Private Tour
The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi
Overview
Available languages
8 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
This is a fun and relaxing tour of Otavalo Market. You will make stops at great foodie sites, check out a beautiful lake, visit the Quitsato sundial, have a great cup of Ecuadorian coffee, savor some tasty bizcochos and string cheese, have the best slice of pie in Ecuador, enjoy lunch at a gourmet sandwich and burger stop in Cotacachi (Leather town) and shop till you drop at the renowned Otavalo Indigenous marketplace. It´s all about having fun, eating great food, and enjoying life as a local in Ecuador.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Fabrica de Bizcochos San Pedro
One of our first stops on the tour is the lovely city of Cayambe. You will get to drive by the unique city center and plazas as you make your way to the best Bizcocho (biscuits) and String Cheese factory in Ecuador. The bizcochos are made fresh and from scratch every day. You get to see them being made and placed in the traditional ovens. These bizcochos are very tasty and combined with the string cheese make a delicious morning snack. You can also savor the dulce de leche (caramel) and have a quick cup of coffee or hot chocolate. This stop is the perfect cure for morning sluggishness.
Plaza De Los Ponchos Mercado
Once we arrive at Otavalo we will head to the renowned Plaza de Los Ponchos. The indigenous Otavalo people are famous for weaving textiles, usually made of wool, which are sold at the famous market. Saturdays see the market expand throughout the city but any other day you will find vendors and stands at the Mercado de Los Ponchos. The shops sell textiles such as handmade blankets, tablecloths, handicrafts, paintings, and much more. I love the Otavalo market, you can always find something interesting or quirky to take back home as souvenirs or to decorate your home. Its always fun to haggle with the vendors and hear their stories.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
A fantastic cup of coffee
A bag of bizcochos
Certified Bilingual Guide
Entrance Fees
Personal Expenses and Souvenirs
Tips for the guide/driver
Extra activities not mentioned on the itinerary
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi
Pickup included
Reviews
20 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour and great guide
jennyzG2706OK,,Sep 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a very good trip at the two markets and solar museum and the bisnocho place. Diego is a great guide, friendly and knowledgeable. I spent more time than scheduled in the Otavalo market which pushed the return time more than an hour late and there was traffic coming back. Diego waited patiently. While in the solar museum Diego showed us around the Agavae garden and gave us detailed explanation on each variety. It was a great experience. Learned a lot at solar museum. Bisnocho was delicious. Lunch was very tasty, bought what I like in the markets. Highly recommend this trip and highly recommend Diego.
Our guide was Jean Pierre...
Alisha H,,Aug 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was Jean Pierre Segovia. He was absolutely amazing taught us so so much about Equador. We had the most amazing day. He was happy to go with the flow and move at our pace. 1000% recommend.
Great Day with lots of local experiences
Lisa H,,May 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Andreas was a great guide, chatty and full of knowledge. We had a full day out from 9am to 6pm. We visited the equator museum, biscuit and cheese making shop, Otavalo, Cayembe and Cotacachi. We learnt a lot about the local culture and Ecuador. Would definitely recommend this trip
Amazing day!
Ruth V,,Mar 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome experience!! Our tour guide spoke good English was very friendly and the trip was totally customizable to our interests and needs.
Awesome
Daniel H,,Jan 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome Friendly Knowledgeable Flexible Educational I feel like I totally understand Ecuador culture and economics
Ask for Jean Pierre!
Kemberly W,,Nov 30, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Jean Pierre made The Best Otavalo Market Tour + San Pablo Lake + Cayambe + Cotacachi an unforgettable experience! He was professional, caring, fun, and incredibly knowledgeable about every stop on the tour. His enthusiasm and attention to detail ensured everyone felt welcomed and engaged. Jean Pierre’s dedication and passion for his work truly shine—he’s a gem of a guide. Highly recommend!
Terrific Market Tour
Randy R,,Nov 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour of markets and a few bonus points. Galapagos Connoisseur LLC did a wonderful job. We were picked up on time at our Hotel. Our guide, Gean Pierre was most attentive to what we wanted to do on the day tour. We got everything accomplished and never felt rushed. The time in the car was filled with information on a wide range of subjects that came to mind. Our brief time in Quito was really enhanced by going to these markets. We walked away with travel treasures that would otherwise not be found. Thanks so much Gean for your knowledge and support.
A 5 star day - it WAS the best day trip Cayambe and Otovalo
shystermomx,,Feb 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great day with Andres. He showed up promptly at 9 a.m. He is lively and fun and a careful driver. His car was clean and comfortable. We had gotten in at 2 am and were kind of low energy. But Andres was so much fun. He studied in California for college so his English is perfect. Plus, his parents are US Citizens. We learned all about his family and life and Ecuador. It was like spending the day with a good friend. He took us for Biscochos and we bought chocolate and coffee in the store in Cayambe. Then we went to the Solar Museum and learned all about the Equator. We walked through the Agave Garden. Then on to Otovalo. He gave us about an hour to shop, which was perfect. I bought jewelry, a ln alpaca scarf, magnets etc. Andres helped us haggle too. Then we went to Cotacachi which is the Leather Town. My boyfriend and I each bought leather jackets on a spur of the moment. Mine was $90, his was $110. They would easily be $300 back home. The products are made right there in Cotacachi too. My boyfriend also bought leather boots - $38! We bought belts and wallets - great buys. Finally, we ate a late lunch at a nice place with a good bathroom that was $20 for the 3 of us (we bought him lunch). On the hour and a half ride back home, I nodded out for 20 minutes and Andres respectfully remained silent. When I awakened, he played bouncy dance pop on his Spotify playlist which was just so fun. We were back in the hotel, happy and safe and very pleased with our day. We wanted something cultural with some shopping and interacting with local people. We visited the Equator and let Andres handle all the logistics. Book this trip if you don’t want to climb to see volcanoes or zip line or see Quilotoa. We avoided that stuff for both energy and avoiding altitude sickness. This was a great option for a Day trip from Quito. 5 stars
A Perfect Day Trip from Quito
Lisa M,,Feb 13, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We had the best day with Andres. We flew in 1 day early before a 7 day Galapagos Express tour. He picked us up at 9 am sharp. His car is clean and comfortable. His English is perfect - he attended University in California. We enjoyed the Biscocho stop to stretch our legs and buy some coffee and chocolate in the store. Then to Cayambe to the Solar Museum and learned about the equator. Then to Otovalo - what fun! We shopped and bought everything we wanted. He helped haggle some prices for us. Then, finally Cotacachi which I called “Leather Town”. We ended up each getting sharp leather jackets (mine was $90, his $110). He bought leather boots and a wallet and we both bought belts. Then we went to a place for lunch. Andres is a careful driver and a lovely person. We learned all about his family and vice versa it was like hanging out with a lively friend for the day. His choice of music for the car is excellent. At one point on the drive back, I nodded off for about 20 minutes and he was appropriately silent and turned down the music. We did not want to climb volcanoes or hike to lagoons. This was the perfect day after a flight that landed at 12 a.m. Running on only 5 hours of sleep, Andres took care of the logistics. All we had to do was enjoy the ride and the beautiful views of the mountains. We could not have asked for a better day spent in Quito. 5 stars.
The best
Johnellec,,Dec 19, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was far. Our guide was Diego and he was really amazing. We learned so much from him about Ecuador. Communication with Andres was great. He usually responded within minutes. We were trying to decide what the best thing about the tour was and we both said talking to Diego. Request him, you won’t regret it!
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