| Ecuador HIGHLIGHTS |  |
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| Tours around Ibarra: | | Otavalo | San Antonio de Ibarra | La Esperanza | Urcuquí | Chachimbiro | Yahuarcocha | To the coast | Book
a tour |  San Antonio de Ibarra | | | San Antonio de Ibarra is a pleasant village very well known for its woodcarving production. Located some 20 Km north of Otavalo and ten minutes south from Ibarra, between Otavalo and Ibarra. As soon as you arrive to the village you'll find several workshops lined in the main street. It's fun to have a look around through all these galleries, but the finest woodcarvings are at the gallery of Luis Potosí on the main plaza. Accommodation
in the village is basic, available at: Hostería los Nogales.- Tel. 932000 | | La Esperanza | | | This is a pretty small village located some 7 kilometers south of Ibarra. Set in a beautiful countryside, is a very peaceful and quiet town where you can really relax and have some good strolls around its several cobbled roads. The best excursions around the area are: To Loma Cubilche.- (3836m) which is a hill located south of La Esperanza worth to climb and much more easier than the Imbabura volcano. The hill offers magnificent views. To the Imbabura volcano.- La Esperanza is the best place to access
the Imbabura volcano (4,609m) and is a quite good activity while in town. It is about 10 Km southwest. The summit is 2,000m higher than the village and there are several trails leading to the volcano. Once in the summit, you can take amazing pictures of Laguna de San Pablo. Good luck! Basic accommodation is available in: Casa Aída,
and Café Maria next door. | | Urcuquí | | Another small pretty town with the usual settings. Urcuquí is the main access point for a stroll to the Piñán lakes. There is a frequent bus service from lbarra (opposite the old bus station), to this town. |  | | Chachimbiro | | | The
Complejo de Turismo Ecológico Chachimbiro is home to the clean hot mineral thermal baths and swimming pools of Chachimbiro. Located some two hours northwest from Ibarra. It is managed by Fundación Cordillera. Inside the complex which is part of a project to develop environmental education in the surrounding areas, there is a medical center and organic gardens used for the thermal waters treatment. The complex also offers comfortable cabins and restaurants. To get there, take the Expreso Turismo cooperative (On Flores street) in Ibarra. It's best to leave early in the morning. See tour operators in Otavalo
for agencies running trips to Chachimbiro. | | Yahuarcocha lake | | | Driving north from Ibarra on the Panamericana you'll be soon delighted by the presence of this magnificent lake. Yahuarcocha in Quichua means "blood" so, the translation would be "Lake of blood". The name was given as a result of the
red color that it took after a big battle between the Caras and the Incas. Surrounding the lake, there is a racetrack, which is used during the festivities. You can also reach the lake in a two hours' walk from Ibarra, heading on Oviedo street east until the edge of town. Then you have to cross the river and keep walking north. Following this route from the top of the hill, you'll have outstanding views of Ibarra and the Yahuarcocha village. There is a frequent bus service from lbarra to the village of Yahuarcocha (30 minutes). The ticket cost is around US$0.15.  AccommodationRancho Totoral.- Tel & Fax: 955544. Parador
El Conquistador.- Restaurant & lodging. | | | From Ibarra to the Coast | | | Unfortunately, the train ride from Ibarra to the coastal regions that used to be very popular, is no longer operating this route. But, there is another road going northeast that leads you to the valley of the Rio Mira to the lowlands and passes by Guallupe, a village which is the base point to access to the Cerro Golondrinas cloud forest.
Accommodation In Guallupe Bospas Farm.- Located 800 m from Guallupe. This place also offers volunteer opportunities. There are other places to stay around Guallupe such as El Limonal (06-648688) and Martyz (06-648693). You can find adequate accommodation as well in Lita (a town nearby). BusBus service is available frequently to San Lorenzo (6 hours), ticket value around US$4.00. Valle del Chota and Espejo cooperative buses run this route. Train:
Check in advance to see if it is working! (Tel. 955050). | | Book a Tour | | | The Best of Ecuador.com (BOE) has lately teamed up with the most recognized, respected Travel Agencies and Tour operators in the country. By filling in our online Travel Agencies and Tour operators network reservation form, visitors may ask for a quote and book in advance as well for professional
guided tours in Ibarra and surroundings. | | | Tours around Ibarra: | | Otavalo | San Antonio de Ibarra | La Esperanza | Urcuquí | Chachimbiro | Yahuarcocha | To the coast | Book a tour | | In Ibarra: | | Overview | Accommodation | Restaurants | Transport | Banks
| General interest | Communications | Tour operators | Bars & Discos | | More about Ecuador Highlands: | | Carchi | Imbabura | Pichincha | Cotopaxi | Tungurahua | Bolivar | Chimborazo | Cañar | Azuay | Loja |
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