be different to other parts of the world! This we put down to the work done by Paul and his knowledge of the country.

Destination: Ecuador
Travel Expert: Paul

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Otavalo

A little more about Otavalo