Otavalo Cultural and Shopping

12-hour full day
Six stops in one day
Easy, relaxed pace
Lunch and permits included
Tuesdays and Saturdays

Duration
12 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Departure
Foch Square at 7:10 a.m. / Zular Coffee Shop (San Blas Square) at 7:20 a.m.
Departure days
Tuesday and Saturday
Languages
English, Spanish

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Tour overview

Quito to Otavalo is two hours by direct bus. We take a full day and turn it into six stops, because the point is not getting there, it is everything on the way.

You stand on the equator at the Quitsato solar clock, built to measure the solstices and the equinoxes and known as the other middle of the world, with the line crossing the summit of Cayambe. In Cayambe itself you watch bizcochos come out of the oven and eat them with Ecuadorian coffee or hot chocolate. Then a viewpoint over San Pablo Lake with Imbabura rising behind it.

The centerpiece is free time in the Plaza de los Ponchos, the largest and most important indigenous handicraft market in South America. We travel on the days of the biggest fair, when artisans from the whole region come down to trade.

The afternoon belongs to the Cuicocha Lagoon at 3,068 m, an active volcanic crater with domes rising out of the water, and 45 minutes in Cotacachi, a town that lives from leather. Easy level, bilingual guide, lunch and permits included. Tuesdays and Saturdays, $56 per person.

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Itinerary

Stop 1: Pick-up in Quito

Departure from Foch Square at 7:10 a.m. or Zular Coffee Shop (San Blas Square) at 7:20 a.m., heading north on the Pan-American Highway.
Stop 2: Bizcocho factory in Cayambe

A stop in Cayambe, a canton that lives from livestock, farming and roses for export, for Ecuadorian coffee or hot chocolate with bizcochos, the small oven-baked breads the town is famous for. You also go in to see how they are made. Breakfast here is optional.
Stop 3: Quitsato Solar Clock

A cultural site built to measure the solstices and equinoxes, also known as the other middle of the world: the equator line crosses here, through the summit of the Cayambe volcano. Ticket $5, not included.
Stop 4: San Pablo Lake viewpoint (optional)

The Mira Lago viewpoint over San Pablo Lake, with the Imbabura mountain in the background. About 15 minutes.
Stop 5: Plaza de los Ponchos, Otavalo

Free time in the largest and most important indigenous handicraft market in South America. Our departure days coincide with the biggest fair, when artisans from the whole region gather in the square.
Stop 6: Cuicocha Lagoon

A walk beside the Cuicocha Lagoon at 3,068 m (10,066 ft), an active volcanic crater with islets and domes, and plenty of plant life to observe.
Stop 7: Lunch

Menu-type lunch included in the price.
Stop 8: Cotacachi and return to Quito

Around 45 minutes in Cotacachi, home to a craft market specialized in leather products, before the drive back to Quito.

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What's included

Included

Bilingual Spanish-English guide
Authorized tourist transportation
Menu-type lunch
Protected area entrance permits

Not included

Extra meals and beverages
Snacks
Tips
VAT
Ticket: $5 Quitsato

What to bring

Comfortable clothes and shoes
Sunglasses
Camera
Sun hat
Sunscreen

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Good to know

How demanding is this tour?

Easy, rated 1 out of 5. It is a relaxed cultural day with short walks at the viewpoints, the markets and the Cuicocha Lagoon.
How long is the day and which days does it run?

A full day of around 12 hours, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Pick-up is at Foch Square at 7:10 a.m. or Zular Coffee Shop (San Blas Square) at 7:20 a.m.
How much time do I get for shopping?

You get free time in the Plaza de los Ponchos in Otavalo on the main fair day, plus around 45 minutes at the leather market in Cotacachi.
What extras should I budget for?

The $5 Quitsato ticket, plus any extra food, drinks, snacks and tips. Lunch, transport, bilingual guide and protected area permits are already included.
What is the weather like?

Average temperature is around 14C / 57F at an average elevation of 2,500 m. Bring comfortable clothes and shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat and sunscreen.