Northern Ecuadorian Andes Loop

This is a well rounded and complete itinerary of the Northern Andes and includes a visit to an Indigenous market, a train ride, natural history, many cultural encounters, visits to historical haciendas, and picturesque countryside. We offer two different Northern Andes tours.

Option 1 – Otavalo-Peguche-Cotacachi-San Antonio de Ibarra-Reserva ecológica Ángel

Day 1: Early departure from Quito driving through stunning mountain scenery towards Otavalo; first visiting Calderon, famous for their bread-dough figures, then onto the colourful Indigenous Otavalo market: which features some of the finest woven products in the region including rugs, ponchos, sweaters, wall hangings, shawls, blankets and a wide variety of local arts and crafts.

We will visit a weaver in the village of Peguche; learn about her techniques and way of life before heading to Cotacachi, a town famous for its leatherwork; then onto San Antonio de Ibarra, village where woodcarving is a way of life.

Lunch will be at a historical hacienda and overnight at the recently renovated Piman Hacienda, rich in cultural heritage and tucked into an oasis-like valley surrounded by arid mountains. (Lunch not included in price)

Day 2: After breakfast we journey north up scenic roads to the Angel Ecological Reserve. Here we explore two unique ecosystems:

The Frailejon or Espeletia forest; the Frailejon is a treelike shrub with broad, gray-white, hairy leaves and yellow flowers, which can grow up to six feet and is endemic to this area of the Andes. It covers 85% of the reserve, lending the paramo or moorlands of El Angel its striking appearance.

The other is the Polylepis forest; this forest is said to be hundreds of years old and some trees over 2000 years. This area is one of the very few places on earth where this tree can be seen. Because of their low canopy, twisted growth pattern and striking red peeling bark these forests are correctly described as “bewitching”. The genus holds the world record for growing in the highest altitudes.

The reserve is also home to many lakes and a number of important wildlife species such as: marsupial frog, Andean teal, condor, carunculated caracara, American kestrel, Andean seagull, turtledove, wild rabbit, páramo fox and deer, among others.

Lunch will be at the Polylepis lodge (not included in price).

After lunch we travel to San Clemente, a small village on the hills of the Imbabura Volcano. The indigenous “Quichuas Karanquis” families who live here are mostly dedicated to agriculture; however in order to improve their quality of life, inhabitants of the village decided to receive tourists into their homes, sharing with their guests the Andean cultural ways, beliefs, philosophy, the Inca calendar and methods of planting and harvesting.

Here we have the opportunity to experience life with the indigenous families while living in their homes, sharing meals, working in the field, folkloric dances and story time.

The homes are simple, clean and tidy, with all amenities including bathrooms with hot and cold water.

Overnight at San Clemente Community. (B/D)

Day 3:  After lunch we head to Hacienda Zuleta along a very picturesque country road. Zuleta is a colonial working farm of 4,000 acres (2,000 hectares) belonging to the family of Mr. Galo Plaza, a former president of Ecuador. It was chosen as one of the world’s “Top Ten Finds” by Outside magazine and named as one of the best Ecuador Hotels by National Geographic Traveler. The mountain setting is just magical. This is an opportunity to catch a glimpse of life on a working Hacienda.

The activities available are: strolling the beautiful gardens; horseback riding; walking or biking along the trails of the hacienda; or take a ride on the horse drawn carriage around the grounds to observe the milking, the agriculture, mountain views and the tranquil life of the community, visit the small cheese factory and the embroidery co-operative and the Condor Huasi Project to see the Andean Condor. Good chance of spotting the Spectacled Bear on one of the hikes.

Overnight at Zuleta (B/L/D)

Day 4: Enjoy all the activities Zuleta has to offer before returning to Quito.

Option 2 –  Train ride Otavalo-Peguche-Cotacachi-San Antonio de Ibarra-Salinas

Day 1:  Early departure from Quito driving through stunning mountain scenery towards Otavalo; first visiting Calderon, famous for their bread-dough figures, then onto the colourful Indigenous Otavalo market: which features some of the finest woven products in the region including rugs, ponchos, sweaters, wall hangings, shawls and blankets and a wide variety of local arts and crafts.

We will visit a weaver in the village of Peguche; learn about her techniques and way of life before heading to Cotacachi, a town famous for its leatherwork; then onto San Antonio de Ibarra, village where woodcarving is a way of life. Lunch will be at a historical hacienda and overnight at the recently renovated Piman Hacienda, rich in cultural heritage and tucked into an oasis-like valley surrounded by arid mountains.

Day 2: After breakfast we travel to Ibarra to board the train for Salinas. This is a fun ride on the restored railway line. From lush green valleys and towering volcanoes, the 30 kilometer trip from Ibarra to Salinas takes its passengers through landscapes that are as diverse as they are picturesque. Dancers greet the train in Salinas, entertaining tourists with music, song and traditional dances. Stop to lunch at a traditional restaurant. (not included in price)

Nearby, the Chota Valley is home to a unique cultural group here in the Andes. The Afro-Ecuadorians who live here have a lively culture of art, sculpture, distinctive cuisine, dance and the vibrant musical form known as La Bomba. Many of Ecuador’s top soccer players come from this valley of merely 20000 inhabitants.

In the afternoon we travel to San Clemente, a small village on the hills of the Imbabura Volcano. The indigenous “Quichuas Karanquis” families who live here are mostly dedicated to agriculture; however in order to improve their quality of life, inhabitants of the village decided to receive tourists into their homes, sharing with their guests the Andean cultural ways, beliefs, philosophy, the Inca calendar and methods of planting and harvesting.

Here we have the opportunity to experience life with the indigenous families while living in their homes, sharing meals, working in the field, folkloric dances and story time. The homes are simple, clean and tidy, with all amenities including private bathrooms with hot and cold water. Overnight San Clemente Community. (B/D)

Day 3: After lunch we head to Hacienda Zuleta along a very picturesque country road.

Zuleta is a colonial working farm of 4,000 acres (2,000 hectares) belonging to the family of Mr. Galo Plaza, a former president of Ecuador. It was chosen as one of the world’s “Top Ten Finds” by Outside magazine and named as one of the best Ecuador Hotels by National Geographic Traveler. The mountain setting is just magical.

This is an opportunity to catch a glimpse of life on a working Hacienda.

The activities available are: strolling the beautiful gardens; horseback riding; walking or biking along the trails of the hacienda; or take a ride on the horse drawn carriage around the grounds to observe the milking, the agriculture, mountain views and the tranquil life of the community, visit the small cheese factory and the embroidery co-operative and the Condor Huasi Project to see the Andean Condor. Good chance of spotting the Spectacled Bear on one of the hikes.

Overnight at Hacienda Zuleta. (B/L/D)

Day 4: Enjoy all the activities Zuleta has to offer before returning to Quito and ending our Northern Ecuadorian Andes Loop tour. (B/L)

• Location: Combined Cultural and Nature Tours, Otavalo and Surroundings, Quito and Surroundings.
• Duration:4 days / 3 nights
• Start / End:Quito / Quito
• Activities:Nature and wildlife viewing, cultural encounters, shopping at markets, hiking or walking, photography, train ride
• Highlights:Otavalo known for weavings and many other handicrafts, Cotacachi known for leather goods, Piman Hacienda, Angel Ecological Reserve or train ride from Ibarra to Salinas, San Clemente Comunity, Hacienda Zuleta
• Season:All year
• Included:Accommodation, bilingual guide, all activities in itinerary, meals mentioned in itinerary
• Not Included:Entrance fees to National Parks, museums, etc, tips, personal expenses, meals not mentioned in itinerary
• Prices:Price upon request