Otavalo Unveiled: A Day Journey Through Time and Tradition

28 Ratings

Quito

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Embark on a captivating journey through time and tradition in Otavalo, Ecuador. Discover the vibrant culture, art, and nature that make this town a must-visit destination.

Duration: 9 hours

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Go F.A.R. Project Ecuador - Go FAR Offices / CarpeDM Offices will be the meeting point to start the tour in Quito, Ecuador. Located next to Secret Garden Hostel
7:20 am depart Quito Old Town
7.30 am depart Quito Hilton Colon New Town
9:00 am Bizcochos y Queso de Cayambe
9:30 am San pablo lake
10:15 am Plazas de Ponchos of Otavalo approx. 2hrs….

What's Included

Professional guide
Lunch
Private Transport

What's Not Included

What’s Not Included:
Additional Snacks / Beverages
TIPS
Breakfast

Additional Information

Situated at the core of South America, just a couple of hours north from Quito, you’ll find the mysterious town of Otavalo. It’s no ordinary town; it’s a vibrant hub of culture, art, and nature. Recognized throughout the continent for holding the largest Indian handicraft market, Otavalo is much more than a trading center. It’s a canvas of vivid hues,…

Location

Go F.A.R. Project Ecuador

Los Rios

Right Next to Secret Garden Hostel - If you are staying in the New Town Mariscal, we also have a meeting point at Hilton Colon - 7.30am at 7.45am - just let us know upon booking which you prefer.

Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings

5.0

(28 Ratings)

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1 star

Shekosusan_k

Nov 29, 2025

Best Guide you can find in Quito - This was the best day I had in the Quito area. Felipe was an amazing guide and tailored the day so I could select preferences and timing. As a private tour I saw so much more and it was both a beautiful and fascinating day. Felipe has a wealth of knowledge about historic, economic and natural phenomenon. I was impressed and would do it again if I could.

Review provided by Viator

Ingrid

Nov 23, 2025

Fantastic nice trip - recommended - Experiential tour to Otavalo market and Cotacathi. Nice nature and cultural experiences. Several interesting stops along the way. Knowledgeful and nice guide. Recommended!!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Z6549dulukasl

Nov 10, 2025

Otavalo Market tour - Lincoln was a very good guide and had a lot of knowledge i was able to learn a lot on this tour about the country. I would definitely reccomend it and do it again.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Carlos4joy

Nov 8, 2025

Enjoyed this Saturday, first-day in Quito tour - Very good way to start our Quito vacation. It is a van-based vacation (helping get over my altitude sickness on my first day here) and covers a lot of ground. The Saturday Market was great and the tour combined nature, culture, ecotourism and gastronomy. A good complement to other, more Quito-centric tours we’ll do later.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

W1123osstevenr

Nov 8, 2025

Nice start to 2 weeks in Ecuador - The trip to Otavalo provided a good overview of Ecuadorean crafts and indigenous culture, a great way to start our vacation. Felipe had deep knowledge of the area and was very pleasant company.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Gabrielvh3552ky

Sep 23, 2025

Otavalo is amazing! - I had a GREAT experience. To get to know Ecuador through the eyes of the Otavalan people was a time to remember. Our guide, Felipe, was an essential part of it. Thanks to him, I learned a lot more than I expected!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

N1253yydeniseh

Aug 19, 2025

Way more than just a market tour! - Our excursion to Otavallo far exceeded our expectations. We were hoping for a couple of hours to explore the market and to get some guidance from the tour guide around quality and pricing. Felipe, our tour guide, shared so much great information with us about the city and the people as we drove and the tour company does so much to support the local artisans. Felipe first brought us to a great store as an initial stop, where we saw demonstrations and were able to taste traditional biscuits and agave products. Then he took us to another store where he introduced us to two local indigenous women who carry on the traditional culture. They explained their outfits and sold amazing alpaca scarves for a very reasonable price. We were also able to see and photograph alpaca there. Then we went to a store with a woman who showed us how they prepare and dye the alpaca wool and use a loom to create the double sided weavings. Again, amazing products and prices there. Then we had time to shop at the Otavallo market with Felipe's guidance and advice. We did a hike to the lagoon in the volcano crater. We were treated to a delicious authentic lunch at a local resident's home and toured her garden. Last stop was the leather market. A truly amazing day--can't say enough good things about it! A 10 out of 10!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Denise_h

Aug 19, 2025

Way more than a market tour! - Our excursion to Otavallo far exceeded our expectations. We were hoping for a couple of hours to explore the market and to get some guidance from the tour guide around quality and pricing. Felipe, our tour guide, shared so much great information with us about the city and the people as we drove and the tour company does so much to support the local artisans. Felipe first brought us to a great store as an initial stop, where we saw demonstrations and were able to taste traditional biscuits and agave products. Then he took us to another store where he introduced us to two local indigenous women who carry on the traditional culture. They explained their outfits and sold amazing alpaca scarves for a very reasonable price. We were also able to see and photograph alpaca there. Then we went to a store with a woman who showed us how they prepare and dye the alpaca wool and use a loom to create the double sided weavings. Again, amazing products and prices there. Then we had time to shop at the Otavallo market with Felipe's guidance and advice. We did a hike to the lagoon in the volcano crater. We were treated to a delicious authentic lunch at a local resident's home and toured her garden. Last stop was the leather market. A truly amazing day--can't say enough good things about it! A 10 out of 10!

Review provided by Viator

Kayfragomeni

Jul 26, 2025

A Trip Away From Quito - This trip outside the city was amazing! There was so much to see and learn in Otavalo and Cotacachi. Felipe was a great guide.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Charlton

Jun 14, 2025

Great day trip - It was a pleasant day spent visiting Otovalo and the surrounding areas. Lincoln did a fabulous job of explaining and exposing us to the history, culture, and food of area

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Check Availability

From $69

up to 6 guests

1 - Adult