The Sacred Lakes Route: Cuicocha, Yaguarcocha and San Pablo

 

In the San Pablo lagoon, a call to protect and respect this sacred site.

If life ever takes you to the province of Imbabura, near Otavalo, Ibarra or Cotacachi, don't forget to stop by the wonderful sacred lagoons near the area (there are more than 20 but here are 3 of the ones that delighted me) and I will share with you a story of these splendid sources of life and wisdom, revitalizing the spirit and reviving energy.

The first stop is near the Imbabura volcano, the magnificent San Pablo lake magnetizes with its endless splendor and majesty; if it weren't for the mountains on the horizon, it would look like an arm of the sea superimposed on the heights. A strong wind falls with the evening breeze. It gets dark and the water becomes a palette of blue and gray tones, sheltered by the violet glow of the sky. 

Detail of one of the inhabitants of the cold waters of Lake San Pablo.

The ducks that were splashing on the shore have already gone to spend the night in a sheltered place. In the nearby cabin overlooking the lake, the aromas of warm colada (purple colada) can be perceived to combat the cold that is becoming more and more omnipresent. A bread that looks like it was made at home accompanies the feeling of happiness. A few breaths of fresh air and a sensation of peace. 

Then the magnificent Cuicocha will leave you breathless. The height of more than 3,000 meters has made historians wonder how a lake at such a height was formed. The discovery was astonishing, the lake is a volcanic crater that is still active today. 

Practices such as yoga find their ideal space and time in Cuicocha

Contemplating the two islets in the middle of the lake is equivalent to a celestial presence on earth, accompanied by the life they harbor. It is also inevitable to wonder how the guinea pigs and rabbits got there. 

The unknown is in the air. 

But it is on the Sacred Route, where the ancestral story is conceived, venerating the magnificence of Lake Cuicocha, the solar calendar, the lunar calendar, the site of offerings and the ritual bath, which highlights the presence of ancient knowledge and leads us to a direct connection with our ancestors. Finally, the arrival at Yaguarcocha is also splendorous for its crystal-clear waters, although more playful. Small pedal boats await on the shore for a ride.

Pedal boat rides are one of the options for boys and  large in Yaguarcocha

lake; dragons, squirrels, turtles, and dolphins are some of the animals waiting for travelers for their journey through the cold waters on a new adventure. 

Already in the middle of the lake, an immense desire to dive into the inviting water is overwhelming, but the lady's words, you can't swim, there are too many algae, stop you, and not only that, but also a refreshing breeze. Pedaling towards the mountain, you reach the middle of the lake. You improvise a breakfast of cookies with peach juice, and the current takes you and plays with you. After midday, the pedaling and lunch give way to the perfect nap where the deepest dreams become reality, and where the wind from the lakes will caress your hair.

Panoramic view of Yaguarcocha, in the province of Imbabura.

Text: Daniela Bermeo
Photos: PachaMamita Collective