Otavalo 1 DAY Tour

Description

Nestled in the highlands of the northern Andes, around 100km from Quito. Otavalo is well known for its famous handicraft market, it features a huge variety of handmade souvenirs, clothing and jewelry; Walking through its streets you will notice how Otavelenos have remained true to their culture to this day. Other attractions you can find in Otavalo are beautiful lagoons, waterfalls, folkloric music and instruments.

Season	All year
Included	Private round trip transportation Licenced English speaking guide (for 1-3 passengers Driver/Guide) All activities as described in the itinerary.
Not Included	Activities not mentioned Meals and Drinks Personal expenses Tips (Optional)
What to bring	Cap or hat Sport or trekking shoes High factor sun block cream or gel Bottled water to carry with you in tour UV400 sunglasses with 100% UVB block Digital camera or mobile phone Light clothing & rainproof jacket Cash for souvenirs, meals & tipping Backpack to carry personal belongings Passport copy, keep original stored in hotel
Requirements	The places that you visit are flexible. The itinerary can be adapted directly with your guide, depending on your interests.
Departures	Any day
Price	1 Passenger USD 209 p.p 2 Passengers USD 111 P.P 3 Passengers USD 106 p.p 4 – 6 Passengers USD 94 p.p

Itinerary

We will pick you up from your hotel at 8:00. You’ll first pass the towering Cayambe Mountain, which is a sacred place for the locals. With your guide, you’ll also stop for a moment in the town of Cayambe to sample traditional bizcochos, a delectable local pastry prepared using a traditional technique in a wood-fired clay oven. The next stop is a viewpoint where you can enjoy the landscape of the Imbabura Volcano looming above the expansive San Pablo Lake.

Upon reaching Otavalo, you and your private guide will stroll through the world-renowned Plaza Poncho Market for a chance to absorb the feel of an authentic indigenous market and the talented craftspeople who make it possible. These Otavaleños (local villagers) form a prosperous community of skilled textile weavers who gather daily at the market to sell products and socialize, as has been done for centuries. The market is best known for its dazzling array of handicrafts that include embroidered Zuleta blouses and handmade shirts, as well as woven alpaca ponchos, colorful scarves, and woven belts (fajas). Of course, there’s much more than just textiles, as other popular handicrafts include paintings, “Panama hats,” ceramics, leather goods, carvings, and a huge variety of souvenirs for your friends and family back home.

You can spend a few hours wandering through this bustling handicraft market, taking pictures and pleasantly haggling with these vendors who are known for their bargaining skills. You’re sure to fall in love with the variety and quality of artisanal goods, and the palate of colors in every stall, which are why Otavalo is — without a doubt — a must-visit place in Ecuador.

After the Otavalo we will visit a home workshop in the nearby village of Peguche. Here, a family of weavers has amazing wares and will actually demonstrate how they weave on their traditional back-strap looms and how they make striking colors from local plants.

In the afternoon we will go for a short hike around beautiful Cuicocha Lake. Before heading back to Quito, you might also want to visit the village of Cotacachi, where the whole town is dedicated to the production and sale of leather goods, including coats, belts and all kinds of handbags.