OTAVALO FULL DAY
Enjoy breakfast before we depart Quito early in the morning for this tour. Heading north to the town of Calderon, less than 20 minutes from the city, we will see how baked bread products, specifically dough figures, are made.
We will continue northbound on the Pan-American Highway, passing the town of Tabacundo, where we can catch a view of the beautiful rose plantations on both sides of the road. We will make a short stop at the scenic lookout point at Miralago to see the Imbabura Volcano and San Pablo Lake, which lies at the volcano’s foothills.
Near midday we will arrive at the world-famous Otavalo artisan market. Here we will visit the textile market located at the “Plaza of Ponchos”; this is one of the most famous markets in South America. You will find all kinds of handcrafts includ
ing tapestries made on the Spanish weaving loom as well as the indigenous backstrap loom. You will enjoy some free time for bargaining and buying with the friendly otavaleños.
Before heading back, we will have an optional lunch at the rim of San Pablo Lake. On the journey to Quito we will stop by the local village of Cayambe where we can try the traditional bread and cheese biscuits (bizcochos) specific to this area.
We will arrive to Quito in the mid-afternoon and drop you at your hotel for an optional dinner and free evening.