Otavalo Marketplace and Cotacachi Town from Quito

4.8 (5 reviews) Quito, Ecuador
Duration7h - 8h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 12 travelers
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

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.

What's included

  • Transportation Quito - Otavalo - Quito * - Tuesday & Saturdays departures: (Meeting Point - La Mariscal) | Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun departures (your hotel in Quito - Hotels within the urban perimeter ONLY)
  • Lunch
  • Bilingual Guide
  • Additional Entrances fee
  • Items not mentioned on the itinerary

What to expect

  1. San Pablo Del Lago
    Pass by
    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.
  2. Mercado Artesania Otavalo
    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).

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Departure Point: Tuesday & Saturdays: (Meeting Point)
Barrio Mariscal in Quito - Ecuador (Magic Bean Restaurant or Q Restaurant, both located at Barrio Mariscal at Mariscal Foch y Juan León Mera).

At the final confirmation we send the exact meeting point.

End point

Departure Point: Tuesday & Saturdays: (Meeting Point)
Barrio Mariscal in Quito - Ecuador (Magic Bean Restaurant or Q Restaurant, both located at Barrio Mariscal at Mariscal Foch y Juan León Mera).

At the final confirmation we send the exact meeting point.

Pickup details

Departure Point: Tuesday & Saturdays: (Meeting Point)
Barrio Mariscal in Quito - Ecuador (Magic Bean Restaurant or Q Restaurant, both located at Barrio Mariscal at Mariscal Foch y Juan León Mera).

Note: The exact point of departure will be informed upon confirmation.

Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun:
Your hotel in Quito - Please inform us of your hotel of stay (hotels within the urban perimeter ONLY).
Address: Tuesday & Saturdays: (Meeting Point):
Magic Bean Restaurant or "Q" Restaurant located at Barrio Mariscal at Mariscal y Juan León Mera (Quito - Ecuador)
IMPORTANT NOTE: A voucher will be sent with the exact place and time to start the tour.

Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun:
Your hotel in Quito - Please inform us of your hotel of stay (hotels within the urban perimeter ONLY).
Dates: See Availability
Return point: Tuesday & Saturdays: (Meeting Point):
Magic Bean Restaurant or "Q" Restaurant located at Barrio Mariscal at Mariscal y Juan León Mera (Quito - Ecuador)
IMPORTANT NOTE: A voucher will be sent with the exact place and time to start the tour.

Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun:
Your hotel in Quito - Please inform us of your hotel of stay (hotels within the urban perimeter ONLY).
Tuesday & Saturdays: (Meeting Point)
6:50 am. Please arrive at the meeting point (La Mariscal) at least 10 min before departure time

Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun: (your hotel in Quito - Hotels within the urban perimeter ONLY)
8h30 - 9h00am. Starting time may change. The pick-up time will be confirmed in the Service Voucher send by the Tour Operator through the Viator platform. 
Note: Please be ready at your hotel lobby 10 min before departure time.

Additional information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.8 (5)
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$77.00 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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