Full Day Private Tour of Otavalo and its surroundings
Description
Our first stop will be in Cachiviro on the shores of Lake San Pablo, where we will taste the traditional and delicious cakes and cheese accompanied by a good coffee and the best landscape we can imagine next to the Imbabura volcano. We continue with the visit to the Peguche waterfall, where we will have a walk of about half an hour through the path that leads to this attractive. Finally we will visit the ponchos market in the city of Otavalo, this place has become a concentrating square of Ecuador’s artisan offer, it is recognized as the largest indigenous fair in South America, where more than three thousand artisans offer their products, in this place we will have adequate time to tour every corner and buy the products that are to our liking. Before returning to Quito we will taste a typical lunch of the place. The service is private and all tours are with a tour professional who is also a certified guide.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We make you live the experience and enjoy the moment, in this tour you will learn more about the north of Ecuador, its customs, traditions and landscapes. Our first stop will be at Lake San Pablo, where we will enjoy a spectacular landscape next to the Imbabura volcano, we will also taste the traditional biscuits with cheese together with a delicious hot coffee.
Our second stop is the beautiful Peguche waterfall, surrounded by fragrant eucalyptus forests, a favorite place for excursions, full of mysticism and history, located in the heart of the indigenous community of Faccha Llacta. In the "Manto Blanco" waterfall, which is reached after a short walk, where the shamans perform ceremonies and cleanse other people of bad energy. The Peguche community is a large artisan workshop where bags, ponchos, rugs, and handicrafts are made. Musical instruments are also made.
Our last stop will be in the city of Otavalo, here we will visit the traditional and colorful market of the Ponchos, located 96 km from Quito, it is considered the capital of Ecuadorian handicrafts, due to the variety and quality of products that are offered to the visitors. It is internationally famous for its traditional indigenous artisan market, the Ponchos market is recognized as the largest indigenous fair in South America, where more than three thousand artisans offer their products. It has become a place of concentration of the artisan offer of Ecuador. There are colorful woolen ponchos and rugs from the nearby community of Peguche, hand-woven sheep's wool sacks, different leather products made in Cotacachi, handmade ceramic masks, tablecloths, bags, hats, purses, and other typical crafts from the place. Finally before returning to Quito we will taste a delicious and traditional lunch.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We will communicate by WhatsApp to give basic instructions before the start of the tour and to coordinate the meeting point. The tour is done by private transport, in a white Chevrolet Grand Vitara with all the biosecurity measures. For this tour it is necessary to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, also sunscreen.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(82)
We want to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation for our incredible trip to Otavalo in Ecuador. Our driver and tour guide, Andres, was an absolute gem. His extensive knowledge of the places we visited and his ability to share fascinating insights about his country, Ecuador, made the entire journey an enriching and enjoyable experience. Andres’s exceptional skills as a tour guide are truly commendable. Not only did he provide us with a wealth of information, but he also ensured that we felt safe and relaxed throughout the trip. While driving in Ecuador can be challenging, Andres’s driving expertise put our minds at ease, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of the country. We wholeheartedly recommend Andres as an outstanding tour guide. His exceptional English skills further enhance his ability to communicate effectively with our group. If we ever find ourselves in Ecuador again, we will undoubtedly seek his guidance and expertise for our next adventure.
Thank you very much! I hope you come back to Ecuador soon. It was a real pleasure spending the day with you.
Daniel M. was working with Andres. And was very professional and knowledgeable. Could be used as a trainer for younger tour guides. Would gladly use him on future visits.
Andres picked us up at our hotel in Quito promptly at 8:30 AM. We started the drive to Otavalo, about a 2 hour drive north of Quito. Along the way Andres pointed out how the vegetation changes and all of the greenhouses used to grow roses and other flowers, one of the main exports of Ecuador. We stopped at Cachiviro to see the Imbabura volcano. While we were there he provided a snack for us of traditional biscuits and tea. I had informed him that my granddaughter had dietary restrictions and he provided a separate snack for her. Following a stop and hike at the Peguche waterfall we went to Otavalo to the indigenous marketplace. Andres was very patient, carried all of our purchases, did some translating for us, and then took us to a restaurant for a delicious lunch. He modified some of our routes to accommodate my physical limitations which was very much appreciated. He took us back to our hotel in Quito at the appointed time. I would highly recommend this tour and Andres as a tour guide.
Andres was a super guide. Full of knowledge and helpful. We highly recommend him and this tour. A+++++++
Thanks a lot Roxana!! it was a pleasure for me.
Andres was a great guide, very knowledgeable and personal. We enjoyed our tour very much.
The trip was amazing, highly recommend!!! We had a lovely time with our guide Andres who showed us local spots in and around Otavalo. The highlight for us was the time at the textile market at the end of the trip, such a unique experience and came home with amazing handcrafted goods we'll keep forever :)
We had a wonderful day touring Otavalo with Andres! He was so accommodating and took exceptional care of us! We enjoyed not just the market but also the hike and delicious snack by the lake. Andres was flexible in catering to our interests, and sharing his knowledge of the region and culture. His genuine kindness was appreciated! I would not hesitate to recommend him to others.
This trip was spectacular! I think because it’s a private tour, the guide really takes into account individual preferences and really makes this excursion extra special for everyone on the trip. He was a fantastic guide, a great photographer, and gave us a true tour of the history and culture. I would absolutely do more tours with him and recommend this to everyone!
Great peek at Ecuador's natural wonders and indigenous roots! The clear itinerary made it easy to know what to expect, and our guide Andrés had great rapport both with the us, our other guest, and all the locals we encountered on the trip. If the screenshots and itinerary appeal to you, know that you are in good hands to receive the advertised experience!
This tour with Andres was such a big disappointment! My advice — find another guide. We paid extra for a private tour so we could have a little flexibility & got the opposite. We were met with rude & controlling behavior, got angry when we asked for bathroom breaks or walk to ATM, and we even feared for our safety when he was driving - angrily shouting out at all the “crazy” people. We didn’t get to choose or buy the Biscochos & coffee ourselves since he brought them himself with tea in a thermos, we didn’t have enough time at the market since we were rushed, we didn’t stop for lunch, and he didn’t stop at the churches just a few blocks down from Ponchos Square, as we had previously asked & he had agreed to beforehand. Again, a huge disappointment for our one & only time to experience Otavalo Market, all due to this angry, infantile guide ☹️
My excellent service is reflected in my reviews. In several years of work, I've never had a problem with any client, and I'm truly surprised to read this negative comment after almost a month. I'm not going to say anything bad about my clients, but we did the tour without any issues that day. All the activities were carried out, including extra activities that weren't included. They asked me to take them to their hotel and then drop them off at another hotel, which I gladly did. It was raining heavily that day, and they even gave me a tip and thanked me for everything. I don't understand this comment at all. Please read the itinerary carefully. I don't want to have this kind of problem again. It is clear that they intend to harm my work, for no reason whatsoever. I even have photos as backup from that day.
