Otavalo Marketplace and Cotacachi Town from Quito

A full-day trip from Quito to Otavalo city, passing through some of the most important towns in the northern Ecuadorian sierra. Witness the most beautiful landscapes of the highlands and have a taste of its delicacies on the way to Otavalo. Take some time to shop in the market (only on Saturdays) and then head to Cotacachi valley. Includes lunch.   

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Pass By: San Pablo Del Lago, San Pablo Del Lago, Imbabura Province

The trip starts early in the morning driving north of Quito towards one of the most famous indigenous market in Ecuador: Otavalo. The first stop en-route will be at Calderon, a small town famous for “Mazapan” handicrafts. Following, you will stop at Cayambe, also famous for its salt biscuits with “leaf cheese” and “manjar”, delicacy you can have a small taste of if you’d like to make stop. Next stop will be a view point to enjoy the landscape of Imbabura volcano (4610 mts.) and San Pablo lagoon.

Stop At: Mercado Artesania Otavalo, Quiroga Sucre, Otavalo 100401 Ecuador

Afterwards, we will enter Otavalo, that holds an Indian Market every Saturday, an ancient tradition and cultural exchange site among the Otavalo community. You my do some shopping in the market, from handicrafts to artisanal made clothing, or you may witness and photograph the site.

We will then continue towards the peaceful Cotacachi Village, famous for its leather and meet the local craftsmen. We will head back to Quito in the late afternoon.

Note: Otavalo holds the local market on Saturdays only. There are usually some exchange activities on Tuesdays, but it depends on the Otavalo villagers.
* IMPORTANT NOTE:

For Tuesday & Saturdays departures (open departures), meet wtih your guide and fellow travellers at 6:45am at the centrally located meeting point at Mariscal Barrio at 6:45am.

For Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun departures, the guide will pick you up at the your hotel in Quito around 8:00 - 9:00am (time will be confirmed on your service voucher).