OTAVALO AND COTACACHI |
Thursday, October 27, 2005 |
FULL-DAY TOUR TO OTAVALO WITH LUNCH 8:30 AM -5:30 PM
Approximately 2 hours north of Quito, you will reach the "Awakening Valley", home of the Otavalo Indians, a magical land of lakes, snow covered mountains and terraced farmlands. Here you will find South America's most famous indigenous market. The Otavalenios barter in silence, in marked contrast to the raucous noise of other markets. Look for woven textiles, woodcarvings, embroidery, ceramic pots, jewelry, leather work, bread dough figures and more. You will have ample time to visit the famous market and stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets filled with Otavalo Indians wearing blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair.
Lunch is served at the Relais & Chateaux property La Mirage, set in the spectacular valley of Imbabura.
You will return to the hotel in the late afternoon, after stopping in the small village of Cotacachi, known for its leather shops. A short stop in the morning will also be made at a small Equatorial site.
We had dinner at a very nice Italian restaurant
that evening. Marriott was hosting a huge "customer appreciation"
night and when we returned we "helped ourselves" to some dessert.