Otavalo & Andean Lakes - Ecuador Tour
This full-day tour provides an exciting journey through the cultural and natural treasures of northern Ecuador. You’ll visit the lively Otavalo Market, renowned for its vibrant textiles and traditional crafts, and explore the picturesque Cuicocha Crater Lake, set amidst the stunning Andean highlands.
Ecuador Day Tour
Day 1: Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Crater Lake
Begin your journey early from Quito, traveling along the Pan-American Highway to Otavalo, home to the iconic artisan market in Plaza de Ponchos. Explore and shop for unique crafts like textiles, jewelry, and pottery while engaging with local artisans to learn about their weaving techniques and cultural heritage. Stop briefly at San Pablo Lake to enjoy picturesque views of the surrounding mountains. After lunch, head to Cuicocha Crater Lake, a breathtaking volcanic lake. Take a guided hike along its rim, admiring the vibrant blue waters and stunning mountain vistas. Conclude the day with a scenic return drive to Quito, arriving in the early evening.
Ecuador Day Tour Includes
- Private transportation
- Indicated Meals
- Bilingual Naturalist Guide
- Scheduled Visits
- Entrance Fee
Ecuador Day Tour Does not Include
- Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Items not specified
Ecuador Day Tour Highlights
- Discover one of Latin America's most well-preserved colonial centers, rich in history and architecture.
- Immerse yourself in lively indigenous markets and connect with skilled master weavers.
- Uncover GuayasamÃn's artistic legacy and his impact on Ecuadorian art.
Travel Tips
- Bring cash for purchasing items at the market, as not all vendors accept cards.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking and light hiking.
- A jacket is recommended, as the weather can be cool in high-altitude areas.
Fitness Requirements
Weather Preparedness
Accomodation
- Quito: Patio Andaluz or similar
- Otavalo: Hacienda Zuleta or similar
Frecuently Asked Questions
Is the tour family-friendly?
Yes, the tour is suitable for families, with engaging activities for children and adults alike.
What is the best day to visit Otavalo Market?
Saturdays are the busiest days, with more vendors and a wider selection of goods, but the market operates daily.
Can we swim in Cuicocha Lake?
Swimming is not allowed due to the lake’s high altitude and cold water temperature, but you can take a boat tour or hike along its rim.
Why travel with us?
Over 11 years of experience%20--%3e%3csvg%20version='1.1'%20id='Layer_1'%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns:xlink='http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20x='0px'%20y='0px'%20viewBox='0%200%20512%20512'%20style='enable-background:new%200%200%20512%20512;'%20xml:space='preserve'%3e%3cg%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20d='M424.18,200.763c-1.558,0-3.124,0.043-4.685,0.125c-20.129-42.954-56.688-76.736-101.546-93.182V64%20c0-34.157-27.79-61.947-61.947-61.947c-34.157,0-61.947,27.79-61.947,61.947v43.707c-44.86,16.447-81.419,50.231-101.548,93.186%20c-1.56-0.083-3.125-0.129-4.685-0.129C39.396,200.763,0,240.16,0,288.583c0,5.633,4.566,10.199,10.199,10.199h66.648%20c4.678,39.071,21.888,74.34,47.486,101.669c-9.018,15.386-13.176,33.319-11.773,51.284c1.626,20.824,10.666,40.436,25.454,55.225%20c1.992,1.992,4.602,2.987,7.212,2.987s5.221-0.995,7.212-2.987l55.753-55.753c15.234,4.19,31.263,6.441,47.809,6.441%20c17.145,0,33.738-2.405,49.461-6.893l56.205,56.205c1.992,1.992,4.602,2.987,7.212,2.987c2.61,0,5.221-0.995,7.212-2.987%20c14.789-14.789,23.828-34.403,25.454-55.229c1.444-18.5-3.024-36.957-12.609-52.643c24.899-27.134,41.617-61.883,46.218-100.306%20h66.649c5.633,0,10.199-4.566,10.199-10.199C512,240.16,472.604,200.763,424.18,200.763z%20M75.551,277.199%20c0,0.397,0.012,0.789,0.015,1.185H21.168c4.765-31.266,31.086-55.537,63.273-57.134C78.68,238.873,75.551,257.677,75.551,277.199z%20M214.452,64c0-22.909,18.638-41.549,41.548-41.549S297.549,41.09,297.549,64v37.587c-13.345-3.157-27.253-4.835-41.549-4.835%20c-14.295,0-28.204,1.679-41.548,4.835V64z%20M120.411,362.142c-15.487-24.634-24.462-53.757-24.462-84.942%20c0.001-31.989,9.439-61.81,25.669-86.84l22.637,22.637c1.992,1.992,4.602,2.987,7.212,2.987s5.221-0.995,7.212-2.987%20c3.983-3.983,3.983-10.441,0-14.425l-24.755-24.756c29.381-34.641,73.201-56.669,122.075-56.669%20c48.875,0,92.694,22.028,122.075,56.669l-42.909,42.909l-68.966-39.817v-11.484c0-5.633-4.566-10.199-10.199-10.199%20c-5.633,0-10.199,4.566-10.199,10.199v11.484l-76.655,44.257c-3.156,1.822-5.1,5.188-5.1,8.833v88.508L120.411,362.142z%20M145.763,484.786c-15.009-20.324-17.359-47.248-6.136-69.797c14.036,11.873,29.899,21.646,47.107,28.826L145.763,484.786z%20M246.835,436.98c-45.946-2.606-86.773-24.675-114.332-58.082l42.362-42.362l71.97,41.552V436.98z%20M184.444,318.512v-82.625%20L256,194.574l71.556,41.313v82.625L256,359.825L184.444,318.512z%20M267.234,436.849v-59.957l69.244-39.979l42.545,42.545%20C351.888,412.049,312.077,433.724,267.234,436.849z%20M368.341,484.788l-41.594-41.594c17.233-7.373,33.095-17.35,47.087-29.439%20C385.773,436.55,383.627,464.09,368.341,484.788z%20M391.19,362.777l-43.236-43.236v-86.753l42.428-42.428%20c16.23,25.029,25.668,54.851,25.668,86.839C416.05,308.652,406.925,338.011,391.19,362.777z%20M436.434,278.384%20c0.003-0.396,0.015-0.789,0.015-1.185c0-19.522-3.129-38.326-8.891-55.949c32.187,1.597,58.508,25.869,63.273,57.134H436.434z'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20d='M256,125.212c-5.633,0-10.199,4.566-10.199,10.199v2.07c0,5.633,4.566,10.199,10.199,10.199%20c5.633,0,10.199-4.566,10.199-10.199v-2.07C266.199,129.778,261.633,125.212,256,125.212z'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e "Galapagos travel specialists")
Galapagos Specialists
Set and Tailor-made packages
The best last-minute cruise deals%20--%3e%3csvg%20version='1.1'%20id='Capa_1'%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns:xlink='http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20x='0px'%20y='0px'%20viewBox='0%200%20489.679%20489.679'%20style='enable-background:new%200%200%20489.679%20489.679;'%20xml:space='preserve'%3e%3cg%3e%3cg%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20d='M487.768,218.844c-14.5-134.2-135.2-232-269.4-217.4c-72.9,8.3-137.4,47.8-179,109.2c-6.2,9.4-3.1,21.8,6.2,28.1%20s21.8,3.1,28.1-6.2c34.3-51,88.4-84.3,148.8-90.5c112.4-11.5,213.3,69.6,224.7,182c11.4,111.3-69.7,212.2-181,223.7%20c-74.7,7.9-147.5-26-189.5-86.8l39.7,8.7c10.4,2.1,21.8-4.2,23.9-15.6c2.1-10.4-4.2-21.8-15.6-23.9l-81.1-17.7%20c-17.3-2.2-23.9,10.4-25,15.6l-17.7,82.2c-2.1,10.4,4.2,21.8,15.6,23.9c13.6,1.1,21.8-7.3,25-16.6l6-27.1%20c89.3,115.2,214.6,98.9,222.9,97.9C404.568,473.744,502.368,353.044,487.768,218.844z'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20d='M171.168,268.944h-38l30.6-31.1c0.4-0.4,0.8-0.8,1.1-1.3c5.7-7.5,8.8-16.5,8.8-26c0-23.7-19.3-43-43-43s-43,19.3-43,43%20c0,7.4,6,13.4,13.4,13.4s13.4-6,13.4-13.4c0-8.9,7.2-16.1,16.1-16.1c8.9,0,16.1,7.2,16.1,16.1c0,3.3-1,6.5-2.9,9.2l-52.4,53.3%20c-3.8,3.9-4.9,9.6-2.8,14.6s7,8.2,12.4,8.2h70.1c7.4,0,13.4-6,13.4-13.4S178.568,268.944,171.168,268.944z'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M271.668,240.144h-6.1v-59.2c0-5.7-3.5-10.7-8.9-12.6c-5.3-1.9-11.3-0.3-14.9,4l-60.4,72.6c-3.3,4-4,9.6-1.8,14.3%20c2.2,4.7,6.9,7.7,12.2,7.7h47v15.4c0,7.4,6,13.4,13.4,13.4c7.4,0,13.4-6,13.4-13.4v-15.4h6.1c7.4,0,13.4-6,13.4-13.4%20C285.068,246.144,279.068,240.144,271.668,240.144z%20M238.668,240.144h-18.4l18.4-22.1V240.144z'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M344.068,212.044c-6.6,0-12.9,1.4-18.5,4v-35.1c0-7.4-6-13.4-13.4-13.4s-13.4,6-13.4,13.4v101.4c0,7.4,6,13.4,13.4,13.4%20s13.4-6,13.4-13.4v-24.9c0-10.2,8.3-18.5,18.5-18.5s18.5,8.3,18.5,18.5v24.9c0,7.4,6,13.4,13.4,13.4s13.4-6,13.4-13.4v-24.9%20C389.468,232.444,369.068,212.044,344.068,212.044z'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e "Galapagos trips")
24/7 Customer service during your trip
Multi-Destination packagesSimilar Itineraries
