Otavalo Full Day: Experience Mountains, Crafts and Culture in a Family Setting
5.0
10 Ratings
Cayambe

I aim to offer you a familial experience. I’ll take you to the place where I was raised, where I’ve marveled at beautiful scenery and been exposed to diverse cultures. I want to impart my experiences to make your visit truly memorable. Plus, traveling overland is both serene and secure.

Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Quitsato Sundial - A stop on the Equator line in Cayambe, with a different explanation of the traditional Monument that is near Quito. This stop can be optional
  • Lago San Pablo - Photographic scene to capture beautiful memories of the largest lake in the province of Imbabura
  • Tahuantinsuyo Weaving Workshop - Finally, in the afternoon we can visit the workshop of Miguel Anrango, famous for showing us the complete process to make sweaters, carpets or blankets otavaleños, you can appreciate this artistic process and really take an invaluable memory of Otavalo.
  • Otavalo Market - Our tour starts in the traditional market of ponchos in Otavalo. If you want we can make a short shopping tour of this place, passing 1 hour before continuing the trip. If not, we can continue on our way to Lake Mojanda.
  • Cotacachi - Cotacachi is a city that attracts retirees from various parts of the world for its tranquility, but also for its art and leather crafts. Here we can have lunch and then do a shopping tour
What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Bottled water
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
  • Boat trip
  • Lunch
  • Tickets for some of the places
  • Personal expenses
Location
Quitsato Sundial
Av 10 de Agosto
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(10 Ratings)
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Parisp321
Apr 18, 2024
Jorge was an amazing tour guide! - Jorge was an amazing tour guide! He picked me up from UIO and took me to landmarks in Otavalo and Cotacachi for a recent 3-day weekend trip. He was very punctual with picking me up at our designated times each morning. He also had a wealth of knowledge about the area’s history and vendors given his long experience as a local guide. Would highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
13melanien
Oct 14, 2023
Use Jorge! He’s the BEST! - Jorge is the Best! Smart, lifetime resident, cautious driver, sense of humor, flexible and prompt. Always follow through with emails and history of the are Great Guide!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W5217ponancyk
Aug 7, 2023
Otavalo discovery - Jorge was a fantastic guide and we learned so much about the local indigenous culture as well as visiting local artisans, the Ecuator line and learning about the locals way of life. I will definitely book with Jorge again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rochs721
Apr 2, 2023
Otavalo, Intag, Mojanda - We had a perfect two days with Jorge (Tour Express and Transfers) in Otavalo and the surrounding areas. He was very open and attentive to all our special requests and we were able to tailor our trip to include a few days in the beautiful Intag cloud forest, a hike at the Mojanda lakes and, of course, the Otavalo market and the incredible food market. Jorge is reliable, knowledgeable, and an excellent driver. Thank you for a wonderful trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andymu4216tr
Feb 3, 2023
Made our trip that much better - A safe trip and so much more! While Jorge did not personally drive us, the professionalism, safety, and hospitality were still there. Pickup was very accommodating to our schedule, and we even got some excellent side trips in. What I'm seeing as a theme from these other reviews is that Jorge ALWAYS goes above and beyond to make your transport more than just getting from A to B. During our trip from Quito to Otavalo, we made some stops at beautiful vistas, straddled the equator, stopped by at a traditional weaver, saw pan flutes be made, and got some great tips at Plaza de los Ponchos. Overall, our simple trip turned into a great experience and look into Ecuadorian culture, all thanks to Jorge.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rebeccala6078ed
Dec 26, 2022
One Tour wasn't enough I needed more! Jorge was Wonderful! - I originally asked Jorge to just transport me from Quito to Mindo and back but after getting to know him we made arrangements to add a tour of Otavalo and surrounding towns and mountains. What I loved the most is the vast knowledge that Jorge was able to share with me about the culture of Ecuador and the food experience as well as plants, people, animals, and pretty much everything we came across. I am already looking into booking my next trip so that I can return and I plan on only booking tours with Jorge. I felt safe and comfortable. Like I now have a life long friend. If he was to visit Utah I would be his tour guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barbaras
Apr 22, 2022
Great day trip - Great day exploring around Quito area. Went to Otavalo market, then up to a lake. Visited the sundial where the a Equator runs through it and finally we went to a weavers workshop. The workshop was amazing. They get the raw wool, wash it, clean it, card it and then spin the thread. They only use natural substances to die the fibers before weaving in the Backstrap style from ancient times. It was incredible. Our guide Jorge was wonderful.
Review provided by Viator
Steffitravels14
Apr 5, 2020
Fantastic day with Jorge - Jorge was great. He was communicative, on time and a good and safe driver. He extended our day-trip in order to take us everywhere we wanted to go. We had a great time visiting Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, Lugana de Mojanda, Otavalo, Cotacachi and Cayambe. We certainly got to see a lot, it was an action-packed day. We would highly recommend tours with Jorge.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andre
Jan 25, 2020
Super Guide and Driver - My sons and I spent a few days with Jorge on trips from Quito to Otavalo and a cloud forest side trip. He is a wonderful, and very careful driver. The car is immaculate and new (I forget the make) and he makes a real effort to fill you in on what you are seeing and the history of the area. We highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wiumused
Jun 20, 2019
Great tour! - I had a great private tour that brought me to all the places I wanted to go. My tour guide knew I was a musician so he brought me to an instrument maker for a private tour. Then to a weaver. Fantastic! He translated when I did not understand. Really great experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 7 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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