OTAVALO COMMUNITY TOURISM 2 DAYS

Community-based tourism is tourism in which local (often rural) residents invite people to visit their communities, and, even, to sleep in their homes. Community tourism is a way to support communities in the Andes and a way to raise awareness of their different activities. With this option you have the opportunity to discover the culture of the Otavaleños and their lifestyle. This promises to be a unique opportunity to share an unforgettable experience to discover several indigenous villages and their different types of crafts, and, also, you will visit the Peguche Waterfall and the lake, Cuicocha.

Day 1 Otavalo market and local family home stay.

As we began our excursion to the Northern Andes of Ecuador, we are able to appreciate the diversity of weather conditions that this small country has to offer you. After 30 minutes of travel, we will arrive in the arid and dry regions of the Guayllabamba Valley. We will continue our exploration until Otavalo, and, on the way we can look at beautiful snow-capped volcanoes, if the weather permits, the most notable volcano in the region is Cayambe (5800 m.).

Once in the Otavalo Valley you will be greeted by the impressive Imbabura Volcano and San Pablo Lake with stunning water and mountain views, a quick stop for a photo is worth the cost. At the Otavalo market, artisans present their most colorful and magnificent textiles. This range of intense colors has made Otavalo known as the “rainbow market”. Textiles, rugs, carpets with typical Andian designs, hats and scarves, as well as jewelry, and ceramic crafts, are among the products offered.

After lunch, you will share good times and the hospitality of your host family, while learning about their indigenous culture and traditions. Here your host family receives you in your room (private bathroom, hot water), and invites you to participate in their daily activities (there is no fixed schedule, or, an activity plan, the idea is to see, and learn more about daily life within the family/community). Later, you will enjoy dinner using fresh ingredients from the house (organic garden) with your host family. After having a good night’s sleep and a delicious breakfast, you will have some time for a morning activity before your return.

Day 2 Indigenous Villages and Cuicocha Crater Lake.

Time to visit several indigenous villages, learn about the different types of crafts, and time to visit the Peguche Waterfall and Cuicocha Lake.

On this day we visit several indigenous villages, where we learn about the different types of crafts and how they are made; for example, totora reed mats, musical instruments, sheep wool weavings and seed jewelry. The tour also includes a visit to the town of Cotacachi, which is famous for its leather goods. Finally, we will head to the spectacular Cuicocha Lake within the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve and return to Quito late in the afternoon.

INDIGENOUS MARKET, OTAVALO (1 day)

Otavalo is a well-known market, in Ecuador and around the world, through its exceptional craftsmanship.

A major aspect of the ethnic identity of the ´´Otavalos´´ Indians is their costume. For men, this consists of a blue poncho, white shirt and mid-calf pants, a fedora-type hat and their hair combed into a long braid. The women are dressed in embroidered blouses, blue skirts and shawls as well as several layers of gold necklaces and red beaded bracelets. Both men and women wear “alpargatas”, a type of sandal.

Leaving Quito towards the North via Cayambe, you can observe the Cayambe Volcano, in favorable weather. A short break at the edge of Lake San Pablo to continue towards Otavalo. Visit to the market and free time to do business with the Indians. After lunch, you will continue your journey to Cotacachi (known for its leather crafts), and Quicocha where you will take the last photos of the day before returning to Quito.