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
Aug 5, 2026 Aug 9, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 6, 2026 Aug 10, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 7, 2026 Aug 11, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 8, 2026 Aug 12, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 9, 2026 Aug 13, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 10, 2026 Aug 14, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 11, 2026 Aug 15, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 12, 2026 Aug 16, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 13, 2026 Aug 17, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 14, 2026 Aug 18, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 15, 2026 Aug 19, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 16, 2026 Aug 20, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 17, 2026 Aug 21, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 18, 2026 Aug 22, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 19, 2026 Aug 23, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 20, 2026 Aug 24, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 21, 2026 Aug 25, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 22, 2026 Aug 26, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 23, 2026 Aug 27, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 24, 2026 Aug 28, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 25, 2026 Aug 29, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 26, 2026 Aug 30, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 27, 2026 Aug 31, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 28, 2026 Sep 1, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 29, 2026 Sep 2, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 30, 2026 Sep 3, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Aug 31, 2026 Sep 4, 2026 €1016.544828
Double room
Private Tour Prices
Start End
Aug 5, 2026 Aug 9, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 6, 2026 Aug 10, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 7, 2026 Aug 11, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 8, 2026 Aug 12, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 9, 2026 Aug 13, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 10, 2026 Aug 14, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 11, 2026 Aug 15, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 12, 2026 Aug 16, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 13, 2026 Aug 17, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 14, 2026 Aug 18, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 15, 2026 Aug 19, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 16, 2026 Aug 20, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 17, 2026 Aug 21, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 18, 2026 Aug 22, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 19, 2026 Aug 23, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 20, 2026 Aug 24, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 21, 2026 Aug 25, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 22, 2026 Aug 26, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 23, 2026 Aug 27, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 24, 2026 Aug 28, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 25, 2026 Aug 29, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 26, 2026 Aug 30, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 27, 2026 Aug 31, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 28, 2026 Sep 1, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 29, 2026 Sep 2, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 30, 2026 Sep 3, 2026 €0
Double room
Aug 31, 2026 Sep 4, 2026 €0
Double room

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