Home / South America, Ecuador Tours / Culture & Historical

5 Days Hidden Gems of Imbabura

Quito, Otavalo, Cuicocha Lake, Cotacachi, Quito,
Duration

5 day(s)

Tour type

Regular

Group size

1-16 people

Physical Level

moderate

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Tour Overview

Enjoy the hidden gems of Imbabura, known as the "Province of the Lakes" due to the number of large lakes found within the province, such as  San Pablo´s Lake  and the Cuicocha Lagoons,  

Start your trip at Quito, then visit Otavalo which features one of the most important traditional markets in South America. In the afternoon, you will visit Cuichocha Lagoon.  The next day, you will get picked up to visit the Otavalo Community where you will appreciate different workshops on the indigenous communities, learn about how totora and cotton clothes are made, and visit amazing waterfalls. Finally, horseback through a native forest, and enjoy a purification ritual experience. Return to Quito to spend the night,  And connect your flight back home. 

Activities
Explorer Hiking & Trekking Walking Tour Educational

Tour Features

Duration
5 day(s)

Max Group Size
1-16 people

Tour Code
5D IMBABURA

Departure Type
guaranteed

Tour Category
Culture & Historical

Guiding Method
Fully guided

Operated In

Age Requirement
8 - 70

Quito

Pickup Time:

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Quito

Dropoff Time:

Highlights
Quito

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Quito, the capital of Ecuador!

Arrive at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), at 2,850 meters (9,350 ft) above sea level, Ecuador’s dramatic capital city is the second highest in the world after Bolivia’s La Paz. Built on the ashes of the northern Inca capital following the 1533 Spanish conquest, Quito is nestled in a valley surrounded by majestic Andean peaks, among them the restless Volcán Pichincha.

The entire city of Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing at an altitude of 9,350 feet (2,850 m). It welcomes visitors with its picturesque plazas situated between mountain peaks. The city has an abundance of market stands, shamanistic healers, and fourth-generation hat makers, as well as a vibrant and sophisticated culinary and nightlife scene.

Your private driver will meet you for an approximately 45-minute transfer to your accommodation in the city center. 

Meals included: -

Day 2

Today, after a fantastic breakfast, you will be part of one of these incredible activities provided at the lodge. You can choose between a tour of a rose plantation where you can experience the process that Ecuadorian flowers face before to are exported. 

  • Ecuadorian flowers are known for being beautiful and colorful, in this experience you will receive a surprise gift. 

or

  • The other option to be chosen it's to be part of a cooking class, immerse in the flavors of Ecuadorian local dishes in this class, you will have the assistance of an expert who will guide you in the activity and of course you will try your delicious creation. 

Your guide will pick you up at Otavalo. Otavalo features one of the most important traditional markets in South America. Here, the indigenous people of the surrounding areas gather to trade anything from animals over handicrafts to fresh vegetables and fruits.

Take a stroll through the streets and maybe try some of the local street food such as salted mango or fritada con mote, and fried pork with cooked corn.  

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3

Be ready in the early morning your pick-up time will be at 09:00 from your hotel lobby. On this tour, you will visit 4 indigenous communities and you will be able to observe the manufacture of different handicrafts, among which stand out the manufacture of totora reed mats, along the Imbakucha Lake (San Pablo), Andean musical instruments and the processing of wool with which they make their scarves and clothing.

The tour also includes a visit to the Peguche waterfall, which is a sacred place, and a visit to the town of Cotacachi, famous for its leather products. Finally, you will visit the spectacular Cuicocha Lagoon, and you will discover the amazing legends that surround this ancestral place.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4

Your morning will begin your departure from your hotel in private transportation to an indigenous community where you will begin the horseback ride (3 hours) through a native forest to visit indigenous communities and where you will be able to observe the daily life of the indigenous families. Finishing with this activity, you will continue to perform a purification rite. The communities have the tradition of performing this rite once a year, on the summer solstice on June 22nd at midnight. However, the Yachak "shaman" will give an explanation and demonstration of the ritual that consists of changing the negative energy to positive to improve the quality of life of the person who performs it.

Return to Quito to spend the night.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5

Upon arrival at the airport, you will connect with your international flight so you can return home with some everlasting memories. See you next time!

Meals included: Breakfast

Included

4 nights of accommodation (2.5 Star Hotels)

English and Spanish-speaking national guide 

Meals as mentioned on the itinerary.

All transfers according to the program 

Excluded

International flights are not included in the tour price.

Please book your flights individually according to the itinerary.

No travel insurance is included in the price.

We recommend that you take out travel cancellation and health insurance.

Please check with your private insurance provider in advance.

Tour Booking

Travelers
Departure Month
Regular Tour Prices
Start End
Nov 5, 2025 Nov 9, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 6, 2025 Nov 10, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 7, 2025 Nov 11, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 8, 2025 Nov 12, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 9, 2025 Nov 13, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 10, 2025 Nov 14, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 11, 2025 Nov 15, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 12, 2025 Nov 16, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 13, 2025 Nov 17, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 14, 2025 Nov 18, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 15, 2025 Nov 19, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 16, 2025 Nov 20, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 17, 2025 Nov 21, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 18, 2025 Nov 22, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 19, 2025 Nov 23, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 20, 2025 Nov 24, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 21, 2025 Nov 25, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 22, 2025 Nov 26, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 23, 2025 Nov 27, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 24, 2025 Nov 28, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 25, 2025 Nov 29, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 26, 2025 Nov 30, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 27, 2025 Dec 1, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 28, 2025 Dec 2, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 29, 2025 Dec 3, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Nov 30, 2025 Dec 4, 2025 €774.5581
Double room
Private Tour Prices
Start End
Nov 5, 2025 Nov 9, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 6, 2025 Nov 10, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 7, 2025 Nov 11, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 8, 2025 Nov 12, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 9, 2025 Nov 13, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 10, 2025 Nov 14, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 11, 2025 Nov 15, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 12, 2025 Nov 16, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 13, 2025 Nov 17, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 14, 2025 Nov 18, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 15, 2025 Nov 19, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 16, 2025 Nov 20, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 17, 2025 Nov 21, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 18, 2025 Nov 22, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 19, 2025 Nov 23, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 20, 2025 Nov 24, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 21, 2025 Nov 25, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 22, 2025 Nov 26, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 23, 2025 Nov 27, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 24, 2025 Nov 28, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 25, 2025 Nov 29, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 26, 2025 Nov 30, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 27, 2025 Dec 1, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 28, 2025 Dec 2, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 29, 2025 Dec 3, 2025 €0
Double room
Nov 30, 2025 Dec 4, 2025 €0
Double room

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