The Otavalo market, (Sat & Wed.) the most important and famous in southamerica; departure early in the morning, in the way we will visit the beautiful mass-handicrafts of Calderon town, later on we will stop for a few minutes at the San Pablo lake observing the impressive volcano Imbabura ( 4.621 m.) and then we will visit the indigenous market in the centre of Otavalo This is one of the most famous markets in Latinamerica, where the indigenous sell animals, handicrafts, ponchos, tapestries, silver jewellery, panama hats, and food. Lunch on own in a typical Hosteria, then we visit the Cotacachi Town famous for its leather goods, then we continue to enjoy a panoramic view of the volcanic lagoon Cuicocha, then we take a dinghy ride surrounding 2 small volcanic islands in the lagoon, they are inhabited by an endemic spectacled bear!, return to Quito to your Hotel.

OTAVALO BRIEF GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This small town is famous for its friendly people and their Saturday market. The market dates back to pre-Inca times when jungle products were brought up from the eastern lowlands and traded for highland goods. Today's market serves two different groups: locals who buy and barter animals, food and other essentials, and tourists looking for crafts.

The story of the phenomenal success of the Otavaleņo weavers is an intriguing one. The backstrap loom has been used in the area for some 4000 years. The Indians' proficiency as weavers was harshly exploited by the colonialists beginning in 1555 and later by the Ecuadorian landowners who forced them to labor in obrajes (sweatshops), often for 14 or more hours a day. As miserable as this was, it did have the effect of instilling a great knowledge of weaving in the Otavalan people.

In 1917, a local weaver had the idea of copying the Scottish tweeds that were then in vogue. This was so successful that it led to recognition of the skill of the Otavaleņo weavers again. This ability, combined with the Agrarian Reform of 1964 and the people's shrewd business sense, has made the Otavaleņo Indian the most prosperous Indian group in Ecuador. It is difficult to find a town of any size that does not have an Otavaleņo store. The Otavalans also make frequent business trips to neighboring countries and even to North America and Europe.

The goods they sell are undeniably oriented towards the tourist market which has led to recent complaints from 'real travelers' that the market is too 'touristy.' A true measure of the success of this culture is their continuing sense of tribal identity and tradition.

One of the most evident features of the Otavalan cultural integrity is their traditional way of dress. The traditional attire is worn on normal workdays, in their homes, villages and fields. Otavalan men are immediately identified with their long single pigtails, calf-length white pants, rope sandals, reversible gray or blue ponchos, and dark felt hats. The women, too, are very striking. They wear beautifully embroidered blouses, long black skirts and shawls, and interesting folded head cloths, which Otavalans interpret in various ways. The women also wear bright jewels, the most obvious being the many strings of gold-colored, blown-glass beads around their necks and bracelets of long strands of red beads.

The majority of it's inhabitants of the town of Otavalo are whites or mestizos. Most Of the Indians live in the many nearby villages and come in to the city of Otavalo for the Saturday market. Quite a few Indians own stores in Otavalo where you can buy most items if you are unable to come for the market.