Top 6 Natural Monuments in Cotacachi

Being in this place and having the feeling of turning around and knowing everything you walked, is beautiful. A different view of everything and the most refreshing and delicious breeze there is.

On this section of the hiking trail that runs all the way around Laguna Cuicocha, after climbing numerous steps and through lush Andean flora, you reach a ridge path with fantastic views of the lagoon and the Otavalo plain

Look for a sacred place with beautifully landscaped hiking trails. At the top you can crawl through narrow caves and discover other smaller waterfalls. Entrance fees are required.

El Lechero is a viewpoint whose tree at the top of the hill is considered sacred. Although unknown to many people, this tranquil spot offers beautiful views of the surrounding area. Located in Otavalo, Ecuador near Condor Park. El Lechero, Otavalo's sacred tree, is part of local mythology and is believed to house the soul of a cursed lover who fell in love with a boy from a rival family. And then it was transformed into nearby Lake San Pablo. From the El Lechero viewpoint you can see Lake San Pablo, the Fuya Fuya Mountains, the Cotacachi Volcanoes, Imbabura and a great view of the city of Otavalo. The place where the tree stands is considered a sacred place with healing powers by local people. There are indigenous Otavaleños who perform many purification rituals and spiritual ceremonies. El Lechero is a place open to the public, where you can not only take beautiful photos, but also have picnics. To get there, you'll have to walk a steep 5km or so from Otavalo or hire a taxi for around $4 each way. There is no transport at the top. Ask the driver to wait if he doesn't want to go back. Source: https://www.planetandes.com/es/ecuador/andes/imbabura/otavalo/el-lechero-arbol-sagrado-otavalo/

Arriving from Otavalo without your own car: From the bus terminal, take the bus to Cotacachi or Quiroga. Buses run every 15-20 minutes. Just ask for Laguna at the terminal and someone will direct you to the right bus. Cost per ride: $0.4. The bus driver will drop you off at a taxi rank in Cotacachi or at the central park in Quiroga. From there, the only way to get to the lagoon is by taxi, as there are no buses going there. A taxi will cost around USD 5-6. For the return trip, it's best to use the taxi driver's phone number to call him for the return trip, as the lagoon is pretty deserted and there aren't really any taxis around. The price for the return trip is the same as for the outward trip. It would also be possible to hitchhike back at least to Quiroga, since the road from the lagoon goes through Quiroga. From there or Cotacachi, take the $0.4 bus to Otavalo again. The buses also leave here very regularly.

El Lechero is an ancient tree on a hilltop above Otavalo overlooking the San Pablo Lagoon, Otavalo and Imbabura Volcano. What is special about this tree is not only its age (it is said to be more than a thousand years old), but also its religious background. According to the indigenous people, it is said to have healing abilities. It is not for nothing that he is visited and worshiped for rituals or weddings

It's not allowed to camp on the trail, but... Noone checks if you do :)

Circular hike around the "guinea pig lagoon". The easiest way to get there from Otavalo is by bus to Quiroga and then by taxi from the parque central there ($5)