This wonderful visit takes you to meet the local community of Otavalo town, where you can enjoy and learn about their special crafts and enjoy their colourful market. Also, you have the chance to visit the wonderful Cuicocha Lake near the area where you can learn how this crater lake was formed.

Today you depart from Quito in the morning, taking the highway towards the northern part of Ecuador, through Cordillera de Los Andes. The first volcano you are able to spot from the road is Cayambe, which has a permanent snow cap. The road continues to the little town of Cayambe, which is famous for its special fresh cheese, biscuits and caramel paste, called «dulce de leche». Your guide and driver take you to a local café for a degustation.
After 20 more minutes on the road, Otavalo Market welcomes you! This market is very famous around the world for its beautiful handmade crafts, such as colourful clothes, hammocks, tapestries, paintings, alpaca goods and much more. Otavaleños design their crafts with special colours and symbols, representing the earth and nature or “Pachamama” (Mother Earth) as they call it in Quichua, which is their native language and is still spoken in many Indigenous communities through the Andes.
Lunch is served in a local hacienda (optional), where you have some time to relax and explore.
After this visit, you have the option to do one last stop at Cotacachi town (also well known for its leather goods) and visit Cuicocha Lake, a crater lake that was formed due to melted snow from Cotacachi volcano’s last eruption.
Your guide and driver take you back to Quito, enjoying the beautiful landscape and its volcanoes.

Note: This tour is also available with overnight, including visits to nearby villages and Natural reserves.
Please inquire with us for details.

2 guests: $205
4 guests: $155

Included:

Private guide & driver
Snack at Cayambe town
Visit Otavalo Market
Visit Cuicocha Lake
Visit Cotacachi town
Lunch in a local hacienda
24-hour assistance

Additional:

Meals that are not mentioned
Drinks
Personal expenses
Additional tours and transfers
All that is not mentioned
Travel insurance (strongly suggested)
Tips and gratuities