Why come and enjoy Otavalo for a few hours? Instead, stay overnight at one of the magnificent haciendas nearby, enjoy dinner and a local peña with the participation of talented indigenous folkloric musical groups. You will not regret the decision to hang out at “The Awakening Valley” (Otavalo’s nickname) a little bit more as it is full of cultural and natural attractions that you can enjoy.

Tours Unlimited is a leading company offering personalized service to international tourists. For 15 years, it has contributed to the development and promotion of all Ecuador’s four regions. We invite you to come and enjoy Otavalo, 8 out of 10 of our clients and visitors has given an “excellent” rating to our tours dedicated to discover Otavalo and its surroundings.

We will offer a punctual, courteous and professional service adjusted to your individual needs with the objective of showing the magic of Ecuador in a safe, fun and responsible way. All of our guides are bilingual fully prepared to give you the most complete information about the local culture, history and geography; 9 out of 10 of our clients and visitors has given an “excellent” rating to our guides. If you don’t believe us, check out some of our clients’ testimonials:

“Thank you Marco for arranging this tour. We had a really great day. Very good tour guide!” Terry Shuker, Australia

“Very interesting trip-particularly the visit to the lake” Alicia Butterworth, UK

“Alexander was amazing, very friendly and showed us some really great things. I would have him again. Thank you.” Stephany Wolfe, USA

Itinerary

Day 1: We travel north from Quito, beginning with a visit to the towns of Calderón (bread-dough figures) and Cayambe, where the equatorial monument is located. We stop for a panoramic view of San Pablo lake, and have lunch at a local restaurant. We then continue our drive to visit Cuicocha crater lake and Cotacachi (leather handicrafts). Dinner and overnight at: 1) H. Cusin, 2) Pinsaqui or 3) H. La Mirage. If Friday, at night we can enjoy a local peña with the presentation of talented local indigenous folkloric musical groups.

Day 2: Morning visit to Otavalo, home of the most famous handicraft market of South America. We later visit Peguche (Indian village and cascade) and San Antonio de Ibarra (woodcarvings). Lunch at a colonial hacienda before we return to Quito is included in cost.

Note: You can know more about the haciendas offered on Day 1 in our “Attractions” section.

• - Bilingual guide English/Spanish (we also offer German and French speaking guides)
• - Transportation
• - All entrances: visit to the “Mitad del Mundo Cayambe”, “Cuicocha” lake entrance
• - Custard apple and bizcocho tasting
• - Hacienda accommodations
• - Meals

• - Lunch

Hacienda Cusin is a restored 17th century Andean estate at 8,500 feet, 90 minutes north of Quito and 20 minutes south from the famous market town of Otavalo. The Equatorial line and snowcapped Cayambe mountain are 30 minutes away. Hacienda Cusin is the true antithesis of urban life.

Services/Facilities

Hacienda Cusin is located on a land of 40 acres. Beautiful and extensive gardens form part of their exclusive decoration and architecture. It has two restaurants, two bars, conference and / or meeting rooms, access to Internet, reading room / library, two television viewing rooms with an extensive and highly selective video library, satellite TV, games room: pool, table-tennis and darts; basketball, squash and volleyball courts, kids area and artisan shop.

All 44 individually decorated guestrooms and garden cottages have private bathrooms, writing desks, and garden and mountain views. Most guestrooms have log-burning fireplaces, beamed ceilings, king-size beds and fine Andean craft furnishings.

Perched on an Andean hillside, about one and a half hour drive north of Quito, La Mirage is a contemporary resort built on the grounds of a 200 year old Hacienda.

The elegant and unique covered pool and spa area, decorated in Roman style, should not be missed. La Mirage Spa offers 17 different types of massages and treatments, including reflexology and aromatherapy.

There are 23 large, exquisitely furnished and unique rooms and suites –no two alike- all with an eclectic blend of local and European pieces of art.

Constructed in 1790, Hacienda Pinsaqui was originally a colonial textile enterprise, employing over one thousand weavers and spinners. Many of Pinsaquí's fabrics were exported to the United States in the late 1800s where they first received international recognition.

Enjoy the comfortable surroundings of Hacienda Pinsaqui as you relax among gardens and explore its historic antiques. Aside from being an enchanting place to stay in the Lake District of Imbabura, the hacienda offers all the services, and more, that you might expect: an elegant restaurant, a den with a large fireplace, and patios with views of the Imbabura Volcano.

Each room is unique and has a character of its own. There are 20 suites with fireplaces that comfortably accommodate up to five people. Within the rooms you will find sheepskin rugs, heavy blankets and pieces of traditional art. Most rooms have a view overlooking the lovely gardens behind the hacienda.