OTAVALO INDIGENOUS MARKET TOUR

“Start this day travelling through a highway with spellbinding mountain scenery until you finally reach a special area of Ecuador that offers plenty of opportunities to learn more about tradition and culture of the Quichua communities who have settled here.”

Ancient woven techniques, new scents and flavors coming from the richest local traditions and unique hand-craft products will awaken all your senses.
One of the highlights of this journey is the famous Otavalo Market. The marketplace dates back to pre-Inca times and will invite you to appreciate different textiles, woolen goods, tapestries and many more fine examples of craftsmanship strongly attached to their ways of life and ancestral roots.

On the way to Otavalo, you’ll stop for the famous Ecuadorian “bizcochos” in the Cayambe area, named after the nearby volcano of the same name. The bizcochos are a flaky and buttery biscuit accompanied by locally made mozzarella cheese and a cozy cup of hot chocolate or coffee that will fill your soul with delight. Following this stop, an explosion of color will surprise you at one of the famous Rose Plantations visited. Here you can learn about how roses are one of the leading exports of Ecuador and how these beautiful flowers are bred and grown. You’ll realize why they are so captivating, as each color and type of rose has a story, while discovering how the conditions of high altitude and Ecuador’s position on the equator allows the country to grow the most exquisite roses, exported to many parts of the world as a luxury item.

Lunch will have you tasting traditional dishes and local ingredients in a cozy atmosphere where the Quichua women will help you understand their weaving techniques and explain how they use natural materials and native plants. It is a wonderful opportunity to grasp many of their customs including the typical dress of Otavaleños, their cooking methods, music and dance, which are part of the great mosaic of indigenous culture in the Andes. Finally, you’ll arrive at the well-known Plaza de los Ponchos where you can feel the vibrant energy of an authentic indigenous market and the talented craftspeople who make it possible. The delicate embroidered blouses and shirts, beautifully carved figures, paintings, colorful tapestries, and the warmest and brightest alpaca sweaters, ponchos, and much more will amaze you! Otavaleños are very friendly, always with a smile on their face and will be happy to answer any questions you have about their handiwork.