OTAVALO CULTURAL AND SHOPING

From Quito to Otavalo we have 2 hours by direct bus, but in our 1-day tour on a shared basis, we visit 6 different attractions between Quito and Otavalo in one full day. Our trip is along the on the Pan-American Highway north to get to the Quitsato solar clock, located in the Cayambe canton, named after the snowy mountain present there. This cultural site was built to measure the solstices and equinoxes, in pre-Hispanic times, also considered the "other middle of the world", the equator line crosses this place in the middle of the Cayambe mountain's summit. Its people live from livestock, agriculture, a sector dedicated to harvesting roses for export. To know its gastronomy, we have a stop to take a cup of Ecuadorian coffee or chocolate with some cakes (Biscuits); which are like a type of small breads made in the oven with an incomparable flavor and the best of all we will enter to see its elaboration process. Our next site to visit is Otavalo.  It is located in the Imbabura province known as the Province of the Lakes, a few minutes from our main destination, we have a viewpoint to the San Pablo lake and in the background the Imbabura hill, to decorate the landscape. Then we arrive to the biggest and most important indigenous handicraft market in South America, it is possible to visit this market every day of the week. But in our 1-day tour we coincide the days of the biggest fair where all the artisans meet in La Plaza de los Ponchos, here we have 2 hours for shopping and later we go to Cotacachi. Here we will find another craft market specialized in leather products, as it is a small place we have 45min. Our last place is the Cuicocha Lagoon located at 3068m (10.065.62 ft) in an active volcanic crater with islets or domes and plant observation.

ITINERARY

1.     Departure from la Mariscal 7:15 AM (Reina Victoria and Foch streets corner) / SAN BLAS SQUARE 7:30 AM

2.     Quitsato Solar clock.

3.     Cayambe biscuits factory (Breakfast optional).

4.     Visit to Mira Lago Viewpoint (15 min)

5.     Ponchos Square. (1 Hours)

6.     Lunch.

7.     Visit to Cuicocha lagoon.

8.     Visit to Cotacachi town (Leather Market 45min).

9.     Return to Quito