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Imbabura Attractions
• Imbabura Lakes
• Peguche Waterfall
• Cuicocha and Cotacachi Cayapas National Park
• Yaguarcocha Lake
• Chachimbiro - Urcuqui termal springs
• Otavalo
The Panamerican Highway winds up north from the capital city of Quito, the first destination is one of the most popular attractions in Ecuador, Otavalo city, cherished for its colorful Saturday artisan market.
One of the best parts about Otavalo is that is so close to a number of other northern Andean highlights. Otavalo is an especially good base for travelers interested in taking day hikes around the many lakes of the Imbabura province, including the lakes of San Pablo, Cuicocha lake in the extinct volcano crater and the three lakes of Mojanda. Don’t miss the famous Yaguarcocha lake, where Inca warriors allegedly tossed so many of their killed enemies that the waters turned red—hence the name, which means the lake of blood in Quechua.
Only about two and a half hours outside of Quito is the so-called leather town of Cotacachi, nestled within the expansive Cuicocha lake & Cotacachi Cayapas National Park. Also not far from Otavalo is the small town of Peguche, known for relaxing vibes, beautiful nearby waterfall and excellent bird watching opportunities.
Roughly thirty kilometers north of Otavalo is the cosmopolitan city of Ibarra, known affectionately as the cradle of Helados de Paila (handmade ice-cream or sorbet and still sold in the markets today) was first made in Ibarra during Incan times (but not by Incas; by the native indigenous), using snow or ice from the nearby Imbabura Volcano (which is no longer snow bound). Using a large bronze pan surrounded by ice shavings, the juices of various fruits are stirred into the pan to freeze. Ibarra is pleasant to stroll through, with an abundance of colonial architecture and shady palm-lined plazas. Visitors should not miss the medicinal Chachimbiro hot springs, located just east of the city near the small town of Urcuqui.
Otavalo is an especially good base for travelers interested in taking day hikes around the many lakes of the Imbabura province...
Carchi Attractions
• Chota River Valley
Stretching from Northern Imbabura and into the Carchi province (35 km from Ibarra and 89km from Tulcán) is the Chota River Valley, an area primarily inhabited by the descendents of 17th century African slaves. Although a river runs through the area, the land is low, dry and full of cacti. With so much sun, the vibe in the valley is almost tropical, with a number of hotels offering palm surrounded swimming pools. The people of the valley, known for their marimba dancing and bomba music, harvest crops like fruits, beans, yucca, potatoes and sugar cane—the most lucrative product in the area.
Just north of the valley is the town of El Ángel, the access point into the El Ángel Ecological Reserve, which covers 15,715 hectares of protected paramo landscape. The reserve is an excellent location for hiking and watching for iconic Andean wildlife. Nearby is the Gruta de la Paz (Grotto of Peace) cave where visitors come to pay bath in hot springs and pay tribute to Nuestra Señora de la Paz (our lady of peace).
The small town of San Gabriel, located in the Carchi province, is a good base to explore nearby natural attractions that are less frequented by modern tourists. One such attraction is the Bosque de los Arrayanes (Arryan Forest), where visitors can pass the day birdwatching, or just wandering through this unique forest of aromatic and delicate fruit bearing trees. Two waterfalls known as the Cascadas de Paluz are also nearby, located just four kilometers from town. The higher of the two falls is nearly 60 meters tall.
The last stop before the crossover to Colombia is the border town of Tulcán, the capital of the Carchi province. And visitors should be certain to check out the mystical Tulcán cemetery and topiary garden with pre-Columbian totems and figurines, artistically trimmed shrubberies and ornately decorated mausoleums.
