Ecuador Travel

Overview

Situated 3 km (1.9 mi) north of the city of Ibarra, Yaguarcocha Lake is one of the major lakes in the province of Imbabura in Ecuador’s Northern Highlands. The province of Imbabura is often referred to as the Province of Lakes due to the number of popular lakes that are located within its boundaries. These lakes include the Piñan lakes, the Mojanda lakes of Caricocha, Huarmicocha and Yanacocha, San Pablo lake, Cuicocha Lake and of course, Yaguarcocha lake. The lakes are located in a valley between two major volcanoes: Imbabura volcano (4,609 m/15,121 ft) and Cotacachi volcano (4,939 m/16,204 ft). All of these lakes are great places to go fishing, hunting and camping. San Pablo lake is the province’s largest lake, and it is surrounded by some indigenous communities so you are bound to see locals fishing, bathing or washing their clothing in the lake’s water.

However, Yaguarcocha lake has the biggest historical significance of all of the lakes because it was the site of a bloody massacre between the Incan army led by Huayna Capac and the indigenous Caranquis people. This mass slaughtering took place in 1495 and an estimated 50,000 people were killed during the deadly battle. Due to the intense amount of bloodshed, and the fact that many of the bodies were thrown into Yaguarcocha, the water of the lake actually turned the color red and stayed that way for some days. This is why the lake’s name, Yaguarcocha, means “blood lake” in the Quichua language.

Highlights

Many of the activities in the Yaguarcocha lake area revolve around nature and water, however, there are many cultural events to take part in and some impressive crafts market to explore within only miles of the lake.

1) Fishing: Whether it is watching the locals go about their daily routine of morning time fishing or grabbing your own fishing pole and joining in on the fun, many people enjoy sport fishing or catching their own local fish for dinner at Yaguarcocha lake.

2) Visit the auto racetrack and catch an auto race: Yaguarcocha lake is encircled by an auto racetrack, which is one of its bigger attractions. It is especially popular in September, when the majority of national and international racecar competitions take place. These purposefully coincide with the festivals in Ibarra and around that honor of the harvest and the sun.

3) Festivals of Imbabura: If you can coordinate your trip to Yaguarcocha lake with the month of September, you will be able to participate in the province-wide celebrations in many small Imbabura towns. In the first half of September, the Fiesta de Jora takes place in Cotocachi, when the alcoholic beverage chicha de jora is consumed in high quantities to praise the sun God Inti. However, all month long, traditional Andean music, dance, food and culture can be experienced and appreciated in cities like Ibarra, Oravalo and Cotacachi.

4) Experience the lake on the lake: At Yaguarcocha lake, it is possible to rent both boats and jetskis to explore Yaguarocha. Spend the day gliding or zooming your way around the lake while taking in the beautiful natural surroundings. Set amid rolling green hills, the lake has crystal-clear water and its shores are fringed with totora reeds, an endemic plant species to South America. Therefore, there are some great photo opportunities to complement the water sports.

5) Sample the region’s typical foods: After a full day of fishing, hunting, boating or hiking at Yaguarcocha lake, dig your fork into some of the province’s specialty dishes. Imbabura is known for its red meat and chicha de jora, which is a traditional Andean drink made from a fermented yellow maize (corn) called jora. Other menu staples include arrope de mora, or a thick juice made from blackberry juice, sugar and some lemon; helados de paila, or a typical ice cream made from fruit juices and egg whites; empanadas de morocho, or ground corn filled with pork and beef and then fried.

6) Visit the nearby markets: Some of Ecuador’s—and even some of South America’s—best crafts markets are located close to Yaguarcocha lake. Otavalo is located about 13 mi from Ibarra and has the biggest artisan market in South America on Saturdays. However, the local artisans display their works daily, so it is possible to visit the toned-down, less touristy markets of Otavalo other days of the week as well. Cotacachi, another nearby village that is about 5 mi from Otavalo, is known for its high-quality leather products. Therefore, while you are in the area, take advantage of the busy market-day atmospheres and shop around for some local artisan products,

Getting There

To get to Yaguarcocha lake from Quito, it is best to take a bus to the town of Ibarra. Buses leave frequently from Quito and the ride takes about three hours and costs about $3 each way. Instead of having one central bus station in Ibarra, bus companies drop passengers off at their individual offices, which are scattered throughout town. Some cooperatives that in Ibarra that have services to Quito, Otavalo and Tulcán include Supertaxis Los Lagos (Flores 924 and Sánchez Cifuentes, Parque La Merced), Trans Andina (Chica Narváez) and Expreso Turismo (Moncayo, between Flores and Vacas). From Ibarra, getting to Yaguarcocha lake is easy. Buses leave from near Oviedo at the corner of Sánchez Cifuentes about every 15 minutes. The ride cost $0.25 each way. However, it is also possible to walk to the lake from Ibarra. Follow the path heading east from Oviedo, cross the bridge and follow along the Panamerican Highway until you reach the lake.