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Private Tour to Otavalo & Surroundings

Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Quito, Ecuador
  • 7 to 8 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Group discounts
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

Rather than be overwhelmed at one of South America’s largest markets, let a personal guide accompany you. On this private day trip from Quito to Otavalo Market, you’ll have a better opportunity to interact with traditionally attired Quichua vendors selling handicrafts, textiles, and even livestock. Savor views of the Ecuadorian Andes on a brief waterfall walk after lunch in Cotacachi, a town known for its leather goods.
  • Visit Otavalo Market, the main attraction of Imbabura, aka the Lakes Province
  • Private guide helps you bargain for artisan-made crafts, clothing, and leather goods
  • Stop in Cotacachi for lunch at a delicious yet inexpensive restaurant (not included)
  • Round-trip transport by private vehicle includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Quito

What's Included

  • Bottled water
    1 bottle per person
  • Private transportation
  • All sightseeing mentioned above
  • English -Spanish speaking Certified Guide
  • Park admission fee
  • Lunch
    However we always stop at Cotacachi town , where you can have something to eat too
  • Gratuities
  • Anything not specified in program

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We pick up all our guest from centrally located hotels in Quito City , IF YOU ARE FAR AWAY FROM THESE ONES , PLEASE LET US KNOW TO PROVIDE YOU THE NEAREST FOR YOU.

Operating hours
.7:30 am

Itinerary

1

Guayllabamba

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

2

Cayambe

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

3

Otavalo Market

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

4

Cascada de Peguche

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

5

Cotacachi

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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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 33 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
We perform checks on reviews

Carla was an exceptional...

Rana_G, Jan 2026
Carla was an exceptional tour guide. She took us to places that were not on our itinerary which included visiting a musicians workshop and a weaving workshop. We thoroughly enjoyed spending the day with her.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Hi Rana, Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great day with Carla and that she went the extra mile by taking you to unique places like the musicians’ and weaving workshops. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with her. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you again to other adventure in Latinamerica!

Great experience

Melodie_L, Mar 2025
Amazing! Great trip. Our guide Erick was friendly and knowledgeable and brought us to wonderful views, great shops in Otavalo, and a nice restaurant for lunch. Would highly recommend this trip.

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great trip and that Erick made your experience memorable with his knowledge and friendliness. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed the breathtaking views, the Otavalo shops, and the lunch spot. At Guidecuador Travel, we are committed to creating unforgettable experiences for our guests, and your recommendation truly means a lot to us. We hope to welcome you again soon for more adventures in Ecuador! Warm regards, Xavier GUIDECUADOR TRAVEL

Excellent day trip journey to markets & waterfall

Robert_W, Nov 2023
We really enjoyed the sights and scenery of the trip out of Quito to the markets and seeing the waterfalls! Joshui was an excellent tour guide and highly recommend this tour. Friendly, smooth and great recommendations.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Hello Robert, We love to hear that you enjoyed your day in Otavalo, thanks for trust in us with this adventure during your visit to Ecuador.

Beautiful Ecuador!

Richard_W, Nov 2023
Otavalo market and the views of the countryside. The stop for bizcochos and lunch were very good choices. Our guide Josue was super!

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Hello Richard, We are really glad that you had such a great time during your trip to Otavalo. We hope to see you again soon.

Do this tour: It’s varied and great fun!

Starla_D, Aug 2023
Our guide, Josie Sentamarae, was outstanding: knowledgeable, funny, attentive just great. The Rose Market was amazing with such variety even the Eternal. Roses…never heard of them? Me either until this tour. The markets were good (there is one in Quito equally good) Seeing the countryside and walking in the small village to the waterfall was great. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Hello Starla, We are so happy that you had such a great time during your tour. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us. We hope to see you again in your next trip to South America!

Amazing day trip.

Francisco_M, Jul 2023
Renato was our tour guide he was amazing. Picked us up at hotel on time. Took us to the market and two other towns. Amazing scenery and shopping. Lunch was amazing at this great restaurant he recommended. Also so water fall in a eucalyptus Forrest. Would definitely recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Hello Francisco, We are so happy that you had such a great time during your tour and that it fulfilled your expectations. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us. We hope to see you again in your next trip to South America!

An Amazing Tour of Otavalo, Cayumbe & Peguche

Happy_M, Jun 2023
What an amazing day we had on our private day tour to Otavalo and the surrounding areas. Our guide Joel, and driver Patricio picked us up at the appointed time at our hotel in Quito. Joel, our guide, was a fount of knowledge of all things Ecuador, and from the moment he picked us up at our hotel, we were engaged with stimulating conversation and history. He made us so comfortable from the minute we mer him! Our drive was breathtaking! Driving through the beautiful, lush forest we stopped to take pictures. The first stop was in Cayumbe for Bizcochos; a delicious Ecuadorian biscuit served with a mozarella type cheese and hot chocolate. We watched them being made and baked in the oven, and then were able to try them. Delicious! Next we drove through a small town where we visited some local fresh produce markets, where we were able to sample many different types of fruits, and then to Otavalo, and indigenous community where there is a huge artisan marketplace to buy and see all the beautiful Andean handicrafts, and the traditional people. Only a few minutes outside the city of Otavalo, is Cascade de Peguche (Peguche Waterfall). The entrance is located in a indigenous village. A rustic walking trail through the lush eucalyptus forest and in 15 minutes you arrive at the beautiful, sacred waterfall, which has special meaning to the indigenous people. This is a must see if going to Otavalo. Jay was an amazing tour guide who was so friendly and his knowledge was unsurpassed. Our driver, Patricio, was so kind and always made us fell safe. Thank you, Jay, Patricio, and GUIDEcuador for a wonderful, and highly recommended tour! Best Regards, Dawn Kenton

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Hello Dawn, Thanks for taking the time to write this review, we are happy to hear that you create a memorable experiencie at this beautiful area of Ecuador. Your comment means a lot to our team, since this helps us to continue bringing an excellent services to our clients/friends. Hope to see you again in South America soon.

Great experience

joseph_s, Dec 2022
Small towns .views.otavalo market. Cotacachi plaza Knowledgeable guide.snow covered volcano countryside views. .

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Dear Joseph, Thanks for your rewiew. Hope to see you.

Great Guide and Great Tour

Lucinda_D, Sep 2022
Alejandro was our guide, and he was fantastic. He had so much knowledge about the area, and really created authentic experiences for us. He even adapted as we went, as my mother being older and maybe not as agile as needed for the waterfalls portion of the trip, he offered to take us instead to a store on the outskirts of Otovalo, where they still hand make their goods. Mom loved it!

Response from Host, Sep 2022

Dear Lucinda, Thank you for visiting Otavalo with us ! It was a pleasure to lead you all around and snhow you our heritage. I hope you are still having a great time in cuenca city and I hope to see you back in south america shortly. Dont forget that now you have another friend in Ecuador Warm Regards Alejandro

Great Tour today

Brian_M, Aug 2022
Had a fantastic day with Renato hitting some great viewpoints and areas of the Andes. Was able to finish early and stop at an extra point of intrest as well, highly recommend.

Response from Host, Sep 2022

Dear Brian, Thank you very much for your comments , we are happy that you had a great time with our guide Renato and enjoy Otavalo area. Take Care Guidecuador Team

Great day trip to Otavalo and surroundings!

David, May 2022
Otavalo Market and Surroundings Excellent personalized trip to visit Otavalo market, Cotacachi for leather goods, as well as stops to enjoy local biscuits and visit the Cascade de Peguche waterfall. Our guide Alejandro was knowledgeable, welcoming and made the whole day more enjoyable.

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Dear David, Thank you very much for visiting Otavalo with us! It is great tp hear you had a wonderful time in south america. we apreciate all your words and effort to share it. We now ready to host you somewhere else shorlty. Warm Regards Paola

From $139.00

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 29 days in advance.

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