Wangeline Family Adventures: Otavalo excursion #2 - Parque Condor

We had read a lot about this raptor park and were so excited to visit. We actually put it off several days as we had cloudy/foggy weather and we didn’t want to miss seeing any of the birds in flight. Finally the day came (it was a Tuesday – we will get back to this in a sec) so we got dressed and sunblocked, and headed up to Otavalo. We had read that you could walk up to the park, but we decided to taxi up, and then walk down.

This is another instance of a vast difference in time and scale in terms of distance and difficulty from other reviewers. This was easily 5+ miles up the side of a mountain with switch backs and rough roads. Nowhere in my book would this ever be a ‘mild, 1 hour walk.’ However, the scenery was breathtaking.

Up above Otavalo you can see the whole city with the hand tilled agriculture rising up the surrounding mountains and volcanos. We were also above Lago San Pablo, the large lake our home base town is named for. We passed several people using a spade and animal to plow their fields, as well as many out weeding or harvesting by hand. It was a clear reminder of the pastoral style of life that is basically non-existent in the US these days.

When we finally arrived up at the parque (park), it was looking a little quiet. There were only a couple of cars in the parking lot, and the main gate was closed.

Not a good sign, especially since our taxi had just driven away, leaving us at the top of the mountain. The owner is native to the Netherlands, but has lived in Ecuador for 20 years (as he told us later), so he spoke perfect English which was definitely a change of pace. A small woman in traditional dress came up to us and talked a little in Spanish to us through the gate, and then left to get the owner.

He opens the gate and says “I am sorry, we are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.” C and I look at each other with the ‘Oh crap’ look, and I mention that our guide book had said that they were only closed on Mondays, so we had come up. The owner replies, no, that was a long time ago, and then looks down at A and says “Are you very disappointed?” A looks him right in the eye, and says “Yes, I am disappointed.” C and I look at each other again, not quite sure where this is going, and then the owner says “Well, we can’t have the little one disappointed. I can’t sell you tickets, but you can put some money in the donation box, and then walk through the park on your own.”

Inner voice shouts “What? And Woohoo!” at the same time, and for the umpteenth time this trip, I can’t believe how lucky we are.

So into the park we go, getting to take as many pictures as we want, and especially, getting to have some quality time visiting some absolutely amazing raptors. After we made our way through the park, we saw the owner again, and he shouted down to us that he would meet us in a few minutes at the front. We were thinking that he was going to let us out, call us a taxi, etc. but in the end it turns out that he was planning on driving us back down to Otavalo himself. We told him that wasn’t necessary and he was already beyond generous with us, but he just gave us a ‘don’t be silly’ kind of look, and said he was going down anyway. It was such a great experience, and an amazing example of kindness for A and N to see. If you are ever near Otavalo, it is a must see. Enjoy the pictures!