Otavalo Market and Laguna Cuicocha Full-Day Tour from Quito: Discover Indigenous Artisan Culture
4.4
36 Ratings
Quito
Immerse yourself in the vibrant indigenous culture of Ecuador with a full-day tour of Otavalo Market and Laguna Cuicocha. Explore the famous artisan market, hike around the stunning Cuicocha Laguna, and indulge in local cuisine. A perfect blend of culture, nature, and gastronomy.
Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Quitsato Mitad del Mundo Monument - NOTE: THIS IS NOT THE MAIN MONUMENT

Entrance fee to the small Equator monument - $2 per person

The Quitsato Sundial is a cultural-tourist place located at La Mitad Del Mundo, near Cayambe, 47 km north of Quito. It was built in 2006 and inaugurated in 2007 as an independent, non-profit project in a 24,756 ft² (2300 m²) area. Its main goal is to share crucial aspects of the astronomical knowledge of the prehispanic cultures of the region. The expositions are carried out by community members as a self-sustaining project. According to Google Maps, the central pillar is 4 meters south of the true equator.

After this very interesting visit, we will head to a traditional bizcochos factory. You will learn everything about the traditional biscuits of the Cayambe region and, of course, taste those delights!

  • Miralago - We will stop at the viewing point \
What's Included
  • Expert bilingual guide
  • Traditional lunch and bizcochos tasting included
  • Convenient transportation to and from Quito
What's Not Included
  • Market Purchases
  • Quitsato Entrance Fee (Equator Line) $2 per person
  • Tips
Additional Information

The Otavalo cultural tour is a wonderful way to discover and combine the famous artisan indigenous market in Ecuador with some of the most amazing views nearby the capital.

Wander around one of the most famous indigenous markets of South America, walk on the Equator Line, taste delicious bizcochos, hike around the beautiful Cuicocha Laguna, visit the Cotacachi leather-town and savour a local lunch - the perfect mix of culture, nature, history, and gastronomy.

  • The tour operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances
  • Necessary equipment: Warm clothes, gloves, hat. Sunglasses & Sunscreen. Water, snacks. Hiking shoes. Camera and Waterproof jacket. Cash.
Location
Plaza Foch
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.4
(36 Ratings)
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212marisols
May 17, 2023
Great experience, totally worth it!!!! - We had a great experience with our tour guide Stui! He told us so much about the volcanos, the history and people of the region! We enjoyed the tour because we got to taste Bizcochos at the place where they are made, we went to Lago de San Pablo, the Otavalo market, Cotacachi and hiked a bit in Cuicocha to see the beautiful lake! This experience was amazing,many thanks to our guide Stui, you are going a great job!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rachel_l
Jul 12, 2021
A wonderful tour!! - We had a wonderful time on this tour!! Instructions were clear on meeting points since the tour was public. We had the best tour guides, Carlos and Alejandro!!! They were so nice, knowledgeable and such positive energy!! We went to the Laguna Cuicocha, the markets and the Middle of the World! Each spot on the tour was informational and exciting! Lunch was delicious and good options for vegetarians which I appreciated! 10/10 would do again!!
Review provided by Viator
Pugdog007
Oct 26, 2020
AWESOME day trip from Quito - Due to covid restrictions, we were not able to do a shared tour but were able to set up a private tour to Otavalo Market. What a wonderful day! Andres was prompt and knowledgeable about the tour and gave us great tips. We thoroughly enjoyed our day trip outside of Quito!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Soccerkid
Mar 20, 2020
Full day Otavalo Customized Private Tour was Excellent - March 12, 2020 - I hired EcuaTouring for a private, solo full day tour to Otavalo Market & Town, Cotacachi and Cuicocha volcanic crater lake. My combined driver and tourguide was Ivan Felicita --- he was excellent! He very good and safe driver, hiking companion and very knowledgeable for all the stops we made --- he speaks excellent English --- it made for a very special day! Michael at EcuaTouring was also very helpful and efficient in communicating and organizing my tour --- all worked out very well just a few days before Ecuador closed its borders and airports to combat the coronavirus --- did it in a nick of time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alyssab316
Jan 9, 2020
Great day trip from Quito - I enjoyed all the places we visited on this tour, and it’s a great way to see the countryside outside Quito. Our guide Gabriel was wonderful! He was very friendly, attentive and informative. I highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mourad
Dec 10, 2019
great place to shop close to the park where you could by local arts and nesr the hilton hotel - it is great try to bargain the price also be aware of fake $5 bills there are a lot do not accept them in your change :) no 5$ bills counterfeit
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christopher
Aug 11, 2019
GREAT EXPERIENCE - This trip was THE best of the 4 we took. It's EARLY with a 7am pick up at the Magic Bean restaurant. NO breakfast here. It doesn't open until after 7. Gabriel did an EXCELLENT job. He talked enough, answered questions and knew when to be quiet. You do have a light breakfast opportunity at Cayambe, which is famous for a native biscuit, Bizcochos. They go well with caramel. The owner gave a presentation about how they are made and offered samples. You go across the street to the "Mitidad Del Mundo" site. We skipped it as we'd already seen the site in Quito. Next stop is a beautiful viewing area at Mira Lago overlooking San Pablo Lake. Direct to Otavalo and the native market. Gabriel specifies the time/place to meet and leaves you to explore. We purchased many high quality handmade items to take home as gifts and a Panama hat for my wife for $20. Don't be hesitant to bargain. 30% off is a good guideline. Lunch was at a local restaurant in Cotacachi which is the leather craft center in Equador. Depending on how the tour goes, you may only have 15-20 minutes AT MOST to walk down the leather goods avenue. If you truly want to shop for handbags, belts, shoes, etc., you may wish to skip lunch or cut it short. Across the plaza is a building with a beautiful native mural on the side. It also contains a bronze statue of what appears to be Bob Marley complete with guitar. However, we've been told it’s not him. Our trip was a small group of only 7 of us. EXCELLENT JOB ECUA TRAVEL!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From505
Jul 18, 2019
Great Day Trip! - It was well wroth it to book this trip to Otavalo instead of going on our own - we were able to stop for coffee and breakfast and go visit a really excited and excellent view of the equator line - no egg balancing but I would say even better than the museum that everyone told me to go. The guide was excellent - I wish I remembered his name! and there was even time to talk with and meet the other people on the tour. I was able to explore Cotacachi with my new friends. You dont just drive up to the market and back - there really is a jam packed day but not at all over whelming, I really recommending this day trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T_berezin
Jun 6, 2019
Fun trip - We enjoyed the day trip to the Equator Sundial and Otavalo. The stop at the lake was beautiful. Our guide was knowledgeable and fun.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ralph_b
Nov 24, 2021
Locating someone... - Locating someone (actually her mother) whose photo I had taken a few years ago and which was selected for a 2022 international calendar, a copy of which I took for her.
Review provided by Viator
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May 2024
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