Otavalo and the northern highlands holidays
Otavalo and the northern highlands holidays at a glance
Otavalo is a world-famous upland town surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes, crater lakes and rolling Andean hills. The region is particularly celebrated for its indigenous heritage and long-established artisan traditions.
The landscapes here are some of Ecuador’s most beautiful, with fertile valleys framed by volcanic peaks and dotted with traditional villages. Local communities continue to preserve many customs and crafts passed down through generations, offering a valuable insight into indigenous culture Ecuador is known for.
While the famous market is a major attraction, the wider region rewards exploration, with scenic countryside, weaving communities and the chance to experience everyday life in the Ecuadorian Andes.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Otavalo and the northern highlands
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
The upland town of Otavalo is world-famous for its huge livestock, vegetable and textile market, and is surrounded by snow-tipped volcanoes, lake-filled craters and rolling hills.
When to visit Otavalo and the northern highlands
Best time to visit? June to September for the driest, clearest conditions, though the highlands stay mild year-round.
Otavalo and the northern highlands enjoy year round spring-like temperatures averaging 21°C during these months. It is the wet season, so rains (usually in the afternoon) are to be expected but sunny mornings are not uncommon. December and mid-Febrary onwards receive the most rain during these rainy season months. Carnival celebrations in Peguche and Cotacachi are particularly notable in this region.
The wet season continues in Otavalo and the northern highlands, with March and April experiencing the most and rainfall and heaviest downpours of the year. Sunny mornings can still be expected but there is a greater chance of overcast damp weather. Easter is celebrated throughout, but even in Otavalo the traditional processions are nowhere near at the same scale as in the cities.
The dry season in Otavalo and the northern highlands begins in June. These months are the sunniest time of the year. Average temperatures are 21°C but there are frequent hotter days although nights are still a chilly 9-10°C. There may be a little rain some days, but far less common during these months. Jul and Aug are driest and the best time for hiking in the mountains. The indigenous Inti Raymi festival (Festival of the Sun) is widely celebrated and particularly popular in Otavalo, Peguche and Cotacachi.
September is dry season and the climate is much like the previous months, but in October the transition to the wet season begins. Spring-like daytime temperatures and cold nights continue but visitors can expect fewer hours of sunshine, more overcast days and frequency and intensity of afternoon rains increasing through October and into November. Dia de todos los santos (day of the dead/all souls day) is on 2nd November and this largely indigenous region is an interesting area to see how catholic and indian traditions have combined in the honouring of the dead.
Top Things to do in Otavalo and the northern highlands
The region’s appeal lies in its rich culture, beautiful scenery and opportunities to explore traditional Andean life – there’s a great range of things to do in Otavalo, from the market itself to the villages and lakes beyond it.
Hike around the rim of a volcanic caldera in Ecuador with views over its lake Cuicocha and the snow-draped Andean peaks beyond.
Spend a whole week roaming the rugged volcanic landscape of the northern Andes on horseback.
Ride the slow train through Ecuador’s northern highlands. Please note: Ecuador’s railways are currently not operating.
Pick up handcrafted souvenirs and people watch at a bustling indigenous market.
Accommodation in Otavalo and the northern highlands
Accommodation ranges from cosy rural lodges and traditional haciendas to boutique hotels in and around Otavalo. Many properties make the most of the region’s outstanding scenery and cultural character, giving easy access to markets, villages and hiking opportunities.
Elegantly rustic country house style hotel in an oasis-like valley surrounded by hills, offering stylish accommodation within delightful grounds.
Attractive and historic rural property in a splendid Andean setting, with cosily furnished guestrooms and a simple, folksy charm.
Exceptional rural retreat, with charming and very comfortable guestrooms housed in a 17th century hacienda on a working farm in Ecuador’s Andes.
A cosy and friendly countryside hacienda with a peaceful setting in the Ecuadorian Andes.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Tailor-Made Otavalo and the northern highlands Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Signature Ecuador and Galapagos: Volcanoes to the ocean
Places visited: Quito · Otavalo and the northern highlands · Avenue of the Volcanoes · Cuenca · Guayaquil
14 days from £7,520
Value Ecuador and Galapagos: At a glance
Places visited: Quito · Otavalo and the northern highlands · Avenue of the Volcanoes
9 days from £3,140
Walking in Ecuador and Galapagos
Places visited: Quito · Otavalo and the northern highlands
12 days from £5,485
FAQs about visiting Otavalo and the northern highlands
Otavalo and the northern highlands is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to visit Otavalo and the northern highlands?
The northern highlands have an all year round spring-like climate with temperatures averaging 21°C. It can rain at any time in the year but most precipitation falls all year with Feb-Apr and Oct-Nov the wettest months. The main market day at Otavalo is Saturday when there are four different markets, including artisan and livestock. The towns and haciendas in the region can be busy at weekends and from Christmas to New Year.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What language is spoken in Otavalo and the northern highlands?
The main language spoken in Otavalo and the northern highlands is Spanish.
- What currency do I need in Otavalo and the northern highlands?
The US dollar is the main currency used in Otavalo and the northern highlands. There are banks in Otavalo but it is better to take out money in advance in Quito where there are many ATMs.
- What is the time difference between Otavalo and the UK?
The time difference between Otavalo and the UK is GMT -5 hours.
- What places combine well with Otavalo and the northern highlands?
The bird-filled cloud forest in the Mindo region, 37km; the Avenue of the Volcanoes, 136km.
- How do you get to Otavalo and the northern highlands?
It’s a drive of a couple of hours on a winding upland road (58km) from Quito to Otavalo.
- What are the festivals, cultural and sporting events in Otavalo and the northern highlands?
Fiesta del Yamor: Otavalo and other towns, first two weeks of September. Music, dancing, fireworks, cockfights, bullfights, processions and boat races on Lago San Pablo.
Inti Raymi and San Juan: Around Otavalo, 24-29 Jun. Bullfights, regattas on the lake, costume parties.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.