LTE-QDT005: Otavalo Market Full Day (Day trip from Quito)

We head 1.5hrs north of Quito to visit the Otavalo indigenous market; the most important indigenous market in South America. On the way, we pass by small villages, the snow capped volcano Cayambe, the San Pablo Lake, and the Imbabura Volcano. In the city of Cayambe, we make a quick stop to try the traditional biscuits before continuing to Otavalo. The market is the largest of its kind in South America, offering many different kinds of arts and crafts from local communities.

Detailed Itinerary (Full Day)

We pick you up at your hotel in Quito at about 8:00 am, from where we head north and pass the small town of Calderon, the Guayllamba Valley, and the city of Cayambe, hurdle below the snow capped volcano with the same name. Along the way, we will see valleys full of rose plantations.

We then enter into the Imbabura Province, and soon we will pass by the San Pablo Lake and the Imbabura Volcano situated right by it.

At the market, we will find a large gathering of indigenous from the 17 + surrounding communities that compose the Otavalo ethnic group. Learn to bargain for ponchos, sweaters, and local handcrafted goods produced in different small villages, all specializing in their own type of craft.

Return transfer departs from the market at 17:00 (5pm). We take an alternate route passing by Tabacundo; this is a very scenic route as we will traverse large canyons and cliffs going through the North Andes Corridor.

Andean Valleys

The irregular topography of the Andes creates a beautiful backdrop for the passing rivers and snow-capped mountains.

Cayambe Volcano If the weather is good, we will be able to view one of the most beautiful mountains in the country with its perfect cone shaped summit, covered by eternal snow and crossed by the Equator line.

Imbabura Volcano and the San Pablo Lake Two of the most picturesque ingredients in Ecuador’s landscape, the scene of local legends, and with small rural villages that have established themselves by their side.

The Otavalo Market A famous indigenous gathering, where local communities get together and share their social life and bring out their goods - such as woodcarvings, tapestries, wool sweaters, ponchos, Andean musical instruments, paintings, etc - for sale and trade. Many different forms of folk art can be appreciated and bought at very low prices.