Otavalo Unveiled: A Day Journey Through Time and Tradition!

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Quito, Ecuador

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

8 to 9 hours (approx.)
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

The traditional town of Otavalo lies in the foothills of the Andes Mountains around two hours north of Quito. On this tour, visit the famous Otavalo market and Cotocachi Leather Market, shop for traditional handicrafts and souvenirs, and stop at local beauty spots such as Peguche Waterfalls or Cuicocha Lake.

Shop for traditional Andean handicrafts at Otavalo Market
Magnificent views of Otavalo’s lakes, waterfalls, and mountains
Delicious lunch of Ecuadorian cuisine at a local restaurant
Small-group tour with a maximum of 12 people

What's Included

What’s Included:
Lunch
Private Transport
Professional guide

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

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Go F.A.R. Project Ecuador
José de Antepara E4-38 y, Quito 170130, Ecuador
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.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Go F.A.R. Project Ecuador

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Fabrica de Bizcochos San Pedro

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

San Pablo Del Lago

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Plaza De Los Ponchos Mercado

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Cotacachi

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cuicocha Lake

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
What to bring:
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Extra snacks and water

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
Face masks
Hand sanitizer
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 7 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 41 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Wonderful!

Rodney_M, Apr 2026

We had a wonderful experience. Our guide, Felipe was very professional and always ready to address our questions and needs. It was great to go around the andean landscapes, culture, gastronomy, and capture the wonders of Imbabura province in one day. Highly recommended!

Filipe was very...

Joseph_S, Jan 2026

Filipe was very knowledgeable and shared his vast experience with us. We would do another tour with him

Best Guide you can find in Quito

ShekoSusan_K, Nov 2025

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.

Way more than a market tour!

Denise_H, Aug 2025

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!

Waterfalls, Music and Markets!

Heather_M, Oct 2021

CarpeDm tours was a great company, and I enjoyed the day, even though I was the only one on the tour ! I enjoyed the stops at the market, the hike at Peguche Waterfalls, the music shop, the lunch, etc. It was a nice day out of Quito, and my guide and driver were terrific! The hotel pickup was included, too. Definitely take this tour for a day outside of the city!