Otavalo Market, Cotacachi and Cuicocha beautiful villages tour - Ask for a quotation if you are more than 2 people.

We had a day between returning from the Amazon and our late night flight home. Gus arranged a tour for us to visit Otavalo and Cotacachi and we enjoyed visiting these small towns and shopping at the local markets. He took care of everything and we arrived back at the airport prior to our flight home after enjoying a day touring instead of sitting at the airport.

First Otavalo Market Our day began with a scenic drive through the Andean highlands, where volcanoes and rolling green hills set the stage. From the moment we arrived, I was swept up in a swirl of color and sound Handwoven textiles in every hue imaginable—ponchos, scarves, blankets, and table runners. Jewelry of all types was available for purchase. The artisans were warm and welcoming, happy to share the stories behind their crafts. I left with a deeper appreciation for Ecuador’s indigenous heritage. On to Cotacachi – which is a haven for high-quality, handcrafted leather goods. We strolled down the town’s main street, where every shop window gleamed with, handmade boots and shoes, leather handbags and wallets, Jackets, belts, and accessories—and all very reasonably priced. Our last stop was at a rose greenhouse for a tour. A must include.

Gustavo was an outstanding, engaging guide - We booked a custom all-day tour of the indigenous villages/culture north of Quito. We briefly visited the Otavala market then went off the beaten path where fewer tourist travel. He is a wealth of information on Ecuador culture, politics, geography, and history. I highly recommend Gustavo and will hire him again to see other areas of Ecuador next time we visit.

Camille S.United States

Our family had a wonderful time on our tour with Gus! He set up a custom tour for us to visit the Quitsato equator line, Otavalo market, Peguche waterfall, and Cuicocha crater lake. Gus also took us to a delicious restaurant to try some guinea pig! He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. We highly recommend Gus as a tour guide!

Gus is brilliant. You won't find better.

Gustavo arrived promptly and was knowledgeable and informative. He was a safe driver and was able to converse while driving in heavy traffic. He seems to love his work. He even squeezed in an extra stop—as we were tracking ahead of schedule. I would recommend the tour. However, the order of stops could possibly be reorganized to account for the "siesta" closing times of some vendors in Cotacachi. The day was pleasant and full of everything we were expecting.