From Quito to Otavalo there is a 2 hour bus ride, but in our tour we visit 6 different attractions between Quito and Otavalo in one day. Our trip is by the Panamericana Norte to get to the Quitsato Sundial, located in the Cayambe canton, named after the snow-capped mountain present in the place. This cultural site built to measure the solstices and equinoxes, in pre-Hispanic times, also considered the “other half of the world”, since the equator or equinoctial line crosses this place and half of the top of the snowy Cayambe. Its people live from livestock, agriculture, a sector dedicated to harvesting roses for export. To know its gastronomy we have a stop to have a cup of Ecuadorian coffee or chocolate with bizcochos; which are like a type of small breads made in oven with an incomparable flavor and the best of all that we will enter to see its elaboration process. Our next place to visit is Otavalo. It is located in the province of Imbabura known as the Province of the Lakes, a few minutes to reach our main destination, we have a viewpoint towards the lagoon of San Pablo and in the background the Imbabura hill, to decorate the landscape. Then we arrive at the largest and most important indigenous handicraft market in South America, it is possible to visit this market every day of the week.
But in our 1 day tour we coincide with the days of the biggest fair where all the artisans gather in the Plaza de los Ponchos, here we have 2 hours to shop and then head to Cotacachi. Here we will find another handicraft market specializing in leather products, being a small place we have 45 minutes. Our last place is the Cuicocha Lagoon located at 3068m (10065.62 feet) in an active volcanic crater with islets or domes and plant observation.
-Departure from Plaza Foch at 7:15 AM (Reina Victoria and Mariscal Foch)
-Departure from Plaza San Blas at 7:30 AM (Francisco de Caldas and Av. Pichincha).
-Quitsato solar clock.
-Cayambe biscuit factory (Optional breakfast).
-Visit the viewpoint of Lake San Pablo.
-Plaza de Ponchos.
-Lunch.
-Visit to the Cuicocha Lagoon.
-Visit to the town of Cotacachi.
-Return to Quito.