D8  SAQUISALI





We visit the market in Saquisalí on Thursday. On that day the Indians from the surrounding mountain areas gather in this town, 2 hours south of Quito, to sell, buy and barter their animals and goods. This market is not as touristy as Otavalo and therefore preferred by some travelers. But it still offers opportunity for traveler's to buy souvenirs to take home.




7.00 a.m.:      We leave Quito at that time and head south on the Pan-American Highway to Saquisali, which is a little bit to the west of the highway and Latacunga.
 We arrive there after a 1 and half drive and  our first stop is the animal market, which is located on the outskirts, just before entering the town. There the people gather to buy and sell cattle, horses, pigs, chickens and other animals and we watch the negotiating and appraising of the animals and other noisy activities.



10.00 a.m.:    We continue to the town center, where the produce market takes place. The streets are full of outside stalls, which sell everything from clothing, handicrafts, house wares to almost any useful article. On the walk through the streets, I will explain the different products on sale and let you worry about the bargains you might get there. Negotiating a better price is a must and expected from you. We also stop at the fruit and vegetable market so you can learn all about the rich diversity present in the country.



1.00 p.m.:     We leave the busy market behind us and drive to the Hacienda
La Cienaga, where we stop for lunch and a chance for you to explore this huge complex with its own church. In the colonial times this hacienda was one of the largest in Ecuador and played host to famous guests like Charles Marie de la Condamine, Alexander von Humboldt and many Ecuadorian presidents.



3.00 p.m.:    You have the option of lunch there and afterwards we return to Quito, where we arrive later in the afternoon.



 

PICTURES



D1  Colonial Quito


D2  Mitad del Mundo


D3  Cochasqui


D4  Otavalo


D5  Pahuma


D6  Papallacta


D7  Pujili





Day Trips



D8  Saquisali


D9  Toaza - Blanco


D10  Guayllabamba


D11  Pichincha


D12  Pasochoa


D13  Cotopaxi


D14  Mindo




PICTURES

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