Are local craft and product
markets high on your travel expectations? Otavalo, a small
city and a bus ride of just over two hours from Quito,
is the place for you. Otavalo is by far the most famous
indigenous market in Ecuador. Villagers from surrounding
areas have been bringing their wares down from the hills
to the Otavalo market
for hundreds of years, spending a day filled with bartering,
exchanging, selling, and socializing. Today, the market
draws huge crowds of locals and visitors every Saturday.
Musical instruments, dolls, jewelry, produce, crafts of
all sorts -- you'll find it at the market.
Otavalo is especially known for weavings and the people
have been accomplished weavers for centuries. You'll discover
an array of tapestries and clothes at the market and an
almost unbelievable array of colors. A large portion of
the market is devoted to tourists, and people flood the
streets, making for a circus atmosphere. At a quieter
time, you can visit the workshops of the hard-working
weavers, working on backstrap and Spanish treadle looms,
along with other artisans at work making hats, weaving
straw mats, and knitting sweaters.
During the week, the city returns to normal, and people
gather on the town square. A few markets
operate on a smaller scale, and natives go about their
business while visitors look to nearby lake and mountain
sites in the beautiful countryside surrounding Otavalo.
You can easily get to several lakes from Otavalo, including
Lago de San Pablo
just a few miles away. On its shore live many weaving
families who celebrate colorful fiestas. About four hours
away from Otavalo are three lakes, known as Lagunas de
Mojanda. Nestled among rolling mountains, with amazing
views of mountaintops from numerous trails and idyllic
waterfalls, these lakes have spurned a number of lodges
and resorts that offer numerous ways to keep you active
outdoors.
At the Casa Mojanda
Inn and Farm, for instance, you can immerse yourself
in the splendid natural setting by walking, horseback
riding or biking on mountain trails. The rooms
are spacious and decorated nicely with local furnishings.
And each guest visit supports the Mojanda Foundation,
committed to ecological tourism and community and conservation
projects.
Upon your return to Otavalo, if you want to stay a day
or so longer a good choice would be one of the converted
haciendas more costly than in-town accommodations, but
well worth it. You'll enjoy beautiful grounds, colonial
architecture, elegant furnishings and opportunities for
expeditions around the countryside on horseback or hiking
forays.
Things to avoid: Pickpockets and bag slashers. (Keep
your belongings hidden from view and beware that a bag
stuffed full of goods is a target, particularly on Saturday
night buses returning to Quito.)
