Otavalo, Ecuador
30/05/2023
The subsequent morning we started into the day with some real good breakfast. It turned out we really were the only guests and we got excellent service. We had a variety of coffee, fruits and bread with different toppings.
After breakfast we packed our belongings as we were already checking out and continuing our trip that day. However, not before exploring the streets and local markets some more.
As Otavalo is not that big, it is quite walkable. We made our way from the hotel to C. Antonio José de Sucre, a street with numerous stores featuring leather goods, jewellery and clothing. I bought two leather wallets.
Following the road, we walked to Plaza de Ponchos, a big square with countless artisan vendors selling everything from ponchos through decorations and jewellery. Everyone got something they liked before reconvening at the hotel.
There, we packed our things, got into the car and took off to our next stop, Cascada de Peguche. It is an impressive waterfall located in a forest not far from Otavalo. We did not immediately find the entrance to the park, so instead of stopping at the little village downstream we parked all the way up the hill through the forest (or jungle) and approached the waterfall from the top.
After descending the non-paved, muddy and steep path we arrived at the bottom. The mist was everywhere and we thus got soaked even by just crossing the bridge below (and especially by taking pictures on it).
A while later we followed the path further downhill back to the street. From there, we started our drive to Mindo Cloud Forest, our next destination.
On our way we came past a town called Puéllaro, which as we had been told was famous for its fruit plantations. However, upon driving around, there were no signs of that. Regardless, the mountains offered quite a scenic vantage point and I made sure to capture that.
The road also took us through a valley which was yet another spot for some aerial pictures.
Following the winding road we went across the mountain range.
Moreover, the drive took us past Quito again, though we only passed the outskirts.
Quite some while later, after it had already gotten dark, we arrived at our hotel in the cloud forest. There, for the first time in Ecuador, we would experience real, thick jungle and spot fascinating birds.
¡Adiós!