Otavalo Day Trip

Are you ready for a unique experience in Ecuador with Otavalo Day Trip?

Otavalo Day Trip invites you to discover the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes, where breathtaking landscapes, rich ancestral culture, and the warmth of its people come together.

Your day begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Quito; get ready to discover the best of this fascinating region of the Ecuadorian Andes. The first stop on the Otavalo Tour will be in Cayambe, where you can visit a traditional biscuit factory and learn about the process of making the famous Cayambe biscuits. Enjoy them with hot chocolate and cheese, a true Ecuadorian delicacy.

Next, the tour continues to the San Pablo Lake viewpoint, “Miralago,” from where you can admire the spectacular San Pablo Lake, surrounded by majestic mountains. This viewpoint offers panoramic views that will allow you to connect with the natural beauty of the area.

The next stop is the Otavalo Indigenous Market, also known as the Plaza de Ponchos. One of the world’s largest and most famous indigenous markets, renowned for its vibrant array of handicrafts. Here, you can stroll among stalls overflowing with textiles, jewelry, ceramics, and more, and take home a unique souvenir of your visit.

Continuing the Otavalo Tour, you’ll visit the protected forest and Peguche Waterfall, a majestic 30-meter-high cascade. This natural site is also an important ceremonial location for indigenous communities, where purification baths and ceremonial rituals are performed before the Inti Raymi celebration.

Finally, the Otavalo Tour will take you to Cuicocha Lagoon in Cotacachi. This stunning lake, surrounded by natural landscapes, is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the serenity of the surroundings.

With our Otavalo tour, you’ll experience something truly unique! A journey that blends culture, nature, and adventure, connecting you with the essence of the Ecuadorian Andes.

Highlights

• Visit the bizcocho factory in Cayambe, where we enjoy a tasting and learn more about its preparation.
• Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Lake San Pablo from the “Miralago” viewpoint.
• Explore the Plaza de los Ponchos or Otavalo's indigenous market, where you will encounter a wide variety of crafts, textiles, jewelry and ceramics.
• Admire the Cascada de Peguche, an imposing water caída of 30 meters of altitude.
• Laguna de Cuicocha, the ancient crater of the Cotacachi volcano, a mystical and beautiful natural environment.

Itinerary

1. Stop 1Traditional Biscuits Factory

   

   Once we pick you up at your hotel in Quito, we'll head to the first stop on the tour: the Cayambe biscuit factory. You'll learn about the process of making these delicious biscuits, which are served warm with chocolate, and you'll have the opportunity to taste them with warm cheese and a cup of Ecuadorian coffee or hot chocolate.

2. Stop 2Miralago viewpoint

   

   After enjoying the delicious biscuits of Cayambe, we'll visit the "Miralago" viewpoint at the southern entrance to Otavalo. From here, you can admire panoramic views of the Imbabura volcano and San Pablo Lagoon, the perfect spot to relax and take stunning photos before continuing on to the Otavalo market.

3. Stop 3Otavalo Indigenous Market

   

   We continue our tour of Otavalo's famous indigenous market, the Plaza de Ponchos, one of the largest in South America. You'll discover an incredible variety of local crafts, such as textiles, ponchos, backpacks, jewelry, and ceramics, all products of Andean culture and tradition. A perfect place to buy souvenirs of Ecuador!

4. Stop 4Peguche Waterfall

   

   Visit the Bosque Protector and the Cascada de Peguche, a natural sanctuary of great cultural value. We travel by a sender up to the imposing waterfall of 30 meters, considered a sacred location for the local community, where rituals and purification baths are carried out during the Inti Raymi.

5. Stop 5Cuicocha Lagoon

   

   We finished the tour in Otavalo in the impressive Laguna de Cuicocha, a volcanic crater riddled with mountains. This beautiful lake, known for its natural beauty and ancestral eyes, offers a peaceful walk by the viewpoint or an optional boat ride (extra cost) to enjoy unique views, before returning to Quito.

Prices per person