This full-day excursion is the perfect way to experience the charm of Ecuador's Otavalo Market and surrounding areas. Explore Otavalo, a vibrant city surrounded by picturesque mountains, to wander the market and admire all of its beautiful handicrafts. Continue to the nearby town of Cotacachi to browse the leather shops before a visit to Peguche Waterfall or Cuicocha Lake on the way back to Quito.
A very varied trip with a full and exciting itinerary. So much to see and such interesting places to visit. All of our guides had extensive knowledge and Myriam in particular went beyond expectation to provide us with a deep insight into the social and economic history of this exciting country.
A dream made real!
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Guayaquil, Sierra Negra
Quito, Guayaquil, Sierra Negra, Isla Santa Cruz, Santa Fe Island, Tortuga Bay, Otavalo, Laguna Cuicocha, Mindo, Cotopaxi National Park, Galapagos Islands, Puerto Villamil
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This was one of the best "Discovery" tours I have been on with Explore. It felt like a real adventure, with the excursions to the volcanoes Cotopaxi and Chimborazo and the boat trips on the Napo river, a tributary of the Amazon. Our tour leader, Fabian, and driver, William, were both excellent. The accommodation was generally very good, with the exception being the Riobamba hotel. I find the comments by a previous reviewer about the current power outages in Ecuador to be absurd. The outages were a mild inconvenience (to us - although I pity the Ecuadorian people) but there were absolutely no security or food safety issues as a result. When I travel in (e.g.) South America I don't expect everything to be just like it is in my cosy Western European home! My one criticism of this trip is that there were far too many shopping stops that were thinly disguised as "cultural visits" - I counted at least ten of these. The number should be at least halved. I mean, what on earth do painted balsa wood parrots have to do with the culture of Ecuador? Or carved nut kernels, for that matter?
Embark on an unforgettable 7 day journey through Ecuador, from the colonial charm of Quito to the breathtaking Cotopaxi volcano. Explore lush cloud forests, ancient Inca ruins, and vibrant indigenous markets. Immerse yourself in local traditions, with hands-on experiences like preparing traditional dishes with women from the Andes and discovering the secrets of Ecuador’s exquisite textiles and chocolate. Relax in natural hot springs, hike around crater lakes, and enjoy birdwatching in some of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
Embark on a 13-day tour of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, beginning in the historic capital of Quito. Explore the Cotopaxi volcano, hike around crater lakes, and immerse yourself in local traditions, including cooking with Andean women and discovering Ecuador’s textiles and chocolate. Then, travel to the Galapagos Islands, where you'll see giant tortoises on Santa Cruz, snorkel with sea lions, and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Spot wildlife like blue-footed boobies and manta rays on San Cristobal and Isla Lobos, before returning to Quito.
