Otavalo Private Tour: Experience Artisan Markets and Natural Sights in Ecuador
5.0
21 Ratings
San Pablo Del Lago
Embark on a private tour of Otavalo in Ecuador and explore artisan markets, natural sights, and cultural landmarks. Taste traditional treats, visit the Peguche waterfall, and shop at the largest indigenous fair in South America.
Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Lago San Pablo - 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.
  • Cascada de Peguche - 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.
  • Otavalo Market - 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.
What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Surcharges on fuel
  • Parking fees
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Our first stop will be in Cachiviro on the shores of Lake San Pablo, in this place we will taste the traditional and delicious biscuits with 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 approximately one hour through the path that leads us to this attraction.
Finally, we will visit the ponchos market in the city of Otavalo, this place has become a concentration square for the artisan offer of Ecuador, 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 visit every corner and buy the products that we like.
Before returning to Quito we will taste a typical local lunch.
The service is private and all tours are with a tourism professional who is also a certified guide.

Location
Lago San Pablo
Calle Lago
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(21 Ratings)
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Yyesiamtrish2
Mar 26, 2024
Excellent day with Andres - An absolutely wonderful day with an excellent tour guide in Andres. He’s knowledgeable, patient, experienced. We loved the trip to the lake, the falls and the Otavalo market. His recommendation for lunch was perfect. He was so helpful in negotiating prices in the market, and even went out of his way to help us buy some tea at a local supermarket. we highly recommend Andres and would definitely use him again should we return to Ecuador.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Backpacker774315
Feb 27, 2024
Interesting and fun tourism. - Andres is an excellent guide! He knows the area and the people very well. He always has good recommendations and makes the day fun, very personalized tourism.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Conner_s
Feb 26, 2024
Cannot recommend enough - This was such a great trip with Andres! He was very communicative, prompt to pick up in the morning, and a safe driver. Andres is also very knowledgeable about Quito, and the surrounding region. The places he took us were amazing, and it was clear that he approached his work with a lot of thoughtfulness. I would 100% recommend Andres as a guide to a friend and plan to take more trips with him while I am in Ecuador!
Review provided by Viator
Isabelleinmtl
Feb 25, 2024
Best Otavalo Private Tour - Highly Recommended - Had a fantastic day! Andres is a terrific guide! He is punctual, highly knowledgeable, and has a great sense of humour. He can customize the trip based on your preferences, and he'll take a bunch of great photos for you. He also helped negotiate prices at the market. In addition to his flawless professionalism, he is a great driver and navigates Quito's traffic very smoothly. 10/10 would recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anonymous
Jan 30, 2024
Andres is an awesome guide!! - Andres went out of his way to expose us to local life, from stopping for biscochos at a roadside restaurant to explaining the current and past uses of the Peguche waterfall. When we were looking for chocolates and hot sauces that weren't sold at the Otavalo market, he made a point of finding 2 different stores near the market that did sell these items. Overall, a great experience. And Andres is a nice guy to boot. Highly recommend -- booked this tour based on past reviews of Andres, and he didn't disappoint!!
Review provided by Viator
124carrieg
Jan 18, 2024
Great tour and super fun shopping in Otavalo. If you haven't been on a swing in awhile, get ready! - Andres is a great guide! He has stellar communication and was very flexible during the day to accommodate my shopping and my preferences. The lunch place is absolutely delicious and the people there are also super friendly. It's a great way to experience Otavalo especially as a private tour. He can also help you barter if you're shy. I highly recommend this excursion!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
M8781ibjesusg
Dec 16, 2023
Look no further, this is your best tour option! - I would highly recommend this tour to anyone! Andres is extremely nice and knowledgable! He made this whole experience a trip to remember! He also helped us get souvenirs for really goof prices! Whether you are a solo traveler, or traveling with a group of friends, Andres and his tours are definitely worth booking!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarafj4049kb
Oct 25, 2023
Otovalo with Andres! - Andres is a terrific guide! He goes the extra mile to create a great experience…. Bringing treats and tea, stopping for ice cream, helping us at the market to name just a few. He’s incredibly polite and knows so much about the sites we were seeing. If you’re unsure about whether to sign up with him… do it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Doug_pat2014
Sep 20, 2023
What a Day! - Otavalo was a great introduction to Ecuadorian countryside, especially because of our wonderful guide, Andres. He showed us so much that we wouldn't have seen on our own, explaining in fluent English what we were experiencing. He worked hard to tailor the day to our needs, including yummy treats. Don't miss bizcochos with Andres!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonathanr1023
Aug 23, 2023
Otavalo Tour - Great experience. Andres very informative, friendly, and flexible with tour itinerary. We saw many interesting things on tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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