Full Day in Otavalo Area Culture and Shopping

Enjoy a full-day tour in the Otavalo Area. We will visit the largest indigenous market in Latin America and browse stalls for colorful, artisan souvenirs and delicious flavors. We will visit Lago San Pablo, where you will be able to admire its breathtaking beauty. We will also visit a Bizchochos Artesanal factory, the spectacular Cuicocha lagoon, Cotacachi leather town, and more.

1. 1

   Quitsato Sundial

   30 min

   From Quito to Otavalo we have 2 hours by direct bus, but in our 1-day tour on a shared basis, we visit 6 different attractions between Quito and Otavalo in one full day. Our trip is along the Pan-American Highway north to get to the Quitsato solar clock, located in the Cayambe canton, named after the snowy mountain present there. This cultural site was built to measure the solstices and equinoxes, in pre-Hispanic times, also considered the "other middle of the world", the equator line crosses this place in the middle of the Cayambe mountain's summit. Its people live from livestock, and agriculture, a sector dedicated to harvesting roses for export.

2. 2

   Fabrica de Bizcochos San Pedro

   30 min

   we have a stop to take a cup of Ecuadorian coffee or chocolate with some Biscochos, which are like a type of small bread made in the oven with an incomparable flavor, and best of all we will enter to see its elaboration process.

3. 3

   Lago San Pablo

   10 min

   Our next site to visit is Otavalo. It is located in the Imbabura province known as the Province of the Lakes, a few minutes from our main destination, we have a viewpoint of the San Pablo lake and in the background the Imbabura hill, to decorate the landscape.

4. 4

   Plaza De Los Ponchos Mercado

   1.8 hours

   Then we arrive at the biggest 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 the days of the biggest fair where all the artisans meet in La Plaza de los Ponchos, here we have 2 hours of shopping

5. 5

   Cotacachi

   1.5 hours

   later we go to Cotacachi. Here we will find another craft market specialized in leather products, as it is a small place we have 45min to see the market and another 45 minutes for lunch in Cotacachi.

6. 6

   Cuicocha Lake

   30 min

   Our last place is the Cuicocha Lagoon located at 3068m (10.065.62 ft) in an active volcanic crater with islets or domes and plant observation.

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• All times mentioned are estimated
• We can accommodate dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. If you have dietary requirements. Please kindly indicate it to the special requirements at the time of booking.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.