El Lechero

Otavalo


While this tree outside Otavalo is famous for its magical healing powers, it's much more reliable as a great picnic spot, romantic or otherwise, and for fresh air and great views of town. It’s a steep 4km walk or a $4 taxi ride; ask the driver to wait if you don’t want to walk back.

To get there by foot take Piedrahita out of town going south (uphill). Look for arrows painted along the way. Hike some unpaved switchbacks and go past a fragrant eucalyptus grove to the crest of a hill where you’ll see a sign for a restaurant, and up above it, a lone, stubby tree. You can continue straight here for another 1km to get to Parque Cóndor.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Otavalo attractions

1. Crafts Market

0.74 MILES

Plaza de Ponchos, the nucleus of the crafts market, is filled every day with vendors selling woolen goods, such as rugs, tapestries, blankets, ponchos,…

2. Parque Cóndor

0.82 MILES

Get an up-close view of Andean condors, as well as eagles, owls, falcons and hawks, at this Dutch-owned foundation, which rehabilitates these and other…

3. Cascadas de Peguche

1.15 MILES

Most visitors head out this way to see the Cascadas de Peguche, a series of falls sacred to locals – visitors are still welcome, however, during Inti…

4. Daily Market

1.17 MILES

Next to the Animal Market, this large, covered complex just west of the Panamericana houses the vendors who previously plied their trade in a messy…

5. Cementerio

1.23 MILES

Each Monday and Thursday morning, groups of Otavaleños summit the Calle de las Almas (Street of Souls) to this hillside cemetery, sharing meals, songs,…

6. Tahuantinsuyo Weaving Workshop

2.07 MILES

Jose Rafael Maldonado, Miguel Andrango's son-in-law, now runs the day-to-day operations of this internationally famous weaving family business, in its…

8. Cascada de Taxopamba

3.72 MILES

Just past Casa Mojanda on the road up to Lagunas de Mojanda is the well-signposted trailhead for Cascada de Taxopamba. It's about a half-hour walk to…