9-Hour Otavalo Market Tour with Cotacachi and Cuicocha Lake

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore Otavalo Market, one of the largest outdoor markets in South America
• 02 Browse artisanal products, jewelry, textiles, and leather goods at Plaza de Ponchos
• 03 Visit Cotacachi, known for its beautifully crafted leather goods
• 04 Discover Cuicocha Lake inside a volcanic crater

Discover one of the largest outdoor markets in South America on this full-day tour to Otavalo. The Otavalo Market is renowned for its artisanal products, jewelry, textiles, and leather goods, while the Otavalo people are especially famous for weaving ponchos, shawls, sweaters, scarves, and rugs. You'll also see the traditional garments worn by the Otavalo people, including ponchos, blouses, anacos, skirts, and sashes.

Discover one of the largest outdoor markets in South America on this full-day tour to Otavalo.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Quito, Otavalo

Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Explore Otavalo Market, Cotacachi, and Cuicocha Lake

• The market is the main attraction on this tour. It is a square where local inhabitants sell products made by their own hands. The owners of this land will show you its colors and textures.
• Cotacachi is the town where local inhabitants transform leather into beautiful items such as purses, jackets, belts, shoes, and more.
• Cuicocha Lake lies inside a volcanic crater. This volcano shows its activity through gases coming from the heart of the volcano.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Guiding
• Private transportation

What's Not Included

• Food
• Drinks
• Entrances or tickets

What to bring

• Bring a camera or cellphone, and always wear a hat because the sun is strong.
• Bring cash because not everybody accepts credit cards, as well as sunscreen and sunglasses.

Know before you go

• Weather can affect the tour.
• Demonstrations can stop and end the tour, although the chance is low.
• You can bargain at the market.
• There is a gallery where products are made from alpaca and sheep wool. At the market, there are no alpaca products.
• I can customize the tour depending on your wishes. We have more places to visit, but I need to know your ideas.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Quito, Ecuador

Tour start

Cuicocha, Ecuador

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.