Otavalo Indigenous Market Day Trip
Otavalo is one of the most visited and biggest indigenous markets in Latin America, enjoy the beautiful and unique visit with us. Located north of Quito 2h - 30min aprox . Here, thousands of merchants gather to sell their products, including handmade fabrics, embroidered blouses and shirts, and the famous woven alpaca ponchos, mittens and hats. Bursting with a million colors, sounds, and memorable characters, the Otavalo market is without a doubt a must-visit place in Ecuador.
We will leave from your hotel in Quito at 8:00 to begin your full-day tour.
Taking the Panamericaba Highway on the way you could be able to see Cayambe mountain. This 4,690 m (15,387 ft) volcano towers over the Andes and is the highest point on the Equator in the world; it was also a sacred place for the locals. We will stop for a moment in the town of Cayambe to sample the traditional biscochos, a delectable local pastry traditional to the area that is served with cheese or dulce de leche.
The next stop is in the San Pablo viewpoint to enjoy of landscape and photograph the beautiful San Pablo Lake.- You will then take to the road once more to arrive at Otavalo Market.
We will arrive at the local market of Otavalo. On Saturdays, this market extends throughout the entire city of Otavalo, while on the other days of the week, you will find the Plaza de los Ponchos filled with indigenous merchants that bring their products from all over the Andes to sell them here. Practice your bargaining skills with locals, and share a nice moment with them; find an authentic alpaca poncho to call your own; or appreciate the vibrant tapestries or the famous embroidered Zuleta blouses
Lunch will be served in Cotacachi Village, after the Lunch free time to see this small picturesque village where most of its inhabitants are dedicated to the leather industry; shoes, boots, purses, jackets, and many other beautiful clothes can be found here, so take a stroll along the main street, and do some shopping.
After this full day of activities, you will return to Quito to be dropped off at your hotel.