After breakfast at the hotel you will be picked up at 08h00, and driven north from Quito via the Pan-American Highway towards Cayambe. Your first stop will be at the Quitsato Sundial, located exactly on the equator. This impressive design consists of a circular platform, with a mosaic of light and dark pebbles creating the 8-pointed star pattern detail. From this huge clock face, your guide will show you how to read information such as the time, the month, or identify the solstices and equinoxes. The word quitsato means ‘centre of the world’ in the language of the Tsáchila people, and one of the goals of the monument is to link Ecuador’s modern identity as an equatorial nation to the ancient cultures of the region. Your tour will continue to via the beautiful San Pablo Lake for a set of spectacular views of the surrounding volcanic peaks.
Your exciting day-trip culminates at Otavalo, made famous by their incredible market, arguably one of the best in Latin America. On Saturdays and Wednesdays, you’ll find this popular market, filled with unique cultures and traditions, in full cry. Marvel at the Otavaleño Indians as they skilfully create their hand-knitted selection. Lose yourself in the colourful array of handcrafts, antiques, jewellery, embroidered clothing, and the signature range of knitted items. As you wander down meandering streets, you’ll see vibrant textiles draped over walls, stalls selling ceramic fried eggs, herbal remedies, decorative ponchos, and kaleidoscopic sweets. Stroll past, and, if you wish, pop into the main fruit, vegetable and meat market.
years