Category: Ecuador

Itinerary: 2 days in Quito

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Quito is Ecuador’s capital. It sits high up in the mountains and has beautiful colonial architecture in a serene setting. It’s likely you will spend a day or two here if you are going anywhere else in Ecuador so take your time, enjoy it, it doesn’t feel like a big city until you see the urban jungle sprawled out from high up Vulcan Pinchincha.

GENERAL INFO

Getting there and away:

Quito has multiple connections to many other locations in Ecuador and beyond as big cities do. We arrived in Quito via Otavalo (3 hours by bus to the North Terminal) and left on a bus to Banos (4 hours by bus from the South Terminal). The distances in Ecuador are refreshingly short after Colombia.

Note: Both regional bus stations are approximately 30 minutes from Centro Historico in opposite directions. Make sure you know which one you will need to take a bus from and taxi to the correct one (The taxi should cost approximately 7 dollars). Quitumbe is the South Terminal and Carcelen is the North Terminal.

Accommodation:

 I recommend Community Hostel in Quito – they have a great vibe, organise lots of activities and serve up a wonderful breakfast! You can book through booking.com.

Food:

Enjoy the great free breakfast at the hostel, look for a restaurant that does a cheap ‘Almuerzo’ set menu for lunch and then you can splash out on dinner. Calle La Rhonda has nice restaurants and bars.

Top Tips:

  1. Despite using USD Ecuadorian coins are unique to the country and useless outside of Ecuador so try to use your coins up as tips etc.
  2. Centro Historico (and many other parts of Quito) are not safe at night. Be careful – wander in the daytime and at night stick to lighted streets and get restaurants to call a taxi home for you. 

DAY 1

If its a clear day, take a taxi to the TelerifiQuo which is the cable car up to Vulcan Pinchincha (swap your mornings around if the weather is bad as you need a nice clear day for this). The Telerifiquo opens at 8am, costs approx $9 USD and takes 10 minutes to reach the top. The cable car offers beautiful views over the city and there are a few photo opportunities – a swing looking out over the city and some tame llamas. You can also do a hike right up to the top of the volcano (be aware you will need to allow a few extra hours if you are going to do this hike and only go if the weather is very calm – the conditions can get dangerous up this high).

Spend the afternoon in the old city. Spots of interest include:

  1. La Iglesia de Santo Domingo (a church in the distinct ‘Quito school’ architectural style)
  2. Museo de la Ciudad which details the history of Ecuador
  3. Plaza de San Franscisco
  4. Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus
  5. Plaza Grande
  6. Basilica de Voto Nacional
  7. La Casa de La Moneda (a money museum)
  8. Calle La Rhonda (picturesque street)

Once you have toured all the key landmarks in the historical center head back to Calle La Rhonda for the evening as at night this street comes alive with food, artisans, games and music. The street itself is safe so you can wander up and down enjoying the atmosphere and get dinner and drinks.

DAY 2

 In the morning, get up early and wander the Mercado Central to experience the morning hustle and bustle and then taxi to Capilla del Hombre Art Gallery. This gallery explores the suffering of indigenous and poor people in Ecuador and the building overlooks the city. Allow 2 hours to explore here. Entry includes a free tour in English. From here, you can have a wander around the La Floresta neighbourhood which is filled with art galleries and eateries and stop for lunch.

In the afternoon, head to Mitad del Mundo. You can get transport here from Community Hostel whether or not you are staying here – the transport will take you to both main ecuator sites. Although neither site is exactly on the ecuator its still a fun trip and photo spot. Take your passport as you can get it stamped with a souvenir stamp here.

Erika xx

Itinerary: 24 Hours in Otavalo

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Otavalo is an easy breezy mountain town. There’s not a lot to do here but relax! You can choose to stay a while and rest from your tough adventures but you should definitely visit for at least an overnight to enjoy what Otavalo has to offer.

GENERAL INFO

Getting there and away:

The bus station in Otavalo is right in the centre of town which takes away all of the hassles of getting to your accomodation – you can just walk.

Buses leave regularly in both directions – the trip to Tulcan (to cross the border into Colombia) takes 3 hours but can often get stopped by police so allow extra time. The bus to Quito takes 2 hours. Both ways have amazing views so best to travel during the day!

Accommodation:

We recommend Hostal La Rosa which you can book through Booking.com. It is very centrally located and comfortable.

Top Tip:

If you have some extra time Otavalo is a great town to just wander around. It’s safe, small and quaint plus its surrounded by some gorgeous scenery.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

  1. The indigenous market in Otavalo is the largest of its kind in South America and is definitely the largest in Ecuador. It’s very centrally located in Otavalo and so theres no need to travel to see it – just walk right out of your hotel and you will be there. Best to go to this market early. Also, its more of a photo/sightseeing opportunity than the best place to purchase souvenirs: there are a few unique items but its best not to try to buy Alpaca products here as many are fake (unless this is the only market you are visiting in South America then you will have to take the chance!).
    Early in the AM is the best time to visit and the market closes up around 4pm.

2. Hiking around Cuicocha Lake is a wonderful activity in Otavalo. This is an easy hike that helps you to get used to the higher South American altitudes around an unbelievably picturesque lake. You can probably fit this in in an afternoon after the market if you are fit – if not I would allow a day so that you don’t feel too rushed. See my post on Hiking Lake Cuicocha here for more practical info.

Erika xx

Hiking Lake Cuicocha

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Lake Cuicocha is a picturesque lake in the northern mountains of Ecuador. There is a relatively easy, beautiful hike here that goes all the way around the lake. I highly recommend this even if you aren’t the greatest hiker or if you are training to do some hikes in the higher altitudes of South America. The Lake Cuicocha hike varies from 3100 to 3500 metres above sea level as you go around and takes 4-5 hours at a very slow pace.

Top Tip for Lake Cuicocha:

Take it easy! Theres no rush to get to where you are going here. Start early in the day if you are worried about your fitness levels and you will definitely make it around the lake before dark. The signs on site say the hike takes 4-5 hours but we easily did it in 3.5 hours with LOTS of picture stops and rest breaks. Chill out in the serene landscape.

Where to stay:

We stayed in Otavalo as we wanted to see the indigenous market here but you could also stay in Cotacachi which is closer to the lake. We recommend We recommend Hostal La Rosa in Otavalo which you can book through Booking.com. It is very centrally located and comfortable.

Getting there and away:

You can get to Lake Cuicocha by taking a bus from Otavalo bus station to Cotocachi which is nearer the lake. Once in Cotocachi you can take a taxi to the lake for approx. $7 USD one way. You can arrange for the taxi to come back when you have finished the hike but lots of taxi’s frequent the area so it shouldn’t be a problem if you don’t have one arranged to pick you up. The whole trip from Otavalo to the lake should only take an hour or so. Just do this in reverse to get back to Otavalo.

Getting around:

I suggest trekking clockwise around the lake as the trailhead starts about 2km up the road from the visitors centre where the taxi will drop you off and the last thing you want to do is walk along a road with no view at the end of your long hike. but either way is fine!

Food:

Take food with you – there is a restaurant at the trailhead but most likely you will want to picnic on your way and take in the incredible views. Plus its always key to take snacks and water with you in case you are hiking longer than expected.

What to expect:

A nice easy hike with great views of the lake and the mountains beyond – well worth an afternoon’s adventure. Enjoy!

Erika xx

Crossing the border into Ecuador from Colombia

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The border from Colombia to Ecuador is known as a relatively dangerous one, however it is also a convenient way to travel between the two countries for those doing a long South America journey. Many people who want to visit both Las Lajas Sanctuary and Otavalo will find that this is much more convenient than flying between the two countries despite the long journey’s involved in travelling overland.

Ipiales is a necessary stop to cross the border, but it is like any other border town – don’t hang around here there is nothing to do and its not safe. Stay overnight if you need to as the border crossing does take a while and you will likely have travelled quite a distance to get to the border. Allow plenty of time to get over the border in either direction.

Top Tip for crossing the border:

Visit Las Lajas Sanctuary (a stunning church surrounded by lush scenery) while you are here. It’s a must-see sight – see my blog post here.

Where to stay:

I don’t have any specific recommendations for places to stay in Ipiales other than I recommend you don’t if you can help it. BUT as always you should be able to find something good on Booking.com as they have a few passable options. I suggest spending a bit more to get a nicer hotel here as you won’t want to leave it while you are in Ipiales and also suggest booking something with a restaurant as there is nowhere nice to eat in Ipiales.

Getting there and away:

Ipiales is a 12 hour bus journey from Cali (the closest city in Colombia of any interest to tourists) or if you are arriving from Ecuador it’s a an approx. 3 hour journey from Otavalo in Ecuador (not including time spent crossing the border).

To get to the border from Ipiales you just need to take a taxi or a colectivo – your hotel can call a taxi for you or let you know where to catch the colectivo from. The border crossing is called Frontera/Rumichaca so you will want one heading in this direction.

Preparation needed:

Before you head to the border spend all your Colombian money – purchase water and snacks for the bus journey into Otavalo. I recommend not buying anything at the border crossing as it is all overpriced.

Also check the exchange rate for COP to US Dollars before you leave for the border so you know what a good rate is as you will likely need to change money at the border (they can sometimes rip you off – make sure you know how much you should receive and count your bills). 

What to expect:

If arriving at the Colombian side of the border, turn left to queue at the Colombian Immigration office to get your exit stamp. Take the right gate to leave the immigration office and head towards the bridge (only a short walk).

On the Ecuadorean side of the bridge turn right and head towards their immigration office. Get in this line to get an entry stamp – you will be asked to leave your big bags outside.Turn right out of the office and follow the road across to a carpark – here a collectivo will take you to Tulcan Terminal (15 min trip from the border).

Allow a few hours for this border crossing process due to queues. Also, there is no fee to enter or exit so do not pay anyone. Buses leave regularly to Otavalo from Tulcan and take 3 hours. There are great mountain views on the road. Also the buses often get stopped by police so be prepared for this. 

Let me know if it all goes smoothly for you and if any of this information is out of date!

Erika xx