Top 5 Otavalo Cruises & Sailing Tours: Reviews & Recommendations

Otavalo, Ecuador, that gem high up in the Andes, it’s almost universally famous for its market. Yet, there’s more to this amazing place than just colorful textiles, you know? That area around Otavalo is sprinkled with gorgeous lakes, and one super cool way to soak it all in is from the water. So, I thought I would share some recommendations to enjoy a good view.

1. Laguna de San Pablo Sunset Sail

Laguna de San Pablo, that’s like, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Otavalo, that big lake that reflects the Imbabura Volcano’s beauty back at you, is that special! You’ve probably seen pictures, that is assuming you’re anything like me, pictures can’t truly do it justice. What a cruise along its waters offers, that would be tranquility as the sun says goodbye, you see, and paints the sky with all different warm shades.

Local tour groups like ‘Andes discovery tours’ and ‘Ecuador best tours’ often put together sunset sailing trips on the Laguna. Usually, they last about two or three hours, giving you plenty of time to drink it all in. And what can you expect? Well, expect breathtaking panoramas of the Andes, for one. Maybe, it tends to be viewing native bird species fluttering around the lake’s edge, but usually you get a serene vibe as daylight fades and the stars start popping out. That also happens to include local guides to tell you a bit about the local stories, in fact they can share tales tied to the lake and volcano; you learn some cool facts while relaxing, that’s that. Read our full review: Laguna de San Pablo Sunset Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Sunset Sail on Laguna de San Pablo)

2. Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve Boat Tour

You want adventure? Well, the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve, in fact it might be right up your alley, you know? A boat tour here, so it’s not your average ‘cruise’ per se, yet, it’s totally worth it if you appreciate nature, as a matter of fact! You might discover a place that is filled with incredible biodiversity, more or less. The reserve spills down from the highlands and actually slopes to meet the tropical rainforest, meaning it houses countless species of plants and animals.

A boat trip, typically along the rivers which cut through the reserve, like your, the Río Santiago, typically lets you experience varied ecosystems, yet each feels incredibly alive. Some groups such as ‘Ecuadorian Amazon Expeditions’, or ‘Happy Gringo’, so they organize day trips from Otavalo. Then, look for tours led by local indigenous guides who can clue you in on local stories. That probably includes bird watching chances, wildlife spotting sessions, and learning a great deal relating to the interdependence in this fragile place, right, you see? So you can check it. Read our full review: Cotacachi-Cayapas Boat Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Explore Cotacachi-Cayapas by Boat)

3. Cuicocha Crater Lake Exploration

Cuicocha, which in kichwa basically translates to “Lagoon of the Guinea Pig,” and there might just be, anyway it can be found inside a volcanic crater, it’s really beautiful, that is for sure! Many tourist agencies close to Otavalo offer trips, more or less including a boat ride around the lake’s islands. Those islands, Volcán de Cajas and Volcán Wolf, you see they seem like they are just sitting there in the center. That, along with the super deep blue water, you feel it, provides views, as a matter of fact they are breathtaking.

That boat tour around Cuicocha is, sort of , an adventure both for those who like landscape beauty and those intrigued by volcanology, sort of like getting two experiences at the same time. You should inquire about it from ‘Otavalo Travel Agency’ or maybe, that could be ‘Adventure Tours Ecuador’. This sort of thing is that the tours usually involve short explanations concerning the origin of the crater, you see. Plus data related to the weird plant-life located here, in some respects as unique orchids and bromeliads that deal with the climate, right, you see? Read our full review: Cuicocha Crater Lake Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Boat Tour on Cuicocha)

4. Yahuarcocha Lake Cultural & Birdwatching Cruise

Yahuarcocha Lake, a bit south of Otavalo, it’s like, it’s got that historical backdrop along with gorgeous views; I mean you do have views with other entries but that backdrop just, honestly you would get what I mean. ‘Yahuarcocha’ means “Blood Lake” in kichwa. Yahuarcocha means this name because of a legendary fight, as a matter of fact, between the Incas plus the local tribes, it could be. Some guides around there tend to offer boat trips combining both natural beauty as well as stories.

This cruise tends to be slightly focused, if you find a group that specializes in that, that is, toward bird observers and culture buffs. Tours provided by places such as ‘Lakeside Adventures Ecuador’, well they focus on the many bird types there. A bunch can be observed near Yahuarcocha, which are grebes and coots as well as several kinds of waterfowl, you see? Guides, typically, give context over history during the ride, too, for instance discussing events connected to that old clash, and also local myths. The entire experience may seem immersive so it makes for more thoughtful traveling. Read our full review: Yahuarcocha Birdwatching Cruise Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Birdwatching on Yahuarcocha)

5. Private Sailing on Laguna de Mojanda

Are you wishing a more intimate kind of sailing adventure, well, then think on visiting Laguna de Mojanda! What makes Mojanda special, I will tell you what, three separate crater lakes rest right close to each other high up within the mountains, and that in itself, seriously you have to look at it. Tours listed here may involve something a bit unique; it offers intimate private rides within smaller sized sail boats. This can really increase, what’s really cool about it, it really allows increased privacy plus personal experiences!

These private tours which local operators like ‘Azuay tourism ‘, you see that is providing things from Cuenca typically stretch north, in some respects could be planned per desires to each voyager. Couples may want some romantic setting upon calm water. Photographers that like capturing alpine landscape? You may want longer, longer spells focusing through many vista spots; it might provide possibilities. That, or maybe something of its ilk, and with careful guidance of people you’re cruising alongside for these private experiences, in fact it can very possibly turn that experience genuinely wonderful for somebody to treasure constantly, you see. Read our full review: Laguna de Mojanda Private Sailing Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Private Sail on Laguna de Mojanda)

Alright, therefore to experience these places close up via waters adds dimension toward travel around region! No matter, that may very well seem interesting towards landscape lover or, let’s say somebody considering something regarding cultural submersion, probably in those cases one should consider something close. Probably this kind that goes a step higher versus typical marketplace seeing; and just so something perhaps just rather interesting also.