Day 1: Quito – Otavalo – Ibarra – Salinas – Magdalena
Enjoy a scenic journey to Ecuador’s Imbabura province, which features views of avocado & rose producing valleys & snow-capped volcanoes. Other highlights of the drive include learning about the formation of the Andes Mountains. Arrive in the town of Otavalo & visit its famous market, which features local, handmade clothes, jewelry, & other various goods made from wool & cotton. Afterward, head for the railway station in Ibarra. Descend from high altitudes on a train ride to Salinas. Enjoy lunch in this small Ecuadorian village before traveling to Magdalena, home to the indigenous Andean people, the Karanki. Learn about the native’s day-to-day activities, which include milking cows, making handmade embroidered goods, & plowing fields with oxen.
Day 2: Magdalena – Cotacachi – Cuicocha Crater Lake – Quito
This morning, discover the beauties of Magdalena on a horseback ride. Afterward, travel to the town of Cotacachi, significant for its production of leather goods. Enjoy browsing the variety of jackets, bags, & other quality leather items before heading to Cuicocha Crater Lake. Learn about the volcanic eruption that led to the lake’s formation, & enjoy amazing views of the surrounding mountains before returning to Quito.