Day off in Quito? Otavalo indigenous artisan market Private Tour!

Recommended by 99% of travelers

Quito, Ecuador

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

6 to 8 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0

· margaret_g ·

Oct 2025

This was our highlight of our trip to Quito and the surroundaing area. David was wonderful. We were pleased to learn about and experience the people of Ecuador. Market was terrific. The sights and sounds were extraordinary. David was a great help in our buying experiences. Tjhe trip to the waterfall was a bonus.

· GREG_B ·

Feb 2026

Beautiful day! Drive was a bit long but our tour guide Daniel was the best! Extremely knowledgeable, flexible and just an all round good human. Took us to some incredible waterfalls in otavalo..the market, lunch and answered any and all questions about the indigenous culture, traditions..language.

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Overview

Delve deeper into the indigenous culture and history of Ecuador on a private day trip to Otavalo Market from Quito. With your private guide, you’ll overcome the language barrier and explore South America’s largest market at a pace suited to you, as well as visiting other local highlights such as San Pablo Lake.

Discover South America's biggest market at your own pace
Relish the freedom to tailor your personalized itinerary
Letting someone else drive you from Quito means you can soak up the scenery
Overcome the language barrier as you explore with a local guide

What's Included

Private transportation
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Brunch

Bizcocho/Queso de Hoja/Coffee tasting

Lunch

Local restaurant goes around $3 a traditional plate
Alcoholic Beverages
Bottled water
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

The car is a KIA Seltos grey color, better shown here in the pictures section. My uniform is a grey polo shirt and I will wear brown glasses. To avoid inconvenience. The meeting point will be confirmed prior to the service. Don't hesitate to get in touch with me after booking a meeting point if necessary. Some places/activities' availability may vary depending on weather, road status, and political issues. Keeping all biosafety standards, Covid free service. We take care of each other. In case you are a solo traveler, I will leave the availability open in case somebody else wants to join us :) *Cancellation will be available just in case of weather issues, not due to political or social unrest.

Meeting point

Quito, Ecuador
We will arrange the meeting point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.8:00 am

Itinerary

Guayllabamba (Pass By)

Cayambe

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

San Pablo Del Lago

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

cachiviro reymolacocha

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Cascada de Peguche

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Otavalo Market

3 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Hotel El Indio

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Quito (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

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)

Featured review

GREG_B

Reviews

5.0

based on 114 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Highly recommend!!!

Janet_F, Mar 2026

Daniel provided an authentic experience focusing on culture and community. He was extremely knowledgeable about everything Ecuadorian!! This was a fabulous day- from the sights to the people to the food to the conversation!! Highly recommend!!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you Janet! Yes we had a beautiful time! Wanted me to travel more with you! Hope youre doing fine; stay in touch! :)

Otavalo - yes!

GREG_B, Feb 2026

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you Greg! Yes we had a wonderful time! Hope to see you again in some future; stay in touch! :)

Daniel was friendly and...

PeiSan_C, Feb 2026

Daniel was friendly and interesting to chat to on the drive. Safe driver and very knowledgeable. He was happy to make an amendment to the itinerary to suit my interests which I greatly appreciated.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you very much! Stay in touch :)

This was a very...

Valeria_B, Feb 2026

This was a very culturally rich experience. Definitely recommend. Daniel was incredible. Always kind, funny, and attentive to our needs!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you Vale! Hope you had a wonderfull time around SouthAmerica! Saludos a tu tío! Stay in contact :)

Indian Market, Waterfall Hike & a Volcano!

Linda_L, Feb 2026

Daniel is a great guide who is both knowledgable and enthusiastic about his country's indigenous cultures. The market is colorful and fun; a great place for souvenirs, including silver inlaid jewelry. We also made a couple of other fun stops, first for an Ecuadoran snack at a pretty lake with a great view of a volcano, another at a beautiful waterfall where we joined in on some Quecha dancing. It's a long drive but worth it.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you Linda! Stay in contact :)

Highlight of our trips around Quito.

margaret_g, Oct 2025

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you very much Margaret! Hope youre having a wonderful time around here! Stay in contact :)

Great day trip.

Ana_E, Mar 2025

This was a great private tour. Daniel was our guide and he took us to some beautiful spots on our way to Otavalo. He was also very helpful when buying souvenirs from vendors.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you Ana! Hope your doing good back to your place! STay in contact

More Than Just a Market Tour – A Must-Do Experience!

Clinton_H, Feb 2025

If you’re in Quito, this day trip to Otavalo with Daniel is a must! It was so much more than just a market tour—Daniel was super knowledgeable, personable, and went above and beyond (even stopping for tea when I had a stomach ache). The mix of history, culture, and stunning landscapes made this an unforgettable experience. From learning about indigenous traditions and festivals to visiting the lake, the volcano, a waterfall, and of course, Otavalo Market, every stop was incredible. This was one of the best parts of my trip, and when I come back with my family, we’ll 100% be doing this again!

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Thank you very much for sharing some of your time here with me in Ecuador! We had a wonderful time! Hope you're doing fine back to your reality, stay safe, and keep traveling!

Amazing Day!!

Ivanna_L, Nov 2024

Daniel is an amazing tour guide. He is really proud of his heritage and you also get to learn so much about the culture and history of the area.

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Thank you very much Ivanna!

Very Informative

Diego_S, Sep 2024

Daniel was awesome! Extremely passionate on the history and current state of Ecuador! We had a great conversation on the way to Otavalo, made a stop for snacks, photos, and to wander a beautiful forest. My favorite part was quite often with tours like this, the guide takes you to predetermined vendors to buy from. Daniel did NOT do this. He simply asked if you were interested in shopping, and he could offer suggestions on the vendors, and prices. I really appreciated this! We had a great lunch, and he made it a point to find a spice vendor for me as he knew how much I like to cook. Highly recommend.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you very much Diego for travelling with me! Hope your spices reach homw safe, stay in contact! :)

Don’t miss it, it could change your life

Julia_E, Jul 2024

Daniel was a great knowledgeable guide. The market is amazing with courteous and friendly venders. A feast for the eyes even if you buy nothing!

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you very much Julia for travelling with me! :)

Wonderful Experience

Ldcace, Mar 2024

Daniel, our guide, was wonderful. He had a wealth of knowledge about the people, the history, and the ecology of Ecuador. Our day with him was far better than I dared to expect. I highly recommend his tour.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you very much for spending some time with me! Stay in touch and keep traveling!

One of the richest and most rewarding tours in the Quito area!

Bruno_G, Jan 2024

This tour was amazing! At first, I thought it was only a non-stop tour to Otavalo, but no, it was much more! Daniel Murcarsel, the guide, was such a friendly guy, with him I learned a lot from Ecuatorian culture, traditions, life, from past to present! I loved the stop by the lake, having the opportunity to have a coffee with Bizcochos de Cayambe, seeing Imbabura Volcano and chatting with Daniel, was sure one of those moments that I will have in my mind forever! The visit to Cascada Peguche was also great, as the place is so wonderful and peaceful! And Otavalo Market, wow, how incredible is this place! Daniel explained me a lot about the place. Another highlight was the lunch, in which I was able to taste local Ecuatorian food, "fritada", which was delicious! I highly recommend this tour to whomever is travelling to Quito. It will sure be a whole day of adventure and learning! A great overview of La Paz with an outstanding tour guide: David! In the tour, we have the opportunity to visit the highlights of the city, such as "Valle de la Luna", "Telefericos", the city center, el famoso "Mercado de las Brujas" and some museums! David was a great guide, with him I could learn more about La Paz and Bolivia as well! I highly recommend this tour to everyone who is in La Paz. It is sure a a whole day of adventure and of learning about Bolivian Culture!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Muito obrigado Bruno! Estamos em contato :)

Excellent tour guide

Cayley_R, Nov 2023

Daniel was great! He accommodated our weird schedule, arriving in Quito just from noon till midnight, picking us up and dropping us off at the airport. He took us to a few places and adapted based on our interests, energy level, and the weather. We learned a ton about Ecuador and the culture from Daniel while we were driving between sites. We had excellent food, tasted fruits we've never seen in the market, and finished off our souvenir/gifts list. He helped make our last day great! If I'm in Quito again I plan to reach out to Daniel again.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Thank you Cayley! Yes come back and keep in touch! :)

Lake and waterfall were pretty

Marina_C, Aug 2023

The tour was fine. My favorite parts were the swing on the lake (which had a pretty mountain in the background), and seeing the waterfall. Otavalo market was nice but nothing special; there’s a very similar market in Quito. I personally don’t think it’s worth driving 2 hours from Quito to see Otavalo, but your mileage may vary if you really love shopping. The guide was nice but very talkative, and it was a bit awkward when I asked him for some quiet time, although he did respect that when I asked. Also, you should have breakfast before you go on this tour, because I was hungry all morning. The guide offered some biscotti with cheese for brunch, but it was just a small snack and not a full breakfast. You should also note that the lunch is not included in the tour price, so you should expect to pay an extra $10-15 for lunch.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you for your words and for choosing us, we will keep it in mind :)

Wonderful day

Megan_B, May 2023

I had the best day with my guide Daniel. I learned about the history of the people and the area. Saw a wonderful waterfall and lake. Had a wonderful lunch and enjoyed shopping at the market. I wanted to buy it all. This is a must do tour.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Was an honor to guide you and also to learn from you! Thank you for your support and for traveling with me

When booking this trip, I...

Mary_R, Jan 2023

When booking this trip, I didn't realize it was a private tour as I was solo and was hoping to interact with some other people visiting the country. However, Daniel took great care of me. He was timely picking me up and had a great day planned for us. He was incredibly knowledgable about the country and the history. He spoke regarding the legends of the indigenous people. We stopped by a lake to have some snacks and he even brought me some of his home roasted coffee (it was delicious). I was able to visit a waterfall and get blessed by its mist. The marked was full of wonderful handmade goods. Daniel took me to lunch at a local place that served local food so I could be fully immersed in the culture. However, he was more than willing to take me somewhere else if I wanted more options. If you're wanting to visit Otavalo, Daniel is the best person for the job. I was thrilled with his tour and his willingness to do what it took to make me feel comfortable and welcome.

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thanks a lot Mary! Hope Galápagos and the rest of your trip was nice! For been that short day we had a wonderfull complete day and good to know you enjoyed it! Waiting for you to come back with your daughter! Stay in touch, see you soon! :)

Awesome Tour!

Lucas_H, Apr 2022

Daniel was an excellent tour guide! We had a great day with him. Our group was my girlfriend (Spanish only), my parents (English only), and myself (bi-lingual) and he made sure that we all participated in the conversation and had fun. His English is very good. His enthusiasm and passion for showing off his country are second to none. He knows so much about the local history and culture that even though it was my fifth time in Ecuador, I still learned a lot! I would give him 6 out of 5 stars if I could. If you are reading this, do not hesitate to book a tour with Daniel!

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Thank you Lucas! You have a really nice family! Hope everybody is ok around you and come back soon! :)

Daniel is a great guide and great company

Sarah_H, Dec 2021

I'm a few months writing this review but as I reflect back on 2021, I remember my Ecuador trip. Daniel really made my time there great. He is truly a wealth of knowledge and the history he shared was really in-depth. The Ecuadorian story will be familiar to those of colonized lands but there's so much beauty in how they were able maintain culture and traditions despite the odds. Thank you Daniel and I look forward to seeing you again on my next trip to Ecuador.

Response from Host, Jan 2022

Thanks Sarah! Yes we had a great time! Hope everything is ok at your surroundings; come back soon!

Super recomended!!

David_F, Jun 2021

Great choice the tour with Daniel!! He is super charming and confidence, in addition to his wide knowledge and experience. I felt really lucky sharing this tour with him!!

Se tiver tempo, não deixe de ir

Newton_A, Dec 2024

Daniel é um guia super profissional, pontual, respeitoso, conhece muito da história e cultura do Equador, dirige com muita segurança, e nos deixou muito à vontade, fez paradas para café, biscoitos e fotos. Conhece muito bem o Mercado de Otavalo e restaurante com comida típica local. Portanto, foi um passeio muito agradável e de muito conhecimento. Muito obrigado!!

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Muito obrigado Newton!! Espero y estén pasando bien en su viaje! :)

Una hermosa experiencia

Oscar_F, Nov 2024

Daniel fue puntual a la hora de recogida. Fue un excelente guía siempre nos explicaba a cada sitio que íbamos y nos enseñó bastante de la historia de los lugares visitados. Lo recomiendo por su buen servicio en general.