Imbabura Province

On this Otavalo tour in Ecuador you will discover the cultural and natural beauty of this charming place. Starting in Quito, our first stop will be visiting Cayambe bizcocho factory to try these delicious traditional snacks. The Mirador de Miralago, has views of the mountainous surroundings and the Cuicocha lagoon, the next destination is the famous Otavalo Market, one of the largest markets in South America, we will have some time to explore and shop here. The Peguche Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall surrounded by great nature to enjoy the tranquility of the environment. Finally, we will go to Cotacachi, known for its leather products and before returning to the city of Quito we will stop at Laguna de Cuicocha, to appreciate its unique natural beauty.

Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Quito, and then journey by private vehicle towards the lively indigenous bazaar of Otavalo Market. Make brief stops at the village of Guayabamba and get an amazing view of San Pablo Lake and the surrounding landscape. Try some of the local biscochos (cookies) typical of the region along the way. Visit a weaving workshop in Peguche to learn about the handmade artisanal products and clothes typical of the region. Get back on the road to arrive at Otavalo Market and join the locals who come to sell their wares at the most spectacular market in Latin America. Buy unique souvenirs or just watch the hustle and bustle of the market vendors. Make your way to the beautiful crater lake of Cuicocha at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano. Return to Quito at the end of a day full of activities and get dropped off at your hotel.

One of the most famous attractions in Otavalo is the Otavalo Market, which takes place in the town's central square, Plaza de los Ponchos. This market is one of the largest and most well-known indigenous markets in South America. It is a vibrant and colorful place where local artisans and vendors sell a wide variety of handmade crafts, textiles, jewelry, clothing, and traditional Ecuadorian products. The market is a significant hub for tourists seeking authentic and locally-produced souvenirs. The Peguche Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall located near the town of Otavalo. It is a popular natural attraction known for its scenic beauty and cultural significance. The waterfall has an approximate height of 18 meters (59 feet). There is a trail leading from the entrance of the park to the base of the waterfall, allowing visitors to enjoy a walk and experience the waterfall up close, in addition to the waterfall, there are trails that wind through a natural park surrounding the area. This park is known for its lush vegetation and provides a peaceful environment for walking and enjoying nature. Visitors can appreciate both the natural beauty of the waterfall and the spiritual and cultural aspects associated with it. You are welcome to visit our simple workshop Tahuantinsuyo for a free demonstration of the authentic art of backstrap weaving. Enjoy hands-on participation and learn a bit of our craft.

Otavalo is located in the Imbabura Province, 86 km north of Quito, this town is now one of the most important tourist destinations of Ecuador, surrounded by mountains, lakes, rivers, streams and springs, making this small town a paradise where tourists always return! The city of Otavalo is world-wide-known for the famous handicraft Indian market. Our departure is at 8:00 a.m., from your hotel in Quito, towards the colourful town of Otavalo and to the most famous Indian fair in South America! We take the Pan-American Highway, which takes you through spectacular mountain scenery, to enjoy spectacular views of people and communities, while conducting their activities and daily life! Our first stop is at the viewpoint of Pisque River, form where you'll see the majestic snow-capped volcanoes Cayambe (5.790 m - 18,996 ft) and Cotopaxi (5.890 m - 19,324 ft). Also, it will be possible to spot large plantations of roses, and very fertile farmlands. Before going to Otavalo, you will visit the popular viewpoint of San Pablo Lake, located at the foothills of Imbabura Volcano (4.630 m - 15,190 ft). You continue your journey and then you arrive to the Otavalo Indian Market or "Plaza de Ponchos", showing varied handmade indigenous crafts. There you'll have time off to hang around the market, and to make the best choices buying unique genuine souvenirs! After having lunch you'll visit Cotacachi village, well-known as the “music capital of Ecuador”, rich in the production of fine leather garments, which are displayed and sold in small shops along the center of the city. Before we return to Quito, you'll visit the stunning crater lake of Cuicocha, located in the Cotacachi volcano (4.944 m - 16,220 ft). Then we start our way back to Quito, where you'll arrive approximately at 5:00 p.m. End of this fantastic private adventure!

Depart from the meeting point in Quito and head towards the colorful town of Otavalo and the most famous Indian fair in South America. During the drive, get unforgettable views of peoples and communities, while conducting their activities and daily life. Stop at a rose plantation to learn all about the fifth main industry of Ecuador. Experience every step about the process of growing, harvesting, and exporting roses to all over the world. During your visit, admire and photograph the beautiful valleys and snow-capped mountains that are surrounding this worldwide-known region. Then, go to the viewpoint of the Laguna San Pablo, at the foothills of Imbabura volcano. Afterward, you'll arrive at the Otavalo Indian market or “Plaza de Ponchos” showing varied handmade indigenous crafts all through the main streets of the town. After lunch, explore Cotacachi village, rich in the production of fine leather garments, which are displayed and sold in small shops along the center of the city. Finish off with a drive uphill towards Cuicocha Lake, located inside the crater of Cotacachi volcano (16,200 feet), before traveling back to Quito in the evening.

Discover the vibrant Otavalo Market on this full-day tour, starting with a visit to a traditional bizcocho bakery in Cayambe. Enjoy the unique taste of these local treats before heading to the scenic Cuicocha Crater Lake for a breathtaking view and an optional hike. Explore the charming town of Cotacachi, renowned for its high-quality leather goods. At Otavalo Market, immerse yourself in the colorful array of handcrafted textiles, jewelry, and more, experiencing the rich culture and traditions of Ecuadorian artisans.

On this Otavalo tour in Ecuador you will discover the cultural and natural beauty of this charming place. We will pass by the Cayambe bizcocho factory to try these delicious traditional snacks. The Mirador de Miralago has views of the mountainous, the next destination is the famous Otavalo Market, one of the largest markets in South America, we will have some time to explore and shop here. The Peguche Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall surrounded by great nature to enjoy the tranquility of the environment. Finally, we will go to Ñanda Mandachi, known for its leather artisanal products and before returning to the city of Quito.

Depart Quito and journey towards the Guayllabamba valley to visit Cayambe town. Pass over the line of the equator and continue towards the largest indigenous market in South America. Shop for souvenir textiles and traditional crafts at the Mercado de Ponchos, where the locals sell tagua nut jewelry, fake shrunken heads, hand-painted trays, spices, spools of wool and other interesting items under mushroom-shaped umbrellas. Get back to nature at the Peguche waterfall, popular with the locals who go there to take a sacred bath on the eve of Inti Raymi. Continue towards to visit Ñanda Mañachi cultural house, here you will learn more about people from Otavalo.

From Quito to Otavalo there is a 2 hour bus ride, but in our tour we visit 6 different attractions between Quito and Otavalo in one day. Our trip is by the Panamericana Norte to get to the Quitsato Sundial, located in the Cayambe canton, named after the snow-capped mountain present in the place. This cultural site built to measure the solstices and equinoxes, in pre-Hispanic times, also considered the “other half of the world”, since the equator or equinoctial line crosses this place and half of the top of the snowy Cayambe. Its people live from livestock, agriculture, a sector dedicated to harvesting roses for export. To know its gastronomy we have a stop to have a cup of Ecuadorian coffee or chocolate with bizcochos; which are like a type of small breads made in oven with an incomparable flavor and the best of all that we will enter to see its elaboration process. Our next place to visit is Otavalo. It is located in the province of Imbabura known as the Province of the Lakes, a few minutes to reach our main destination, we have a viewpoint towards the lagoon of San Pablo and in the background the Imbabura hill, to decorate the landscape. Then we arrive at the largest and most important indigenous handicraft market in South America, it is possible to visit this market every day of the week. But in our 1 day tour we coincide with the days of the biggest fair where all the artisans gather in the Plaza de los Ponchos, here we have 2 hours to shop and then head to Cotacachi. Here we will find another handicraft market specializing in leather products, being a small place we have 45 minutes. Our last place is the Cuicocha Lagoon located at 3068m (10065.62 feet) in an active volcanic crater with islets or domes and plant observation. -Departure from Plaza Foch at 7:15 AM (Reina Victoria and Mariscal Foch) -Departure from Plaza San Blas at 7:30 AM (Francisco de Caldas and Av. Pichincha). -Quitsato solar clock. -Cayambe biscuit factory (Optional breakfast). -Visit the viewpoint of Lake San Pablo. -Plaza de Ponchos. -Lunch. -Visit to the Cuicocha Lagoon. -Visit to the town of Cotacachi. -Return to Quito.

Begin your adventure in the morning with pickup from a hotel or pickup point, and meet your guide for the day. Travel from Otavalo to Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve. Travel to the Lake Cuicocha area of the park, at over 10,000 feet above sea level. Start the hike around the lake, which will last around 5 hours. Listen as your guide teaches you about local wildlife and the plants that can be found along the trail. Finish the hike and take some free time to have a coffee and explore the city of Cotacachi where you can visit shops and wander the city's streets.