Otavalo is a beautiful Andean town populated mostly by the native indigenous peoples of the area. It is surrounded by the volcanoes: Cotacachi, Imbabura, and Mojanda. It also has a nearby lake called Lago San Pablo that offers a handful of water sports & recreational activities. Because the water is pretty cold year round, wearing a wetsuit is recommended. Otavalo is most well known for the Indigenous market in the central Plaza de Ponchos, where they sell colorful textiles, handcrafts, jewelry, Indigenous art, and much more. Near the market there is an Obraje Museum that includes textile exhibits and other ancient Indigenous made artifacts like wicker baskets and pots. Or, you could take an extended trip with Adventure Life and visit Otavalo along with the Amazon and Galapagos Islands. Contact our travel experts to plan your ideal trip to Ecuador today!
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.