Itinerary

Day 1:Quito- Zuleta

Private transportation with English speaking guide from Quito to Otavalo.

Excursion Otavalo Market

We will head to the town of Otavalo. This is truly one of the most interesting towns in Ecuador, where the local Kichwa indigenous culture is not only plainly visible, but in the ascendency.

The town’s famous craft market is one of the most visited sites in Ecuador, and with good reason. The market is filled with interesting colourful and sometimes rare objects and crafts. Do remember to bargain, but only if you´re interested! The market is held every day on one of the town squares at the foot of the majestic Mt. Imbabura. And to help you navigate the market, you will be given a short explanation of the market and provided with a map of the area.

As part of our day at the market we will visit the workshop of Master weaver Miguel Andrango, in the village of Agato. Miguel’s art has taken him abroad, mainly to exhibitions and fairs in the United States where the quality of his work is widely acknowledged. In the small store in the courtyard of his Tawantinsuyo workshop, the walls are covered with bright designs, most with an indigenous motif; the designs are based on Inca patterns but are the work of Miguel and his family. The workshop uses only pure wool and Alpaca; the weavers card and spin it themselves and then dye it with natural inks made from mosses (for yellow) or seeds such as ‘Achiote’(for red).

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

Cuicocha Lake and Cotacachi

Later we will drive to the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve for a visit to the Interpretation Center and a nice view of Cuicocha lagoon, a deep-blue crater lake on the lower southern flanks of Mount Cotacachi after the hike we will stop at the picturesque colonial town of Cotacachi, famous for its leatherwork.

After this visit  drive to Zuleta community, where we will spend the night with the local family who will host us.

Hostal Carmita Home Stay

Included:  transportation , English speaking guide , entrance fees , excursion , lunch , dinner (no drinks)

Day 2:Zuleta

Morning exploring the community of Zuleta, later we will come back to Carmita’s place to get ready for cooking class.

Lunch will be prepared in a local’s home that kindly accepted to share his home and life with us and give us a cooking class! We will be using the different ingredients we have been learning about for the past few days.

During the afternoon, at Zuleta community you may explore the crops, feed baby calves, count sheep, talk to the vaqueros, enjoy the embroidery museum.

Hostal Carmita Home Stay

Included:   breakfast, transportation , English speaking guide , entrance fees , excursion , lunch , dinner (no drinks)

Day 3:Otavalo- Quito

Condor Project

Today after brekfast, we will hike around one hour to the hacienda Zuleta, where we will visit condor reintroduction project, stopping along the way to see some pre-Inca mounds.

At the Zuleta hacienda, once home of an Ecuadorian President, we will hike for two hours in the spectacular Andean mountain scenery to the hacienda’s condor reintroduction project, stopping along the way to see some pre-Inca mounds. The hacienda is a 4,000-acre working hacienda with general agriculture, forestation and dairy farming operations.

After the visit we will leave the lodge for the journey back to Quito.

Included:  breakfast, English speaking guide , transportation , excursion , lunch