Ecuador Travel

Mountain Biking Mojanda

Overview

Myth and legend surrounds the Mojanda Lakes, which are located just 17 kilometers to the south of the market town of Otavalo. There are three lakes in total. One lake is called Caricocha (“man lake”) and another Huarmicocha (“woman lake”). Legend says that an Inca prince and princess were not allowed to get married, so they jumped into the crater at Mojanda. Following this, the two lakes were formed from the lovers and this is why they are next to each other. In addition to the man and woman lakes, there is also Yanacocha, or “black lake.” The lakes are located in a páramo region and are set at an altitude of around 3,500 meters.

The Mojanda lakes are a popular area for hiking in Ecuador. It is possible to hike around the lake itself, though it is not possible to easily do this in one day. The road between the lake and the town itself is a nice walk. It is cobbled the whole way and has great views over the valleys, passing through the villages.

The more popular hiking option here is to hike and scramble up Fuya Fuya. This extinct volcano stands at around 4260 meters high at the summit. The hike begins where the road to the Mojanda lakes pretty much ends, from the lake’s edge. From here, hikers can take the two to three hour walk and scramble up to the peak. If it is a clear day, the views from the top are spectacular. On a clear day, it is possible to see as far as Colombia to the north and Cotopaxi and beyond to the south.

There is also the possibility of doing a shorter walk. To take this route, travelers can head to the top of the first hill that can be seen on the left when facing the lake from the parking area. The trail is steep and heads upward from the lake’s edge. There is a ridge that can be followed by hikers who reach the top. This takes just thirty minutes or so to get to the top. There are a number of different trails from here back to the lakeside.

Other activities at the Lagunas de Mojanda include fishing in the lake, horseback riding and bird watching. Or, the visitor can simply hang out for a while, taking in the amazing scenery. There is also the possibility of camping overnight for those who want to stay for a while longer than just a day trip.

It is worth bearing in mind that it can get quite chilly in this area. The area is much more exposed to the elements than Otavalo, the closest town of any size. Travelers who plan on being at Mojanda for more than a few minutes should make sure that they have warm clothes with them and waterproof gear to protect against the elements.

Highlights of the Mojanda Lakes

Fuya Fuya climbing – one of the biggest attractions of the Mojanda Lakes area is the climb up the peak called Fuya Fuya. At some points, the hike is just a steep walk. At other stages, the climb is more of a scramble, where it is necessary for climbers to pull themselves up using the strong páramo grasses for leverage.

Fishing – these tranquil lakes are an excellent location for those who want to try their hand at fishing. This quiet and peaceful area allows novices and experts to get in a good day of fishing, which is very relaxing in this remote area. Lucky visitors may be able to catch a trout or two and get it cooked up for their dinner.

Hiking – the Mojanda Lakes area offers a number of different opportunities for hiking, including the chance to hike on the trail around the lake itself. Those who want to do this may consider taking a tent and camping, as it is not really possible to get around the entire lake in just one day.

Photography – the area of the Mojanda Lakes is breathtakingly beautiful and affords photographers the chance to get some great shots of the surroundings. In particular, if the weather is clear, it is possible to see for miles and miles, and when the weather is sunny, the lake glistens several different shades of blue.

Birdwatching – at this altitude, keen birdwatchers might spot the Caracara, eagles or owls. Very lucky visitors might get to see the mighty Andean Condor swooping around over their heads.

Mountain biking – another popular and common pursuit in the Mojanda Lakes area is mountain biking. There are a number of different trails that are suitable for biking, in addition to the bumpy road down from the lake itself. Biking in such a remote wilderness is a real adventure for the traveler.

Getting There

The Mojanda Lakes are located approximately 17 kilometers to the south of Otavalo. To get there, the visitor should take a bus from Quito to Otavalo at the northern bus terminal at Carcelen. This will cost approximately $2. The journey to Otavalo from Carcelen takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The bus will end its journey at Otavalo’s Terminal Terrestre (bus terminal). Visitors that do this will need to then take a bus or taxi onward to the Mojanda Lakes.

From Otavalo, a taxi to the lake will cost $12 to $15. Those who want the taxi to wait for them while they hike will have to pay approximately $7 per hour more for this service.

Some visitors might choose to take a taxi to the lakes from Otavalo, and then to walk back from the lakes, downhill. This option is done better in a group, because of occasional robberies along the route. Walking up to the lakes from Otavalo is a significant hike of five to seven hours. There is no transportation available from the top for the return journey. Those who want to do this and have transportation back down to Otavalo will need to arrange transportation in advance that will collect them from the parking lot at the lake edge.