GTLT – 14 – QUITO
Otavalo Market & Andean Lakes
Full Day – Private
Daily
ITINERARY
This morning you will leave Quito with your tour guide, heading to Otavalo, the town famous for its weekly artesian market. On route on the Panamerican Highway we will stop at Calderon, a town where the famous masapan dolls are made, continuing on through Guayllabamba town where you can sample its typical fruit the “chirimoya”. We will also stop on the highway to admire the beautiful landscape and snow-capped mountains in the area. We continue on, making a short stop at San Pablo Lake before arriving in Otavalo. Here we will visit the textile market located at the “Plaza of Ponchos”; this is one of the most famous markets in South America. You will find all kinds of handcrafts including tapestries made on the Spanish weaving loom as well as the indigenous back strap loom. Afterwards you will enjoy some free time for bargaining and buying with the friendly Otavaleños.
We will then head for a walk around the crater lake at Cuicocha lake, here we can see wild orchids, spot hummingbirds and be awed by the breathtaking Andean scenery. Lunch will be shared with a local indigenous family in the outskirts of the town of Cotacachi. Then we will return to Quito late afternoon/ early evening and you will be taken to your hotel.