When you visit Ecuador, you can’t do without a visit to at least one of its many volcanoes. Ecuador has dozens of them, most of them still active.
This post gives you tips for a visit to the Fuya Fuya in the northern province of Imbabura.
Well, you don’t have to climb one, to get to know one. But you certainly can’t do without visiting one.
Most visitors to Ecuador visit the Parque Cotopaxi (5897m/ 19347ft), or the Chimborazo (6310m/ 20702ft). The two highest mountains of the country.
To get to their summits is only for professionals. Well, maybe semi-professionals, but therefore always with a certified guide.
That’s why most visitors to these giants end up at the refuges and around. Also an unforgettable experience.
However, if you want to conquer a volcano, there are many alternatives in Ecuador.
One of them is the Fuya Fuya (4263m/ 13986ft), located in the beautiful Mojanda Lake area high above the Andean market town of Otavalo.
- The Mojanda Lake area is actually located on the border of two northern provinces: Imbabura and Pichincha.
Picture taken from the summit of the Fuya Fuya.
Mojanda Lake area
The Mojanda Lake area is an ideal place for hiking, climbing, walking, wandering around or for a picnic. It houses three large lakes, and – in the rainy season – several smaller ones.
- The biggest lake, Laguna Grande, is called Karicocha en Quichua. Loosely translated this means “the Lake of Man”. The smaller one is Warmicocha, “the Lake of Woman” & the smallest one is the Yanacocha, “the Black Lake”.
One of the most popular activities in the Mojando Lake area is to climb the Fuya Fuya, high above the Laguna Grande.
Depending on the weather, from its summit you can see the whole northern region. The towns of Otavalo, Cotacachi, Ibarra & even parts of Quito. As well as, Mt. Imbabura, Mt. Cotacachi & Mt. Cayambe.
- Mt. Cayambe is the third highest volcano of Ecuador (5790m/ 18996ft).
On a really clear day, to the north you can spot the mountains of neighbouring Colombia. To the south Mt. Cotopaxi, Ilinizas, Rumiñahui and others.
- Once, I could even vaguely distinguish the contours of Mt. Chimborazo in the center of Ecuador, hundreds of kilometers/miles away. Simultaneously spotting the 2 islands in the beautiful Cuicocha lake, near Cotacachi.
Concerning animal life. I’ve been up the mountain at least 20 times and besides all kinds of birds like hawks & eagles, I spotted many rabbits. Once even a young fox. If lucky, you can even eye the mighty Condor.
To the summit of the Fuya Fuya
You can easily conquer the Fuya Fuya during one morning & without a guide. If you want though, guides are available in Otavalo & Cotacachi.
You start the climb at the level of the Laguna Grande, the biggest lake. Located at about 3700m/ 12139ft. Going up to just under 4300m/ 14108ft.
Depending on your condition & goals a real pro can maybe beat the hour. Generally though it takes between 1,5 – 2 hours to get to the top.
- Be aware though, that the climb gets steeper & steeper until you end up at the rocky summit.
- Also note that the higher you go, the lower the level of oxygen.
This means, when you notice it’s getting too difficult, just break off the climb. There are so many alternative paths to travel and enjoy the Mojanda Lake area.
Yep, that’s me up there, … Better call me Art, the writer of the blog!
Are you in for a … SURPRISE?
If you make it to the top, congratulations! Well, that is to say, … BIG SURPRISE, there are two summits on the Fuya Fuya.
- That’s also the main reason the volcano is named Fuya Fuya by the indigenous people (in Quichua), meaning “cloud cloud”. No wonder, that according to some local tales the clouds are born on this mountain.
Most people climb up to the first summit they see from below. The second one is a little higher though (about 15m/ 50ft).
If you have the wish & energy it’s not hard to do both. Although the second peak needs a little bit of rock climbing. If you like, because there’s also a way around it (heading to the right of the biggest rock).
Anyway, … it’s beautiful up there. With unforgettable 360° views all around and more plant & animal life than you would expect at an altitude of around 4300m/ 14108ft.
Although with this climb you don’t conquer the highest peaks of Ecuador, with this visit you can feel at the Top of the World. I felt that way every time I brought a visit to the summit(s) of the Fuya Fuya.
Visit Fuya Fuya: Tips & Recommendations
- Start early, as around noon generally the clouds come rolling in. From then on, it can get cloudy, cold, windy & rainy.
- Stay on the paths. First of all because it’s easier to go up & come down, but also to avoid getting lost when it gets really cloudy.
- Bring your own food, snacks & drink. There’s nothing for sale up there.
- There aren’t any guards in the area, but generally the area is safe. No official entrance either, and no entrance fee.
- There are currently no road or path signs, so you have to orientate yourself. The paths to the top are clear though. You don’t need a guide, but if you prefer one, you can arrange one in Otavalo or Cotacachi.
- Be prepared for every type of weather: cold, warm, sun, rain. Sometimes it can even snow. Once it was hailing so bad at the top, we had to escape the summit as soon as we got there. Bring something warm!
- Protect yourself from the sun (at least Protector 50). Always…even when the day starts cloudy.
How to get there
By taxi or pick-up
The best way to get to the Mojanda lake area is by taxi or pick-up. You can find them all over Otavalo & Cotacachi.
- I would recommend you to negotiate a price beforehand & pay at the end of the tour.
- The driver will leave you at the Laguna Grande & can show you the way up to the Fuya Fuya.
- The drive up from Otavalo (20km/ 12 mi.) takes between 30-40 minutes. Cotacachi (30km/ 18mi.), 50-60 minutes. Depending on the condition of the old cobblestone road up.
- It take at least 3 hours to get to the top of the Fuya Fuya & down again. This as an indication for your driver to come back at a certain hour.
Where to Stay
Otavalo
When you are looking for the best place to stay in Otavalo, I’d highly recommend to have a look at our former hotel/restaurant there:
Hotel Doña Esther/Restaurante Árbol de Montalvo.
A beautiful, safe & friendly place in the heart of the city with an excellent, cozy restaurant with a huge variety of local & international dishes. Run nowadays by former staff members of ours. Experienced & professional.
To learn more, go to: Hotel Doña Esther, Otavalo
Cotacachi
However, if you prefer to stay in nearby Cotacachi, I’d like to introduce our new Airbnb in Cotacachi.
A complete rental home we – that’s me & my wife Wendy – recently finished building for people who want to visit & explore the many Things to do in & around Otavalo/Cotacachi.
- We owned & ran the mentioned hotel in Otavalo for over 22 years. After selling the place we decided to continue on with a smaller accommodation in beautiful Cotacachi.
If you first would like an introduction to Cotacachi, click on:
The Beautiful & Magical City of Cotacachi
Casa Santa Ana
An Airbnb we named Casa Santa Ana. After the official name of our “Magical City”: Santa Ana de Cotacachi. As well as Wendy’s mother – my mother-in-law – Anna.
Besides a spacious living room with chimney & full equipped kitchen, our Airbnb has two separate bedrooms. Each with its own bathroom. Ideal for 1, 2 to 4 people. Or also a family with 2 or 3 smaller children.
- Minimum stay: 3 nights. Maximum stay: several months (!).
From the partially covered rooftop terrace – also with a chimney – you have magnificent views of the old city center & surrounding area. Like the mountain of the same name in the background.
- Mt. Cotacachi is the 11th highest volcano of Ecuador (4,944m/16,220ft).
Mt. Cotacachi is still covered in the clouds.
To learn more about this overnight option in Cotacachi, click on:
- For more general information on Ecuador, you can join my: Visit Ecuador Facebook Group.
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For other Things to do in & around Otavalo & Cotacachi, you can go to: Otavalo Attractions
For an overview of all travel posts of my blog, go to: the Home Page.
