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D4 OTAVALO Otavalo is an Indian town located in a beautiful mountain region, north of Quito on the Pan-American Highway. The Indians of this region are famous for the weaving of textiles, which has a history of 4000 years and the town boasts of a great market, where you can buy or admire their work. Main market day is Saturday but in the Plaza del Poncho are always wares on sale for tourists. The town is surrounded by beautiful scenery with mountain peaks and lakes. One of the most impressive lakes is Cuicocha located at 3200m at the foot of Cotacachi, a 4939 m high volcano, which we visit on this trip. 9.00 a.m.: We drive north to Otavalo, arriving there after a 2 ½ hour trip. We spend a couple of hours visiting the town and its stands and shops full of Indian artisan crafts. Apart from the famous textiles you are also able to buy other interesting crafts, like pottery, woodcarvings, etc... 1.00 p.m.: We continue our trip and arrive at the town of Cotacachi which is famous for its leather work. At the 10 de Agosto street most of the little shops are located and we stop there for a short while for shopping and getting to know the various leather wares for sale. 2.00 p.m.: We arrive at the Laguna Cuicocha, which lies at an altitude of 3200m, 18 km past the town of Cotacachi. The lake which formed in this eroded old volcanic crater is 200m deep with 3 islands sticking out in the middle, which are lava domes. Here you have the option of taking a trip in small boats on the lake around the islands or hiking along the crater rim for great views. 4.00 p.m.: Return to Quito by way of Cayambe where we stop quickly at the equator line monument. We arrive back in Quito at 7.00 pm.
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